Yellow Cliffs Day Use and Motorized Boat Launch

Yellow Cliffs is above the shoreline along an elevated hilltop which provides gorgeous views of unique yellow-hued boulders surrounding Bartlett Lake. Here you can lounge and meditate to the soft sounds of the lake water lapping at the shoreline and the hum of boats coasting up and down the lake in the distance. When open, you can launch your watercraft here to enjoy Bartlett Lake or picnic at several sites available on site.

Current Conditions

Due to a large collection of debris, Yellow Cliffs Motorized Boat Launch is unsuitable for launching boats. Please utilize the Jojoba Boat Launch.

General Information

Year-round, as water levels permit

Day use only; no overnight camping allowed

The links below provide additional information on pricing and purchasing information.

Tonto Daily Pass (and Watercraft Sticker, if required). Available at Tonto National Forest Offices and retail vendors (please call for availability).
Tonto Discovery Pass. Available at Tonto National Forest Offices.
Tonto Fee Machine Pass. Nearest locations are as follows: the Cave Creek Ranger Station, Desert Vista Overlook, and the Jojoba Boat Launch area.

Restrictions

Not recommended for trailers over 32'.
Glass containers prohibited.

Day Use:
$8 per vehicle per day (purchased at Tonto NF Office or Retail Vendor)
$12 per vehicle per day (purchased on-site at Tonto Fee Machine)
$80 per annual
$60 per senior & access annual
Tonto Watercraft Sticker: $4 per motorized watercraft, if required

Front view of the Cave Creek Ranger Station building with a clear sky in the background.

Address: 40202 North Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Phone: (480) 595-3300
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 pm) Closed Saturday and Sunday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 33.872529

Longitude: -111.615632

Elevation

1,800 Feet

Directions

This site is 24 miles east of Carefree. Take Cave Creek Road 7 miles turn right on Bartlett Dam Road and turn left on FR 459. Continue on FR 459 (a paved, low speed road) for 3 miles then turn right to the site.