In the summer, Saguaro Lake is our home away from home. Living on the water is the only way to make the brutal Arizona summers more enjoyable!
We have been going to Saguaro Lake for years and I’m here to share all of our tips and recommendations for visiting this beautiful desert oasis.
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The Ultimate Guide to Boating on Saguaro Lake
Table of Contents
Boating on Saguaro Lake
Some of our favorite memories as a family are spending summer days wakesurfing or tubing on the lake.
With kids ranging in age from 7-17, this is one of the few activities that everyone in our family can enjoy.
If you don’t own a boat, I would recommend checking out GetMyBoat. Click the link for pricing and availability:
There are two launch ramps located at the Saguaro Lake Marina. The second dock is a little bigger but is often more crowded.
Weekends and holidays are always the busiest. We like to get to the lake no later than 8 am on those days to get a parking spot. The earlier the better!
Once the lots are full they will close access and you’ll be directed to an overflow parking lot.
You will have to wait there until parking spots become available. It is not a fun way to spend your day so definitely plan to get there early!
Parking permits are required. Day passes are available for purchase on-site at the ranger station, or annual passes are available on-line. Check the Tonto National Forest site for updated information.
Once you’re on the lake there are several fun places we like to explore. If you head straight from the dock you’ll come to Captain’s Cove which is a great area for parking your boat and letting the kids swim around.
To the left just before entering the channel, you’ll see Camper’s Cove with two small beaches.
You’ll find a small cement block etched with “Echo Beach”. This is a great private spot for picnics on the beach while the kids play in the shallow water.
After you go through the channel, head to your left and you’ll find a great spot for cliff jumping.
There are ledges of varying heights for different age levels. To get to the very top you’ll need shoes to climb around the back.
I wouldn’t recommend going that high, but a few daredevils in our group have attempted it.
Just be sure to jump far out away from the rocks, no matter what ledge you jump from.
As you continue around the lake you’ll see a large sandy beach where you can anchor your boat and hang out on the shore. This is a popular site and fills up quickly.
A little further past this area you’ll find Bagley Flat Campground on your right. There is a dock for boat parking, but it often gets filled up in the summer so get there early.
This area has a pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings. It’s a great place to have a picnic or evening barbecue. There is also shore access for the kids to play in the shallow water.
Keep going and you’ll come to the canyon. Just keep in mind that the entrance into the canyon is a no-wake zone.
One of our favorite things to do in the evenings is to take a slow scenic cruise through the canyon.
It is such a peaceful area away from the noise and crowds. Once you get through the main channel you’ll find a few more sandy beach areas.
Saguaro Lake is also a popular location for fishing. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, Black Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Walleye and Bluegill. Fishidy offers an interactive map with the best fishing locations.
Tips and info for boating on Saguaro Lake:
- All children 11 years and younger must wear a life jacket anytime they are on the water.
- The flag needs to be up whenever someone is in the water if they’re not up on a wakeboard, surfboard, skis or tube.
- No riding on the back of the boat, everyone needs to be inside the boat.
- No watersports are allowed once the sun sets behind the mountains. Even if it is still light outside if you can’t see the sun you can get ticketed.
- You can still be on the water after sundown, but you must have a navigation light.
- Skunks are often found in the beach areas and campgrounds, so use caution.
- All trash needs to be carried out, please be respectful and always clean up any messes.
- Pay attention to no-wake zone areas and watch for buoys marking shallow rocks.
- There is a herd of wild horses in the area that can often be seen drinking water from the shores. They are beautiful to watch but give them their space.
- If you are running low on fuel, there is a gas pump available at the marina.
- In the summer there are swarms of gnats by the dock. They tend to come out more in the evenings so if you want to avoid them try and get off the water earlier.
Camping on Saguaro Lake
One of our favorite things to do is camp at Saguaro Lake in the summer. The golden hour is my favorite time on the lake.
As the sun sets and everyone leaves, the lake becomes so peaceful and serene. It is such a beautiful and remote place to camp.
There are no additional fees to camp and you can set up a tent on any of the shores, except Butcher Jones.
Our favorite spot is Echo Beach, within Camper’s Cove just before the main channel leading to the back of the lake.
Bagley Flat Campground is also a great option. There are 30 spots available on a first-come basis.
Each campsite has a picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Pit toilets are available, although there is not always toilet paper so I would recommend bringing your own.
You’ll find a lot of thorns in the area, so be sure to always wear shoes. The thorns easily penetrate through flip-flops, so thicker-soled shoes are recommended.
