It’s Show Low

Pintail Lake wildlife viewing area

Part of Show Low, our guide to the city’s lakes, trails, parks and downtown.

Pintail Lake is a set of wildlife ponds a few miles north of Show Low on State Route 77, with two viewing blinds and a 3/8-mile nature trail (1/4 mile paved), built from 1977 by Arizona Game and Fish, the Forest Service and the City of Show Low. It is one of the best places near town to watch waterfowl.

2viewing blinds
3/8 mitrail, 1/4 mile paved
1977ponds begun (USFS)
Freeno fee listed
Aerial photo of the Pintail Lake ponds and marshes beside State Route 77 north of Show Low
Pintail Lake’s ponds and marshes north of Show Low, beside State Route 77. USDA National Agriculture Imagery Program aerial, Oct. 28, 2021. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Visiting

DirectionsFrom Show Low take State Route 77 north about 3.3 miles to the Pintail Lake turnoff, turn right, and follow the gravel road to the end (Forest Service)
TrailPintail Wetlands Nature Trail #617: 3/8 mile, 1/4 mile paved, to a covered blind and an open observation deck
FacilitiesNo restroom or water
Also calledThe City calls the trail the Severnson Wildlife Trail, handicapped-accessible, 2.5 miles north of town

The Forest Service describes Pintail as an excellent place to observe and study waterfowl and their habitat, and says bird watchers will be especially interested. The City adds that the viewing area is an outdoor classroom for nearby schools.

Pintail Lake observation site. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What we could not verify

More in Show Low

Questions people ask

Where is Pintail Lake?

A few miles north of Show Low on State Route 77; the Forest Service says the turnoff is about 3.3 miles north, then a gravel road to the end.

Is Pintail Lake good for birding?

Yes. The Forest Service calls it an excellent observation area for waterfowl, with two viewing blinds.

Sources

  1. USDA Forest Service: Pintail Wetlands Nature Trail #617
  2. USDA Forest Service: Pintail Lake Observation Site
  3. City of Show Low: Trails
  4. USGS Geographic Names (geonames map service)

Checked October 22, 2026 by It’s Show Low. Cite this page: It’s Show Low (itsshowlow.com), checked October 22, 2026. Free to quote with a link; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.