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Val Vista Lakes, Arizona, USA

Val Vista Lakes is a premier lakeside and off-lake community found in the arid climate of south-central Arizona. Located in the Phoenix East Valley, four man-made lakes, four sports parks, a swimming lagoon and spacious clubhouse provide all the ingredients for a resort lifestyle. Over 20 subdivisions are included in this master-planned community ranging from lakeside properties with small docks to luxury apartment rentals. Offering the tranquility…
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    • All About Val Vista Lakes, AZ

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Arizona - Phoenix & Central Region, AZ -

    Val Vista Lakes is a premier lakeside and off-lake community found in the arid climate of south-central Arizona. Located in the Phoenix East Valley, four man-made lakes, four sports parks, a swimming lagoon and spacious clubhouse provide all the ingredients for a resort lifestyle. Over 20 subdivisions are included in this master-planned community ranging from lakeside properties with small docks to luxury apartment rentals. Offering the tranquility of lakeside living close to the vitality of the city, Val Vista Lakes is quickly becoming the place to live.

    The community of Gilbert, in Maricopa County, is home to Val Vista Lakes. This thriving city is one of the fastest growing communities in the United States with a population jumping from 5,717 in 1980 to well over 200,000 in 2009. Originally farm land, Gilbert is named after William “Bobby” Gilbert who supplied the land for a rail line to be constructed between Phoenix and Florence. Known for producing cattle, sheep and enough hay to be known as the “Hay Capital of the World,” the land now holds one of the area’s most affluent communities. Often ranked among the best places to live, Gilbert also takes pride in being one of America’s safest cities with a highly educated population.

    In 1986, as Gilbert’s population figures started to increase, Val Vista Partners completed the construction of four lakes totaling 76 acres and approximately 6 miles of shoreline. Each lake is formed in an “E-type” shape with multiple waterways extending into residential neighborhoods from a lake running one quarter to one third mile in length. Completing the build-out of Val Vista Lakes’ 900 acres took approximately ten years. Water from the Salt River Project irrigation canal was used to fill the lakes. Storm water now provides recharge to Val Vista Lakes. The quality of the water is maintained by an air injection, aeration/mixing system.

    An active lifestyle is made easier with the outstanding facilities available to Val Vista Lakes residents. Biking and hiking trails wind their way through four neighborhood parks. You will find families rooting on their favorite team at Spinnaker Bay Park where a ball field, basketball court and playground offer non-stop fun. Emerald Bay Park and Discovery Park provide soccer fields and playgrounds with Anchor Point Park providing a children’s playground.

    Val Vista Lakes Clubhouse provides a wide selection of exercise and entertainment options. Meeting rooms and banquet facilities are open to residents for clubs and community events. Fitness centers include an eight-court tennis complex, indoor racquetball courts, exercise equipment, and spa. Swimmers will enjoy the junior Olympic swimming pool for leisurely laps or competitive meets. Nearby, the sandy beaches of a swimming lagoon add a touch of the tropics to the desert southwest.

    Each lake in Val Vista Lakes is large enough for boating. Pontoon boats are often used for parties and small sailboats are popular forms of relaxation and entertainment. Power boats are prohibited on this “no wake” lake. Fishing is permitted, although the lakes were built more for aesthetics than for testing your fishing skills.

    Anglers will want to drive about 60 miles northeast of Val Vista Lakes to Theodore Roosevelt Lake in Tonto National Forest. At 19,199 acres, Theodore Roosevelt Lake is the largest reservoir entirely within the boundaries of Arizona. This haven for fishing enthusiasts is home to crappie, carp, sunfish, flathead, channel catfish, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Numerous boat ramps are available along the 112-mile shoreline.

    Tonto National Forest covers almost three million acres of land stretching from the Sonoran Desert to the high plateaus of the Mogollon Rim. Over 900 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails are found within the park. The Forest Service provides maps and published rules for those interested in locating ATV roads and recreational shooting sites. Multiple scenic byways provide excellent day trips for residents of Val Vista Lakes. Those interested in wildlife viewing won’t want to miss the Rocky Mountain Canada geese wintering in Roosevelt Lake Wildlife Viewing Area. Wetland and open water are alive with herons, cormorants, willow flycatchers, bald eagles, ospreys, yellow-billed cuckoo, hooded oriole and summer tanager. With a little luck visitors may catch a glimpse of a deer, black bear, javelina, coyote, gray fox, bobcat or mountain lion wandering through the area.

    For a true taste of the old west Val Vista Lakes residents can drive approximately 70 miles northwest to Wickenburg, Arizona. Touted as one of America’s “true west towns,” Wickenburg captures a glimpse of life as it was in the old west. Come for their Gold Rush Days, tour historic mining camps, ride the ranches or view exhibits at the western museum. Here you can immerse yourself in the culture of the old west while still enjoying an assortment of specialty stores and restaurants in their historic downtown.

    If the city is more your style, residents of Val Vista Lakes will find all the conveniences and services of Phoenix only 20 miles to the northwest. Now the fifth largest city in the United States, Phoenix is home to professional sporting teams, world-class golf courses, nationally recognized museums, botanical gardens and a local zoo. An irresistible assortment of shops, restaurants and services are all within easy driving distance of Val Vista Lakes.

    Part of Arizona’s Phoenix & Central Arizona Tourism Region, Val Vista Lakes is a distinctive community where the desert is redefined as a lakeside paradise. Planned with luxury and leisure in mind, Val Vista Lakes’ real estate properties and occasional vacation rentals offer residents and visitors more than a place to call home. Come to Val Vista Lakes and experience the ultimate in lakeside fine living.

    Things to Do at Val Vista Lakes

    These are some activities in the Val Vista Lakes, AZ area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Swimming Pool
    • Beach
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Forest
    • Museum
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Val Vista Lakes?

    Val Vista Lakes has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Carp
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
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    Find Places to Stay at Val Vista Lakes

    If you’re considering a Val Vista Lakes lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Val Vista Lakes Vacation

    Our interactive Val Vista Lakes lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Val Vista Lakes Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Surface Area: 76 acres

    Shoreline Length: 6 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,261 feet

    Completion Year: 1986

    Val Vista Lakes Map
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