Saguaro Lake

Desert cliffs and saguaros 45 minutes from Phoenix.

A canyon reservoir on the Salt River where saguaro-covered slopes drop to the water and the upper lake narrows between cliffs. Launch from the motor-free bay at Butcher Jones and paddle toward the quiet, no-wake east end. Below the dam, the Lower Salt River adds wild horses, bald eagles and summer tubing.

At a glance

Shoreline

22 mi

Paddle launch

Butcher Jones beach; the bay is closed to motorboats

Upper lake

No-wake zone at the east end

Passes

Tonto Daily Pass $8 plus $4 watercraft sticker

Nearby

Lower Salt River wild horses below Stewart Mountain Dam

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate

What’s here

• Flatwater
• Boat rentals
• Guided tours
• Paddleboarding
• Wildlife
• Fishing
• Swimming

Rentals, guides and shops

• Cliff Creek Outfitters

  Formerly REI Adventure Center: guided Saguaro Lake and Lower Salt River kayak tours, rafting, and kayak and paddleboard rentals.

• Saguaro Lake Marina

  Boat rentals, a store and the Lakeshore Landing restaurant at the lake’s west end.

• Salt River Tubing

  Tube rentals and shuttles on the Lower Salt in summer ($28 with shuttle in 2026).

Where to stay

• lodgeSaguaro Lake Guest Ranch

  Guest ranch on the Salt River just below the dam, with kayaking, tubing and horseback rides.

  10 min drive
• hotelWe-Ko-Pa Casino Resort

  Resort hotel on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, between the lake and Fountain Hills.

  20 min drive

Nearby

• Desert Belle cruises · At the marina

  Narrated sightseeing cruises on Saguaro Lake.

• Tortilla Flat · 45 min drive

  Old stagecoach stop on the Apache Trail with a saloon and restaurant.

• Goldfield Ghost Town · 35 min drive

  Rebuilt mining town with mine tours and a narrow-gauge train.

Getting there

• Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) · about 45 min drive
• Phoenix · about 0.75 hr
• Tucson · about 2.25 hr

Directions in Google Maps