Water Activities
Choose from the following to find a site:
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.