Water Activities

Choose from the following to find a site:

• Boating - Motorized
• Boating - Non-Motorized
• Swimming
• Tubing
• Waterskiing

Plan Ahead, many sites are filled to capacity by 10am on weekends.  Be prepared for increased traffic on highways near lakes and rivers.  

• All traffic pattern on the Tonto National Forest Reservoirs is counter-clockwise,
  • 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 (some restrictions).
• Be weather wise:
  • choppy waters can suddenly appear, as can lightning. 
  • Following thunderstorms in the summer and snowmelt runoff in the spring, a considerable rise in water levels can occur.
• Alcohol and boats are a deadly combination,
  • DUI laws apply to waterways as well as to roads.