Rent Cars from Local Owners in Lakeside

About Lakeside Car Rentals

Lakeside is the western half of Pinetop-Lakeside, a paired White Mountains town that sits at 7,000 ft on the edge of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Phoenix residents drive 3.5 hours up here every summer for cool air (it's typically 30°F cooler than the Valley) and every winter for snow. The whole region is a year-round outdoor playground — alpine lakes for trout fishing, the 180-mile White Mountain Trail System for hiking and mountain biking, and snowmobiling, cross-country, and ice fishing in winter. With ItWhip, locals deliver to Show Low Regional Airport (10 min north) or your White Mountains cabin / Airbnb. Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is about 3.5 hours south — most guests fly into PHX and drive up. SUVs and AWD are strongly preferred — the elevation, snow chains required during winter storms, and dirt forest service roads to remote campgrounds and trailheads all reward clearance and traction. Sunrise Park Resort, Arizona's largest ski resort, is about 50 minutes east — three mountains, 65 runs, and the state's only lift-served downhill mountain biking in summer. 2026 events: Sunrise Park Resort 2026/27 winter season opens late November (passes already on sale). Summer brings the Pinetop-Lakeside Bluegrass Festival, White Mountain Native American Art Festival, the Run to the Pines Car Show, and weekly farmers markets. Driving tip: AZ-260 between Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside is the main artery — expect snow and ice Dec–Feb. Carry chains, check ADOT roads conditions, and slow down on the bridges (they freeze first).

• •AWD/4WD critical for winter snow chains and forest service roads
• •Locals know the lake and trail access points
• •Easy hub for Sunrise skiing, summer hiking, and Greer cabins
• •Cars come pre-equipped for elevation and snow conditions