Boating - Non-Motorized

Boating - Non-Motorized Areas

• Cave Creek Ranger District

  

   

  Cave Creek Ranger District is the first district on Tonto National Forest. It is located in the farthest left hand corner of the forest, and is notable for the water, hiking, and horseback riding recreation. It consists of over 570,000 acres (approximately 230,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-Desert Grassland, Chaparral, and Pinyon-Juniper types of vegetation. The Verde River flows through this entire district; Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs are located here.

  Watershed protection was one of the most important reasons that the Tonto National Forest was established. Since then, the Salt and Verde rivers have had six dams constructed. While the dammed water is of great value for irrigating fields and for domestic use, it is also very popular with thousands of people who recreate in its waters every year.

  Water recreation ranges from the simple to the sophisticated. Some activities require highly mechanized equipment, while other popular activities only require a swimming suit. Whatever your preferences, the Tonto National Forest has plenty to offer when it comes to water recreation.

  There are also commercial partners who provide a variety of water-based recreation opportunities.

  Contact information:

  Address: 40202 North Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85262
  Phone: (480) 595-3300
  Fax: (480) 595-3346

• Bartlett Flat Shoreline Area
• Bartlett Reservoir
• Box Bar Shoreline Area and River Access Point
• Catfish Point Dispersed Camping Area
• Horseshoe Campground
• Horseshoe Reservoir
• Jojoba Day Use and Motorized Boat Launch
• Mesquite Campground
• Needle Rock Day Use Area and Non-Motorized Beach
• Ocotillo Boat Launch
• Rattlesnake Cove Day Use Area
• Riverside Campground
• SB Cove Shoreline Area
• Sheeps Bridge
• Yellow Cliffs Day Use and Motorized Boat Launch
• Mesa Ranger District

  

  The Mesa Ranger District is located north and east of the town of Apache Junction, and consists of approximately 430,000 acres (approximately 170,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-desert Grassland, Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper types of vegetation as well as a small area of Ponderosa Pine. The very popular Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake are located on this district. Mesa Ranger District is notable for its extremely popular water activities. Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake provide an excellent opportunity to use both motorized and non-motorized boats. The Salt River that cuts through the Mesa Ranger District is the home of Arizona’s famous Salt River Tubing. During summer months, this district is very populated because of the close proximity to the busy city and easy access to fun recreation opportunities.

  Contact Information:

  Address: 5140 E. Ingram St., Mesa, Arizona 85205
  Phone: (480) 610-3300
  Fax: (480) 610-3346

• Acacia Day Use Area
• Bagley Flat Campground and Boat Dock
• Blue Point Day Use Area
• Boulder Day Use Area
• Butcher Jones Day Use Area
• Canyon Lake
• Coon Bluff Day Use Area & Seasonal Camping
• Goldfield Day Use Area
• Granite Reef Day Use Area
• Laguna Day Use and Motorized Boat Launch
• Palo Verde Day Use and Motorized Boat Launch
• Pebble Beach Day Use Area
• Phon D Sutton Day Use Area
• Saguaro Del Norte Day Use & Motorized Boat Launch
• Saguaro Lake
• Salt River Canyon Wilderness Permit
• Sheeps Crossing Day Use Area
• The Point Boat Dock, Campground and Picnic Area
• Tortilla Campground
• Water Users Day Use Area
• Tonto Basin Ranger District

  

   

  The Tonto Basin Ranger District is located northwest of Globe and south of Payson. The district consists of approximately 530,000 acres (approximately 210,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-Desert Grassland, Chaparral types of vegetation, as well as a few scattered areas of Ponderosa Pine. Roosevelt Lake (the largest lake totally within Arizona) and Apache Lake are within this district.

  Watershed is one of the most important reasons that the Tonto National Forest was established. Since then, the Salt and Verde rivers have had six dams constructed.  While the dammed water is of great value for irrigating fields and for domestic use, it is also very popular with thousands of people who recreate in its waters every year.

  Water recreation ranges from the simple to the sophisticated.  Some activities require highly mechanized equipment, while other popular activities only require a swimming suit. Whatever your preferences, the Tonto National Forest has plenty to offer when it comes to water recreation.

  There are also commercial partners who provide a variety of water-based recreation opportunities.

  Contact Information:

  Address: 28079 N. Az Highway 188, Roosevelt, Arizona 85545
  Phone: (602) 225-5395
  Fax: (928) 467-3239

• Apache Lake
• Apache Lake Marina & Resort
• Bachelor Cove Shoreline Area
• Bermuda Flat Shoreline Area
• Burnt Corral Campground and Day Use Area
• Cholla Bay Day Shoreline Area
• Cholla Campground
• Crabtree Wash Shoreline Area
• Davis Wash Shoreline Area
• Diversion Dam
• EADS Wash
• Eucalyptus
• Grapevine Group Campground
• HZ Wash
• Indian Point
• Orange Peel
• Rafter Take-Out
• Roosevelt Lake Day Use and Camping Areas
• Schoolhouse Campground
• Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area
• Upper Burnt Corral Shoreline Area
• Windy Hill Boating Site
• Windy Hill Campground