The best part about lake camping is that you get the first run in the morning.
Nothing beats that early morning glassy water. It’s nice getting an early start then packing up and leaving before all the crowds come.
A few things to note about camping at Saguaro Lake:
- The water level fluctuates at night due to the dam. Be sure to anchor your boat further away from the shore. We have had our boat stranded on the beach when we have anchored it too close and have had to wait until more water is released from the dam.
- There are no toilet facilities while beach camping. Bring a portable toilet or use the pit toilets available at the campground or marina.
- Pack out any trash you bring in.
- The skunks are active at night so be sure to keep your trash in your boat or tent.
- Be sure to check for fire restrictions before lighting any campfires. Barbecue grills are okay to use during fire restrictions.
*Related post: Be sure to also check out our guide for 101 Family-Friendly Things to Do in the Phoenix Area!
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Other activities at Saguaro Lake
There are plenty of other things to do at Saguaro lake besides boating. This is a popular day trip for locals and tourists alike. Here are a few recommended activities to do at Saguaro Lake:
Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch: Consider booking a cabin overnight at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch. This scenic ranch. Located on the banks of the Salt River in the shadow of Bulldog Cliffs. It is a great home base for your lake activities.
Butcher Jones Recreation Area: This beach is a popular day-use area. Camping is not permitted. There are 32 picnic sites with tables and grills, as well as a pit toilet.
Butcher Jones Trail: This is a 4-mile out-and-back trail that starts at the beach. The trail traverses through the Sonoran Desert with views over the lake and mountains. It is an easy trail without much elevation gain and ends at Burro Cove. See our guide 11 of the Best Hikes in Phoenix for more information.
Desert Belle Cruise: Take a 90-minute narrated scenic cruise on board the air-conditioned Desert Belle. They also offer live music cruises, wine cruises, and a Lake and Land tour that includes an off-road Hummer adventure and lake cruise.
Fishing: Peregrine Point Fishing Dock is located near Butcher Jones. It is a great location for fishing from the shore.
Cliff Jumping: In the summer you’ll see plenty of young people hanging out along the cliffs just past the dock. There is a trail that leads out across the face of the rock where you can find cliffs for jumping and coves for hammocking.
Paddleboarding and Kayaking: Rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the beauty of Saguaro Lake. Rentals include a temporary auto rack, but I would recommend renting their inflatable paddle boards for easy transportation.
ATV Trails: There is an extensive network of ATV trails across 27,000 acres of land. The staging area can be found just west of the Butcher Jones Recreation Area. There are several companies offering rentals in Mesa and Scottsdale. You can also check Craigslist or other local listing sites.
Lakeshore Restaurant: This restaurant is located at the marina and offers beautiful views over the lake. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offer a wide variety of food. Wednesday and Friday nights are all you can eat fish and chips.
Floating the Salt River: The Salt River flows from Saguaro Lake and is perfect for a summer float trip. Be sure to check out our First Time Guide to Salt River Tubing for everything you need to know!
*Related post: For more fun things to do in Mesa, check out our guide 15 Fun Things to do in Mesa Arizona with Kids!
Recommended Lake Essentials
Here are some things we have loved over the years and would recommend:
- We love this Hyperlite board for kids. It’s been the best one we’ve found for learners.
- For spinning on the wave, we like the skim board style wakesurf board.
- If you’re looking to improve your wave, we like the Swell Wakesurf Shaper.
- We’ve always been a fan of the O’Neill Neoprene life vests for their lightweight and durability.
- Our favorite sunscreen is Sunbum, it is great for sensitive skin. For faces, I recommend Neutrogena Clear Face. It goes on light and is never greasy. It is the best sunscreen if you have sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts.
We hope you enjoy spending the day at Saguaro Lake. This spot will always hold a special place in our family’s memories and I loved being able to share it with you!
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It’s a beautiful lake for all to enjoy. It’s the pigs that I can’t stand. You bring trash bring it home pigs.
if this add is true then why in God’s name is the lake closed at this of all times.
We were disappointed to see it was closed too due to COVID-19, being on a boat is a great way to get fresh air while still practicing social distancing! Roosevelt, Bartlett, and Lake Pleasant are still open as of this past weekend.
amazing post. I just stumbled upon your post and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your article. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Please mail me The Ultimate Guige To Siguaro Lake Arizona.
Wendy Gay Van Etten
29675 N North Valley Pkwy
Unit 1030
Phoenix AZ 85085
331 803 0781
Hi Wendy! Unfortunately, I do not have a hard copy of the guide, but I hope you find this online guide helpful!