Queen Creek amusement park Pecan Lake offers thrills for all ages

The Queen Creek area is one of the fastest-growing communities in the metro Phoenix area. It has a lot going for it, including plenty of shopping and dining (though maybe too many car washes and gyms). But though the town excels in commerce, it's still growing its entertainment options.

The most recent addition is Pecan Lake Entertainment, a 12-acre complex that's sandwiched between bowling alley/movie theater FatCats and Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center. You can’t miss it; its landmark white ropes course accented in blue and gold extends high above the ground, and at night, the twisty go-kart track lights up in a brilliant neon blue.

Pecan Lake was the name of the manmade body of water on the property’s botanical gardens, which were planted about five years ago. Co-owner Tim Campbell and his associates added the entertainment component a few years later, but kept the name.

Campbell says the gardens were a popular draw, “but we had a lot more land and wanted to figure out a way to involve the community and families. We decided adding good food and attractions would allow us to complete the vision that we had.”

That vision was more than just building another commercial space to fill in an area that was already booming.

“The two founders and co-owners of Pecan Lake have been in Queen Creek for years,” Campbell explains. “We wanted to do something in our backyard that would be a benefit to the community and to our friends and neighbors and also something that would bring people to the community so they could see it firsthand.” He adds that Queen Creek has favorable zoning for a venture like Pecan Lake, and it was nice to have the local government’s support.


If you can't find something fun to do at Pecan Lake, you probably don't like fun. The list of amenities is long; in addition to the aforementioned go-karts and rope course, visitors can play games in the arcade, enjoy the 21-hole putting course, throw axes, try out virtual reality experience and puzzle their way through three escape rooms.

Campbell is particularly proud of the escape rooms at the park, each of which has a different theme: space, fantasy world and haunted house.

Up next is a new outdoor surfing experience with a surf simulator and a two-story viewing deck, which Campbell says will be open by the spring.

"This will allow us to have year-round activities and more places for people to come and enjoy our summer weather,” he adds.

Speaking of high temperatures, Pecan Lake does its best to combat them with extensive shading and misters all over the property.

“We probably have 30 or 40 just at the putting course,” Campbell says.


When it's time to take a break, guests can take advantage of the food and beverage options. Pecan Lake owns and operates all the food venues throughout the property except for Caldwell County BBQ, which is operated by its owners. Your Pie serves up pizza, wings, pasta, salad and the like, along with gelato and craft beer; SodaRush sells a wide range of beverages plus light snacks; and SkyTime Creamery scoops 14 flavors of ice cream.

For the residents of the southeast Valley, Pecan Lake is a much-needed addition to the community. If it’s successful, it will show that the area is ready for further development in the entertainment space and prove that Queen Creek residents need more than just another retail store or gym to pass the time.

“Pecan Lake Entertainment is unlike any other venue in Arizona,” Campbell says. “There’s literally something for everyone. We have multiple outdoor spaces and fire pits and heaters, so it makes for a perfect afternoon or evening to come enjoy a game on our big screen, do some attractions or just have some good food and hang out.”

Pecan Lake is located at 25004 S. 206th St., Queen Creek. Attractions costs range from $8 to $34. You can get more information by visiting the Pecan Lake Entertainment website.