What is There to Do in Alpine?
When visiting or living in Alpine you can choose to enjoy activities such as boating, kayaking, fly and bait fishing, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife and bird watching or just relax sitting on the shore of one of our lakes and streams or sitting in a chair on the porch. Visitors and residents enjoy a slower pace of life in the Alpine area; it’s a place to reflect and rejuvenate. We also have a winter season in which to enjoy snow sports and experience the quiet after a snowfall. There are many activity choices as you can see below:
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ATV Riding
Many National Forest roads in the area provide beautiful adventures for the ATV / off-road vehicle driver. Forest maps are available at the Alpine Ranger District Office. Note that all requirements for helmet use, drivers license, and other safety remain in-place in the National Forest.
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Big and Small Game Hunting
In Arizona we have a diversity of wildlife species. Our local hunting areas are #1 and #27. Big Game includes bear, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, mountain lion, pronghorn antelope, and turkey. Small game includes cottontail rabbit, tree squirrel, migrating game birds, and quail. Predatory fur-bearing mammals include coyote, skunk, fox, bobcat, and raccoon. Hunting and fishing licenses are available online at www.azgfd.gov or at “The Tackle Shop” here in Alpine.
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Bird Watching
The Alpine area has a varied landscape – mountain meadows, streams, lakes, and forests, therefore our bird species, both resident and migrant, are very diverse. For information on our best bird watching locations & what birds you might find there, click here.
An Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest bird list is available online.
Luna Lake has a nesting pair of bald eagles. You can sometimes see the eagles fishing in the lake or soaring in the sky. Other fishing raptors include the osprey. Hummingbirds migrate through this area every spring and summer and depart in the fall. Locally we have five species: broad-tailed, black-chinned, rufous, calliope, and magnificent. Alpine is located along the Rocky Mountain Flyway. A Hummingbird banding demonstration is offered at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area at the end of July each year. It’s a must-see if you’re interested in getting to know more about these fascinating birds.
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Cross-Country Skiing
Depending on snowfall, there is a lot of room to cross country ski and/or snowshoe. Our snow is light, dry, and powdery.
Williams Valley Recreation Area is located on FR 249 about 4.5 miles from US Hwy 191. Check the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest website for additional information.
Hannagan Meadow Lodge offers skis & snowshoes for rent.
Sunrise Ski Resort also has a cross country ski area. Snowshoe rental is available too. Check http://www.sunriseskipark.com for details.
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Cycling
Our hills and elevation of 8,050 make cycling a challenge. Many cycling groups pass through our scenic and hilly country each year. Our roads are well maintained which enhances safety. The Coronado Trail or US Hwy 191 is one of the nation’s premier scenic by-ways.
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Day Trips
Big Lake
Highway 249 is now fully paved from Alpine to highway 273 at Big Lake which takes you back to highway 260. Great fishing is available along the shoreline or boats are available to rent at the lake store. Many National Forest campgrounds are along the lake; some offer full hookups.Blue, AZ (Elevation 5,758′)
- Scenic Drive – 44 mile route
- Pictographs at Blue Crossing Campground
- Follow the Blue River couse
- Picturesque Ranches
- Blue River Fish Hatcheries
Butterfly Lodge & Museum
SE Corner of Hwy. 373 & County Road 1126, Greer, AZ 85927
Phone: (928) 735-7514
Email: bflylodge@aol.com
http://www.butterflylodgemuseum.orgCasa Malpais Museum & Archaeological Site near Springerville, AZ
http://www.wmonline.com/attract/casam.htmCatwalk National Recreational Trail near Glenwood, NM
http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/trailNRT/Catwalk-NM.htmlGlenwood, NM
- Galleries & Shops
- San Francisco Hot Springs
Ghost Mining Town (Mogollon, NM)
Petrified Forest & Painted Desert National Parks
http://www.nps.gov/pefo/Hon-Dah Resort & Casino (Pinetop, AZ)
http://www.hon-dah.com -
Downhill Skiing
Our winter season here in Alpine is perfect for all the great winter sports. Downhill skiing is available Sunrise Ski Resort with multiple chairlifts and one high-speed chair. The area is a 45 minute drive from Alpine.
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El Rio Theatre
El Rio Theatre is located in Springerville and is Arizona’s oldest movie theatre. Completed in 1915, El Rio Theatre originally opened as the Apache Theatre and showed silent flickers on a hand-cranked projector in its debut to the townspeople. In 1937 the name of the theater was changed from the Apache to El Rio which it remains today. The El Rio offers a great family adventure to view current movies in the setting of a historic theater.
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Fly & Bait Fishing
In the Alpine area there are 5 trout fishing lakes – Big Lake, Luna Lake, Nelson Reservoir, Hulsey Lake, and Crescent Lake. There are also various fishing streams – East Fork of the Black River (along FR 276), Little Colorado River, Greer, Sheep’s Crossing, Silver Creek, and West Fork of the Black River Campground.
Flies, PowerBait, worms, fishing poles, and other supplies are available at The Tackle Shop and Alpine Country Store in Alpine. Big Lake and Luna Lake offer boat rentals and fishing/food supplies at their stores onsite. The “Bait, Boats, & Beyond” shop is at Luna Lake.
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Geocaching
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.
There are over 120 geocache sites in and around Alpine. It’s treasure hunting in a wilderness setting.
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Golf
The Alpine Golf and Country Club offers a high elevation, 9-hole golf course set amidst the beauty of the National Forest.
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Hiking
The Alpine Area is surrounded by the 2 million acre Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest which includes the Escudilla Wilderness, Bear Wallow Wilderness & the Blue Range Primitive Area, so there’s plenty of room to roam. Travel on foot cross country, along a Forest Road, or designated trail, far or near, it’s up to you. For US Forest Service maps & brochures, click here.
Escudilla National Recreation Trail
This trail is 6 miles round trip. Trailhead is above 9500 ft elevation & initially takes you through an aspen forest, then opens up for spectacular vistas, then through spruce and fir forest up to the summit of Escudilla Mountain, the third highest peak in Arizona at 10,877 ft. Horseback riding is allowed. For more information, click here. Note: Weather can be erratic, even in summer, with intense sun, wind, rain or snow. Watch for lightning. Thunderstorms develop very quickly. USGS Map: EscudillaAker Lake Trail
This trail is 7 miles round trip. Easy, Elevation 9,100 to 8,700 feet. Trailhead is just south of Hannagan Meadow campground on US Hwy 191. Bicycles allowed. For more information please visit this website. USGS Maps: Hannagan Meadow, Strayhorse.Also, view other trails in the Alpine Ranger District and Springerville District.