Water Activities
Plan ahead! Water activities are very popular on the Tonto. Many sites are filled to capacity by 10am on weekends.
Boating - Motorized
Many people travel to the calm waters of one of the six reservoirs on the Tonto National Forest for relief from the desert heat. These reservoirs offer considerable variation in scenery, size, and type of opportunities.
Some people choose the larger lakes for water skiing and power boating. Others opt for the quiet seclusion of a narrow lake arm extending between two near-vertical canyon walls. The Tonto National Forest has much to offer boating enthusiasts during all four seasons. For more information, please contact the appropriate Ranger Station on the forest. Visit our Safety and Ethics page for more outdoor safety information.
Things to Remember:
- All traffic patterns on the Tonto National Forest Reservoirs are counterclockwise (your right shoulder should be near the closest shore).
- Sailboats, canoes, and rowboats have the right-of-way over motorized boats.
- Many coves are “No Wake” areas; please recognize and obey all buoys.
- Motorized boats are NOT ALLOWED on the flowing portions of the rivers.
- Watch for rapids, submerged rocks, and ‘strainers’ in the flowing portions of the rivers.
- NO GLASS containers are allowed on any Tonto National Forest reservoirs.
- Powerboat races are not allowed on any of the Tonto National Forest Reservoirs.
- Parasailing is allowed ONLY at Roosevelt Lake (with some restrictions).
- Be weather-wise: choppy waters can suddenly appear, as can lightning. Following thunderstorms in the summer and snowmelt runoff in the spring, water levels can considerably rise.
- Alcohol and boats are a deadly combination. DUI laws apply to waterways as well as to roads.
Caution: Lake levels vary daily and are controlled by the Salt River Project (SRP). For current information, phone the SRP at (602) 236-5929 or visit their website at www.srpnet.com. These fluctuations result in rocks and other obstacles near the water surface. Be aware that this involves a degree of risk, and the boat operator assumes all such responsibilities.
To view Arizona Law regarding boating, please visit the Arizona State Legislature site - Chapter 3 "Boating and Water Sports" section. For more general boating and safety information, please visit Arizona Game and Fish Boating website.
Swimming
Drownings happen every year on the Tonto. Please be safe while out in the water. You are responsible for your safety and for the safety of those around you.
- Do not dive into the water. Jumping from cliffs or bridges is dangerous due to shallow water, submerged rocks, trees, or other hazards.
- Choose swimming areas carefully and swim only during low water conditions.
- Always swim with a buddy and in supervised areas.
- Always supervise children closely. Do not read, play cards, talk on the phone, or engage in other distracting activities while watching children in or around water.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming or boating. Drinking can impair judgment and mobility while in the water. Avoid drinking alcohol while supervising children around water.
- Learn to swim. Enroll yourself and your children in swimming classes.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because of the time it might take for emergency services to arrive, your CPR skills can save a life.
- When boating, use life jackets that meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, regardless of the distance to be traveled, the size of the boat, or the boaters' swimming ability.
- Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as water wings, noodles, or inner tubes, instead of life jackets. These are toys and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
- Know the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous to swimmers and boaters.
Search for Water Activities Opportunities
Acacia Day Use Area
Apache Lake
Apache Lake Marina & Resort
Bachelor Cove Shoreline Area
Bagley Flat Campground and Courtesy Dock
Bartlett Flat Shoreline Area
Bartlett Lake Marina
Bartlett Reservoir
Bermuda Flat Shoreline Area
Blue Point Day Use Area