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Odell Lake Munds Park: Fishing, Kayaking, and the Perfect Cabin Base

Bright open-concept living area at Bluejay Getaway cabin in Munds Park with vaulted wood ceiling and forest views

Description

Plan a Munds Park weekend around Odell Lake: fishing, kayaking, birding, and Crystal Point Trail access, plus pet-friendly cabin stays minutes from the water.

Odell Lake Munds Park: Fishing, Kayaking, and the Perfect Cabin Base

#TLDR

  • Odell Lake is a small reservoir on Munds Creek in Munds Park, about 20 minutes south of Flagstaff and under two hours from Phoenix
  • Public access is concentrated on the southeastern shore in Coconino National Forest; most shoreline is private
  • Popular for crappie, northern pike, bullhead catfish, kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and birdwatching (including bald eagles)
  • Crystal Point Trail and the wider Munds Park trail network connect pine forest hikes to the lake area
  • Bluejay Getaway (sleeps 12) and Munds Park Cozy Cabin (sleeps 9) are pet-friendly cabin bases a short drive from the trailheads

Table of Contents

What Is Odell Lake?

Odell Lake is a small, shallow reservoir in Munds Park, Arizona, formed by an earthen dam on Munds Creek. Pinewood Country Club maintains the lake and dam. Most of the shoreline is private; the southeastern shore falls under Coconino National Forest jurisdiction and is the public side visitors should use.

Locals treat Odell Lake as a neighborhood gem. Travelers on I-17 often pass Exit 322 without knowing a quiet pine-forest reservoir sits a few minutes off the freeway. That low profile is part of the appeal: cooler air at roughly 6,500 feet, ponderosa shade, and a place to fish or paddle without a full-day expedition.

For Phoenix-area families, pet owners, and groups, the lake pairs best with a cabin base in Munds Park. You fish early, hike mid-morning, nap on the deck, then return for golden hour on the water or a fire pit evening at the cabin.

How to Get There From Phoenix and Flagstaff

From Phoenix: Drive I-17 north roughly 127 miles to Exit 322 (Munds Park / Pinewood Boulevard). Plan about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. Elevation climbs from about 1,100 feet in the valley to the mid-6,000s in the pines, so temperatures often run 20-30 degrees cooler than the valley.

From Flagstaff: Munds Park sits about 20-21 miles south on I-17, typically a 20-25 minute drive. 5enses Magazine notes Munds Park as just over the county line south of Flagstaff, which matches how most day-trippers sequence the drive.

Trail access note: Hikers often reach the lake area via the Munds Park trail system. One documented route starts at the Iron Springs trailhead: from Exit 322, continue on Pinewood Boulevard / Forest Road 240, turn onto Crestline Road (becomes Oak Drive), then Iron Springs Road to the trailhead gate. Details and distances appear in the 5enses Odell Lake hike write-up. Always confirm current trailhead conditions with Munds Park Trail Stewards maps.

Fishing at Odell Lake

Odell Lake is a favorite local fishing spot. According to Wikipedia and local recreation roundups such as Munds Park RV Resort’s guide, anglers commonly target:

  • Crappie
  • Northern pike
  • Bullhead catfish

Local cabin guides also mention rainbow trout and bass among species people fish for in the area. Always verify current regulations, bag limits, and license requirements with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before you cast.

Practical fishing tips:

  • Early morning and late evening are the most comfortable windows in summer
  • Bring polarized sunglasses for glare on the water
  • Pack layers; shade and elevation keep mornings cool even when Phoenix is still hot
  • Stay on the public southeastern shore and respect posted private property

A cabin kitchen nearby turns a morning catch (or a grocery-store backup plan) into an easy group dinner. Full kitchens at both of our properties make Munds Park a stronger base than a hotel room with a mini-fridge.

Kayaking, Canoeing, and Shore Time

Beyond fishing, the reservoir supports low-key paddling. Wikipedia’s recreation notes list tubing, kayaking, and canoeing as common uses. The scale is intimate rather than high-speed boating culture. Think quiet water, kids learning to paddle, and a shoreline picnic under the pines.

What to bring:

  • Personal flotation devices for everyone on the water
  • Water shoes for rocky or muddy entries
  • Sun protection (elevation UV is stronger than it feels in the shade)
  • A dry bag for phones and keys
  • Binoculars if you want to switch between paddling and birding

If you do not own a kayak, confirm rental options in the broader Flagstaff-Sedona corridor before you leave home. Many groups simply pack a couple of inflatable kayaks or a canoe on the roof rack for the weekend.

Birdwatching and Wildlife

Odell Lake punches above its size for bird life. Wikipedia notes habitat for migratory and non-migratory birds, including bald eagles. The 5enses Magazine hike report describes osprey over the water, geese, red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds, and a great blue heron on a single visit, plus an empty osprey nest near the approach.

That mix makes the lake a strong stop for families who want something beyond a pure fishing trip. A quiet hour on the public shore with binoculars often delivers more “wow” moments than another crowded overlook on a Sedona weekend.

Dogs are welcome on many surrounding forest trails when leashed, but keep pets under control near nesting birds and other visitors. Both of our cabins are pet-friendly, so the dog can join the cabin half of the weekend even if a particular shoreline stretch is better without pets underfoot.

