Cave Creek Ranger District
The Cave Creek Ranger District includes the Verde River, and Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs.
General Information
The Cave Creek Ranger District consists of over 570,000 acres (approximately 230,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-Desert Grassland, Chaparral, and Pinyon-Juniper types of vegetation. Multiple opportunities exist for water-based recreation, hiking and backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, OHV riding, and camping.
OHV riding and motorized recreation is a popular activity; two OHV Permit Zones fall within this district, which include the iconic Telegraph Line Trail (MT-42), Camp Creek Wash, and other popular single track routes near Wildcat OHV Staging Area.
Picnicking, day use, and water-based activities are popular near the Needle Rock Recreation Area, along with at several recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. These sites can reach capacity on busy holiday weekends and holidays in the summer months.
This district also includes a large portion of the Mazatzal Wilderness, where hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding are common activities.
Trails
For a full list of trails, please click here or for more information or contact the appropriate Ranger Station on the forest.
Complexes
The Bartlett Reservoir area is noted for the spectacular vistas of the Desert Mountains and the Sonoran plant life. A fair portion of the west side of the reservoir is devoted to camping and picnicking. Bartlett has been a favorite with anglers since Bartlett Dam was constructed in 1939. Several state-record fish have been caught there. The 1977 Small-mouth Bass state record tipped the scales at seven pounds. The carp state record still stands at 37 lbs. 5 oz. Flathead Catfish lurk in the depths. “Fish City” near Bartlett Flat is a fish-habitat improvement project.
Bartlett Flat is farther up the road from Yellow Cliffs along the water’s edge of Bartlett Lake.
The breathtaking scenery of Bartlett Lake and surrounding mountains open to a large open-space parking lot where you can unload lake day equipment such as canopies, coolers
Rattlesnake Cove is an accessible site with staircases that lead visitors straight to the shoreline of the Bartlett Lake.
Riverside campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake.
Just past the day-use parking lot is the sandy terrain of SB Cove Shoreline where avid campers can park their RVs and trucks close to the shoreline when water levels are lo
Yellow Cliffs is above the shoreline along an elevated hilltop which provides gorgeous views of unique yellow-hued boulders surrounding Bartlett Lake.
Commercial Marina Site located at 20808 E Bartlett Dam Rd, Carefree, AZ 85377. Call (480) 221-0503 for more information.
Horseshoe Reservoir is one of the most remote lakes in the area and features quiet recreation opportunities and is ideal for anglers looking for a quiet lake. Horseshoe is one of the best fish nurseries in Arizona, with the refilling of the reservoir.
Catfish is a site located on the Horseshoe Reservoir in Cave Creek. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains.
Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground.
Fishing, kayaking and launching your boat on Horseshoe Reservoir are some of the many recreational activities to enjoy during your visit.
Box Bar is a River Access Point to the Verde River, close to Bartlett Lake in the Cave Creek Ranger District. This small site offers beautiful scenery of the surround
The beach on the Verde River is generally rocky, but attracts many people during the hot summer months. The area is noted for its unusual rock formations.
Recreation Sites
136th Street OHV Trailhead
2117 OHV Trailhead
2119 OHV Trailhead
388 OHV Trailhead
404 OHV Trailhead
Aloe Vera Staging Area
Bartlett Flat Shoreline Area
Bartlett Lake Marina
Bartlett Reservoir
Box Bar Shoreline Area and River Access Point