Being
in the desert you wouldn't think about spending a day on the
water, or would you? Phoenix has several lakes that
offer water sports, boating, swimming and all the breathtaking
sights anyone could ask for. Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake,
and Roosevelt Lake are all just a short drive from
Phoenix. Below we have highlighted some of the fun you
will have if you decide to spend a day cooling off at one of
Arizona's beautiful lakes.
Area
Lakes
Apache
Lake - 2500
Acres, Fishing, Swimming, Camping (with and without
electricity), Sanitary Pump Station, Picnic /Day Use,
Drinking Water, Boat Ramps (small fee may apply). A scenic and
rarely crowded lake. The lake itself can be an adventure to
reach with a trailer due to Fish Lake Hill and the Apache
Trail, a ten mile long steep mountain road very narrow in
spots DRIVE CAREFULLY!. If you have several days it is well
worth the trip, though it is not recommended for a one day
trailer boat stop. Home of the Horse Mesa Dam and The Point
Recreational Areas on each end of the lake. From Phoenix take
U.S. 60 to Arizona State Route 88 north.
Bartlett
Lake - 1300
Acres, Fishing, Swimming, Camping, Boat Ramps (small
fee may apply). Can get over crowded on the weekends, so you
need to be in early. Water level is down at times, be sure to
call ahead. Home of the nearby Bartlett Recreational Area.
Located in the Tonto National Forest, jump off I17 at the New
River exit and head east towards Cave Creek/Camp Creek area
Canyon
Lake - 1000
Acres (about 25 miles of shoreline). Boating, Fishing, Water
Skiing (on the main portion of the lake), camping, picnic/Day
Use. Scenic Lake but small, limited amount of boating on
weekends. Steep gorges and cliffs and plenty of Saguaro Cactus
make this popular for Phoenix Boaters.
Lake
Pleasant - 14,000
Acres (about 45 miles of shoreline), Fishing, Water Skiing,
Boat Camping Areas, Boat Ramps ( $ 6.00 ) admission fee.
Visitors Information Center, Boat Rental, limited picnic
resources on the County Side, more resources on the Private
Side. A small portion of the lake is inaccessible from
December until middle June (due to nesting Eagles). This is
the closest lake to Phoenix located off off I17 and Arizona
State Route 74 west, just a few minutes north of Phoenix.
Theodore
Roosevelt Lake -
17,000 Acres. Water Skiing, Fishing, Camping with and without
electric hookup, Sanitary Pump Station, Boat Ramps (check
ahead water may be low at various times best bet is at the old
marina), Marina, Fuel, Picnic/Day Use. Cholla campground on
the lake was recently rebuilt and is the largest solar
campground in the U.S. Just East of Phoenix in the Tonto
National Forest. Call the Arizona Tourism Bureau for more
information.
Saguaro
Lake - 1200
Acres, Fishing, Water Skiing, Camping (accessible by
boat), Restrooms, Drinking Water, Boat Ramps (small fee may
apply, limited boaters allowed in on weekends, try to be in by
9am). The entire upper half is no wake zone and nature
preserved. Big Horn Sheep have been spotted in this area.
Located off Arizona State Route 87 about 20 miles northeast of
Scottsdale.
Lake
Powell
- Campsites with and without electric hookup,
Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station,
Picnic/day use, Marina, Fuel, Visitors Information Center.
This is one of the most scenic lakes in the western U.S. which
is completely surrounded by the Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area which follows the Colorado River from 20 miles
southwest of Moab, Utah to Page, Arizona and slightly beyond.
Waheap Basin Recreational Area on the state line of Utah /
Arizona provides camping in the southern section, and numerous
scenic areas follow upstream to the northeast. Popular scenic
stops include Hole In the Rock, Clif Arch, and Rainbow Marina
(near Navajo Mountain). Three other Marinas provide camping;
Halls Crossing, Bullfrog Marina, (both near the crossing of
Utah State Route 263) and Hite Marina (at the Crossing of Utah
State Route 95, a total of 60 miles line of site from the Dam
in Arizona). North of Hite Marina the river narrows into
Cataract Canyon and into the Canyonlands National Park. All
located in south central and southeastern Utah at the Arizona
border. Launch Ramps are available at Glen Canyon State Park
and National Recreation Area 500 feet either side of the state
line 10 miles northwest of Page, Arizona off U.S. 89.
Being
in the desert you wouldn't think about spending a day on the
water, or would you? Phoenix has several lakes that
offer water sports, boating, swimming and all the breathtaking
sights anyone could ask for. Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake,
and Roosevelt Lake are all just a short drive from
Phoenix. Below we have highlighted some of the fun you
will have if you decide to spend a day cooling off at one of
Arizona's beautiful lakes.