Site Open

Butcher Jones Day Use Area

At Butcher Jones, Mesquite trees provide welcome natural shade to picnic units. Butcher Jones features a pleasant nature trail and a gently sloping beach which makes gradual changes in depths adjacent to picnic area. This popular beach/picnic area is one of the most-visited sites on the Tonto National Forest. This accesses Saguaro Lake, which is set in the magnificent Sonoran Desert.

General Information

Year round

Day Use Only

The links below provide additional information on pricing and purchasing information.

Tonto Daily Pass (and Watercraft Sticker, if required). Available at Tonto National Forest Offices and retail vendors (please call for availability).
Tonto Discovery Pass. Available at Tonto National Forest Offices.
Tonto Fee Machine Pass. Please be prepared to pay with DEBIT or CREDIT card.
America the Beautiful Interagency Passes. Available at Tonto National Forest Offices and online at USGS.gov.

Restrictions

No overnight camping, no trailers, no motorized boats in the swimming area (follow buoy markers), glass containers are prohibited, pets must be on a leash, the picnic and beach area fill rapidly in the early spring and summer months. No OHV Access; alternate OHV Access from Pobrecito OHV Staging Area 1/2 mile north on Bush Highway.

Day Use:
$8 per vehicle per day (purchased at Tonto NF Office or Retail Vendor)
$12 per vehicle per day (purchased on-site at Tonto Fee Machine)
$80 per annual
$60 per senior & access annual

Front view of the Mesa Ranger Station building with a clear sky in the background.

Address: 5140 E Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205
Phone: (480) 610-3300
Hours: Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 12:30 p.m.) Passes, permits and products not sold after 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 33.5767655

Longitude: -111.5148951

Directions

This site is 31 miles northeast of Mesa. From Mesa, take State Hwy. 87 for 27 miles. Turn south (right) on Bush Highway/Forest Road (FR) 204 and travel 2 miles to FR 166, and then turn left. Follow FR 166 for 2 miles to the site.

View and download a map.

Parking

Parking can reach capacity on weekends and holidays throughout the summer months. Plan ahead and arrive early, or plan for alternative destinations should the site be full.