Fun Things to do in Show Low, Arizona
Show Low, Arizona, is located in the White Mountains with an elevation of 6400 ft, perfect for finding cooler summer temperatures and snow in the winter months. The Fall brings beautiful changing leaves in reds and yellows, and in Spring you’ll find days warm enough for hiking and evenings cool enough for lounging in front of the fire place.
Summer temperatures in Show Low are in the low to mid-80’s, and the city averages 18.5 inches of snow in the winter. In the Spring, temps can start getting into the 60s by April, and in the Fall it stays warm until late October.
Every season is a great time to visit Show Low, so the best time of year to visit really depends on what type of adventure you are looking for!
Ready to plan your escape? I’ve got the best list of fun things to do in Show Low in all seasons!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SHOW LOW AZ
Grab a bite and play cornhole at The House
The House is a really fun place to go hang out with your family and enjoy the beautiful Show Low summer weather. They have a big open yard area with corn hole, a stage for local musicians, and plenty of seating. In the past they have also hosted movies in the yard, a great way to keep the kids entertained while Mom and Dad enjoy one of the many specialty cocktails The House serves up. They serve standard American fare with a twist. Donut burger anyone?
COOL OFF WITH ice cream at The Red Barn Creamery
On the same property as The House, the Red Barn Creamery is the best place in Show Low for homemade ice cream. They even have dairy-free flavors! Stop by after your afternoon hike or grab dessert after dinner at The House.
DINE IN OR TAKE OUT FROM THE PIZZA FACTORY
The Pizza Factory in Show Low is a great place to go and feed a hungry family. They have delicious customizable pizzas as well as yummy breadsticks. If you dine in there is an arcade to keep the kids busy, but they also offer takeout and delivery.
have lunch at Persnikkity’s Cafe
Persnikkity’s is hands-down our favorite place for lunch in Show Low. Serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and cupcakes, this quaint little restaurant is great for eating in or take-out. Some of my favorites on the menu are the blackened salmon sandwich, falafel pita, and turkey avocado burger. They have lots of burgers and a wide variety of choices sure to please everyone in your family. Definitely get the waffle-cut sweet potato fries as your side!
Best outdoor activities in Show Low
Go Fishing at a local lake
Show Low has several lakes and streams that are great for fishing. Keep in mind that you need a fishing license (even kids if they are 10-17), and some areas have limits on what you can keep. The best ones to try are Show Low Creek Meadow, Fool Hollow Lake (inside Fool Hollow State Park), and Show Low Lake. There’s also the Silver Creek fish hatchery where you can fish or just take a a tour and learn about the fish that are stocked in local lakes. Click here for a full list of fishing spots in the White Mountains.
What kind of fish can you catch in Show Low? Show Low Lake has the best walleye fishing in Arizona. Some of the other fish that can be caught in Show Low waters include Rainbow Trout, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Pike.
go camping at Fool Hollow or Show Low Lake
Show Low has two main campgrounds, Fool Hollow and Show Low Lake. Both have tent camping as well as RV sites. Fool Hollow has tent sites right along the lake and the view is amazing. You can make reservations for Show Low Lake campground here and here for Fool Hollow.
Play a round of Frisbee Golf
Show Low has two frisbee golf courses, one at Show Low City Park and one at Show Low Bluff Park. I’ve never seen them super busy, so as long as you respect any serious players on the course I think you’d be fine to try it out with your family. Best of all, it’s free!
Rent a Boat or Kayak
Head over to Fool Hollow or Show Low Lake to rent a boat, kayak, or canoe. You can even take a guided pontoon boat tour and learn about the history of Fool Hollow. To make reservations for Fool Hollow, contact J & T’s Wild-life Outdoors. For Show Low Lake, you’ll need to contact the campground.
take your family for a hike
The White Mountains of Arizona are full of scenic hikes for beginners to advanced hikers. Some of our favorite family hiking spots in Show Low include Show Low Bluff, Buena Vista Trail, Pintail Wetlands Nature Trail, and Fool Hollow Lake Trail (fee use area).
Looking for things to do with dogs in Show Low? Hiking is your best bet! All of the trails I listed are family-friendly and dog-friendly as well. Be sure to check out our shopping list of essentials for hiking with kids and dogs!
