Picnicking

Picnicking Areas

• Bartlett Reservoir
• 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

• Cave Creek Trailhead
• Needle Rock Day Use Area and Non-Motorized Beach
• Ocotillo Boat Launch
• Rattlesnake Cove Day Use Area
• Sears Kay
• Seven Springs Picnic Site
• Sheeps Bridge
• Yellow Cliffs Day Use and Motorized Boat Launch
• Globe Ranger District

  

  The Globe Ranger District is located north, south, and west of the city of Globe, and borders both the Fort Apache and San Carlos Indian Reservations. It is located at the “Bottom,” of the forest, being the district that is furthest south. The district consists of approximately 450,000 acres (approximately 182,000 hectares) of Desert, Chaparral, and Pinyon-Juniper types of vegetation, as well as a small area of Ponderosa Pine. The Upper Salt River flows through much of this district. The Globe district of Tonto National Forest is notable for the horseback riding and hiking opportunities. There are many amazing trails available that offer a genuine desert-landscape scenery.

  Contact Information:

  Address: 7680 S. Six Shooter, Canyon Rd., Globe, Arizona 85501
  Phone: (928) 402-6200
   

• Icehouse CCC
• Jones Water Campground
• Kellner Group Site
• Oak Flat Campground
• Pinal & Upper Pinal Campgrounds
• Pioneer Pass Camping Area
• Sulphide Del Rey Campground
• 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
• 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
• Raccoon Bluff Day-Use Area
• Saguaro Del Norte Day Use & Motorized Boat Launch
• Sheeps Crossing Day Use Area
• The Point Boat Dock, Campground and Picnic Area
• Tortilla Campground
• Water Users Day Use Area
• Payson Ranger District

  

   

  The Payson Ranger District is located on all four side of the town of Payson, and continues north to the Mogollon Rim. It consists of approximately 450,000 acres (approximately 182,000 hectares) of Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper, and Ponderosa Pine types of vegetation. The Verde River and several trout streams pass through this district. The Payson Ranger District is notable for its campgrounds, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities.

  Contact Information:

  Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, Arizona 85541
  Phone: (928) 474-7900
  Fax: (928) 474-7966

• Christopher Creek Campground and Group Site
• East Verde Picnic
• First, Second, Third Crossings and Water Wheel
• Flowing Spring
• Lower Tonto Creek Campground
• Ponderosa Campground and Group Sites
• Sharp Creek Campground and Group Sites
• Pleasant Valley Ranger District

  

  The Pleasant Valley Ranger District is located on all four sides of the town of Young, and it continues north to the Mogollon Rim and east to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The district consists of approximately 420,000 acres (approximately 170,000 hectares) of Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper, as well as significant areas of scattered Ponderosa Pine-Juniper types of vegetation. Recreationalist enjoy the hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and horseback riding. Pleasant Valley is popular because of its proximity to Young, and its easy access of a quick summer get away.

  Contact Information:

  The Pleasant Valley Ranger District office is presently closed. Please contact the Payson Ranger District main office using the contact information below.

  Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, Arizona 85541
  Phone: (928) 474-7900
  Fax: (928) 474-7966

• Haigler Canyon Campground and Day Use
• 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

• Burnt Corral Campground and Day Use Area
• Cholla Campground
• Cottonwood Cove Picnic Area
• Diversion Dam
• EADS Wash
• Indian Point
• Orange Peel
• Roosevelt Lake Day Use and Camping Areas
• Schoolhouse Campground
• Vineyard Canyon Picnic Area
• Windy Hill Campground