Hike In: Crystal Point and the Munds Park Trails

One of the best ways to experience Odell Lake is on foot through the ponderosa forest.

Crystal Point Trail is the signature local hike. HikeArizona describes Crystal Point as a short, family-friendly option when you want about an hour near Munds Park. AllTrails also lists longer out-and-back routings in the same trail complex for hikers who want more miles. Expect pine cover, rocky sections near the point, and views that reward the climb.

The broader Munds Park system includes many miles of multi-use trail. 5enses credits the Munds Park Trail Stewards with maintenance across a network often described as 100+ miles of trails. Trailforks and steward maps list connectors such as routes near FR 240, Iron Springs, and Janice Place. Start planning with:

Hiker notes:

  • Cell service can be patchy; download offline maps
  • Monsoon afternoons (roughly July through September) can bring fast storms. Start early
  • Leashed dogs are common on these forest trails; pack water for pets
  • Pair a morning hike with an afternoon lake session so kids (and adults) get both mileage and water time

For a deeper trail-by-trail breakdown, see our guide on best hiking near Munds Park.

Practical Rules: Public Shore vs Private Property

This is the detail that saves awkward conversations.

Most of Odell Lake’s shoreline is private property tied to the Pinewood community and country club. Wikipedia and local guides stress that the publicly accessible stretch is on the southeastern shore under forest jurisdiction. Stay there. Do not cut across fenced yards or private docks.

The same respect applies on approach hikes: stay on marked trails, park only in legal pull-offs, and leave gates as you found them. The Munds Park Trail Stewards exist partly to keep multi-use access safe and sustainable for residents and visitors.

Build a Full Munds Park Weekend Around the Lake

Here is a simple two-night structure that works for Phoenix groups:

Friday evening: Drive up after work or school. Unpack at the cabin, grill or cook in the full kitchen, and settle under the pines. No lake required on night one. The temperature drop is the win.

Saturday morning: Fish or paddle Odell Lake early while the water is calm. Mid-morning, hike Crystal Point or a shorter forest connector. Afternoon: cabin downtime (decks, games, naps). Optional evening return to the public shore for birds and photos.

Sunday: Easy coffee-and-deck morning, short neighborhood walk with the dog, then a day trip north to Flagstaff or south toward Sedona and Oak Creek if energy remains. Drive home late afternoon.

Want a tighter hour-by-hour plan? Our weekend itinerary for Munds Park walks through a full 48 hours. For Sedona, Flagstaff, and Oak Creek sequencing from the same base, use the day trips from Munds Park guide.

Seasonal framing (no holiday names needed): Late summer and early fall are prime for lake-and-trail weekends. Peak season dates fill fast. If the cabin is the bottleneck, book the lodging first, then lock fishing licenses and any gear rentals.

Where to Stay Near Odell Lake

Day-tripping from Phoenix is possible. Overnighting is better. Early lake access, a real kitchen, and a private deck after the trails change the whole trip.

Sherry's Munds Park Cabins offers two Superhost properties in the community:

Bluejay Getaway

  • Sleeps 12
  • 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
  • Pet-friendly
  • Wraparound decks, outdoor fire table, large living areas for groups
  • Ideal when two families or a big friend group share one booking

Munds Park Cozy Cabin

  • Sleeps 9
  • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
  • Pet-friendly
  • Signature stone fireplace, covered deck, strong primary-suite balcony views
  • Ideal for families and smaller crews who still want space to spread out

Both cabins sit in the pines with easy access to local trailheads and a short hop to Odell Lake’s public shore. Book direct at sherrysmundsparkcabins.com for the best rate and direct communication with Sherry and Mike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Odell Lake open to the public?

Yes, with limits. The southeastern shore under Coconino National Forest is the public access area. Most other shoreline is private. Stay on the public side and respect fencing and posted signs. (Wikipedia)

What fish are in Odell Lake?

Commonly cited species include crappie, northern pike, and bullhead catfish. Confirm current stocking and regulations with Arizona Game and Fish before you go.

Can I kayak on Odell Lake?

Yes. Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing are established uses on this small reservoir. Bring PFDs and use legal access points only.

How hard is the Crystal Point hike?

Crystal Point works well for families and shorter outings; longer loop or out-and-back options in the same trail system add mileage for stronger hikers. Check HikeArizona and AllTrails for current route stats and conditions.

Are dogs allowed?

Leashed dogs are common on Munds Park forest trails. At the lake, keep pets controlled and off private shoreline. Both Bluejay Getaway and Munds Park Cozy Cabin are pet-friendly.

How far is Odell Lake from Phoenix?

Munds Park is about 127 miles north of Phoenix via I-17 (roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours). The lake sits inside the community a short drive from Exit 322.

Ready to Base Your Lake Weekend in the Pines?

Odell Lake is small on purpose. It is not a mega-marina destination. It is a quiet reservoir where you can fish at sunrise, spot an osprey by mid-morning, hike Crystal Point before lunch, and still make it back to a private cabin deck while the pines cool the afternoon air.

That rhythm is why Munds Park works so well as a base: lake, trails, Sedona and Flagstaff day trips, and a real home to return to each night.

Check availability and book direct at SherrysMundsParkCabins.com. Bluejay Getaway sleeps 12, Munds Park Cozy Cabin sleeps 9, both pet-friendly. Peak season dates fill fast.

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