For a full list of trails in the White Mountain Trail System, check out this handy map.
explore trails on your Mountain Bike
Grab your mountain bikes and hit the Buena Vista trail for a scenic ride where you might even encounter wild horses!
Ride the Trails in an ATV
The Maverick Trail starts in the nearby town of Clay Springs and winds 60 miles through the rugged terrain of the ponderosa pine forest all the way to Pinetop.
Golf in the ponderosa pines
Play a round of golf at one of Show Low’s public golf courses, Silver Creek or Bison Golf Club. Both offer an 18 hold Championship course suitable for all levels.
EXPLORE WHILE GEOCACHING
Geocaching is family-friendly activity that I always recommend for exploring new areas! Geocaches can be found in public areas or off the beaten path but will always lead you to an area you probably never would have gone to otherwise! Be sure to check out my Geocaching for Beginner’s guide if you are new to geocaching!
Keep an eye out for wildlife
One of the things I love most about Show Low is the amount of wildlife we see every time we visit. We’ve seen wild horses, elk, mule deer, jackrabbits, grey squirrels, javelina, skunks, tarantulas (yep!), foxes, lots of aquatic birds, osprey, blue birds, blue jays, and quite a few different types of snakes. Though I have not personally encountered a bear or mountain lion, they are frequently spotted in the woods and even wandering through neighborhoods.
What’s the best way to see wildlife in Show Low? Hit the trails. The further into the woods and away from traffic you go the better your chance is of seeing something, but we’ve run into many of these animals just walking in a neighborhood (including elk, javelina, and deer.) I do recommend picking up some bear spray!
If you’d like to learn more about wildlife in the White Mountains, be sure to visit the White Mountain Nature center in nearby Pinetop-Lakeside.
best indoor activities in show low
go for a swim at Show Low City Aquatic Center
For just a few bucks ($2 kids and $3.50 adults) your family can have some indoor fun at the aquatic center, located next to Show Low City Park. They have a water slide, lap pool, leisure pool and spray fountain. If you’re visiting during the summer, afternoon thunderstorms are common. Having an indoor place for the kids to let out some energy is key! Check their site for current open hours.
visit the Show Low History Museum
This museum is a fun step back in time that is kid-friendly and educational. The mission of the museum is to “collect, preserve and exhibit historical Native and American objects, photographs, books, archival material and works of art pertinent to the White Mountain region of Arizona from 1540 to present day.” Many of the exhibits are hands-on and there even activities just for kids.
Our boys’ favorite part has always been the model train exhibit run by the Silvercreek Railroad Club. If you have train lovers in your family this is not to be missed!
CATCH A MOVIE AT THE SHOW LOW 5 THEATRE
Going to a movie might not be unique or on the top of your vacation to-do list. But when the summer monsoon storms bring rainy afternoons, a movie will seem like a great idea to keep the kids busy. The Show Low 5 theatre shows popular first-run movies, but get there a bit early since seating is limited to just 5 different theaters.
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
SHOW LOW FARMERS MARKET
Looking for a Farmers Market near Show Low with local produce and art? Look no further than Main Street in downtown Show Low. This local farmers market has over 75 vendors selling some of the best local produce and products in the White Mountains. Vendors have to grow or make things themselves, so you won’t find any third party marketers here. The market usually opens just before Memorial Day in May and runs through the end of September. Hours are 9am-1pm.
Show Shoeing and Cross Country Skiing in Winter
Trade in those hiking boots for a pair of snow shoes or cross country skis and hit the same trails you hiked on in the summer. The pure silence of the woods in winter is definitely something to experience!
enjoy trees changing color in fall
My husband and I grew up in the midwest and as desert dwellers we miss fall colors! Show Low is a great place to find beautiful yellow Aspens and red-leaved Maple trees. The best time to catch this fall color is late September to mid-October.
visit the neighboring city of Pinetop-Lakeside
Be sure to check out my guide to Pinetop-Lakeside for even more family friendly White Mountain activities. Pinetop-Lakeside is only a short drive from Show Low and is home to area craft fairs, antique shopping, and a family fun park with go-karts and mini-golf.
