Plan your visit
Plan your visit
Prepare for your trip by securing the required parking passes in advance. Arrive early during summer to avoid capacity closures.
Getting there
Driving is the only way to access the recreation sites.
| How | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car: Driving is the most practical way to reach the lake, located about 40 minutes northeast of Phoenix or 25 minutes from Fountain Hills via the Beeline Highway (AZ-87) and Bush Highway. | 40 minutes from Phoenix | $8 for a parking pass | Purchase your Tonto Pass in town before arriving, as they are not sold at the lake. Summer weekends require arriving before 8 AM to secure parking. |
| Boat: Boat rentals (pontoons, fishing boats) are available at Saguaro Lake Marina, or you can take a guided, narrated tour on the Desert Belle cruise boat. | 80-minute cruise | The Desert Belle offers an air-conditioned lower deck and live music cruises on weekends. |
When to go
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QuietModerateBusyPeak
Saguaro Lake is open year-round. October through April provides comfortable hiking and kayaking weather. May to September brings temperatures over 100°F. Summer is peak season for boating and swimming.
What to bring
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Buy your Tonto Daily Pass in town or online before arriving.
Passes are not sold at the lake.
How the day runs
Recommended schedules for the lake.
Get on the water early before the heat peaks and parking fills up.
- Arrive and park
Park at Saguaro del Norte before entrances close for capacity.
- Pick up rentals
Get your pontoon or kayak from the marina.
- Explore the lake
Head east toward the Narrows for calm morning water.
- Lunch
Eat at Lakeshore Restaurant or enjoy a packed cooler.
Enjoy safe swimming and shoreline hiking at Butcher Jones.
- Claim a table
Arrive at Butcher Jones Recreation Site for a shaded picnic table.
- Hike the trail
Walk the Butcher Jones Trail before temperatures rise.
- Swim
Cool off in the designated no-wake zone at the beach.
- Picnic lunch
Pack out all your trash, as service is limited.
Important regulations
Every vehicle parking at a recreation site needs an $8 Tonto Daily Pass. If you launch a motorized boat, you need an additional $4 Watercraft Use Sticker. Display these clearly in your vehicle. Read our Tonto Pass Guide guide for purchasing locations.
All motorized boats must drive counter-clockwise on the lake. Motor noise cannot exceed 82 decibels. Remember that glass containers are strictly prohibited anywhere near the water. Bring lots of drinking water and ice, especially in summer.
Easiest way to do it
Kayaking 2 Hr Canyon & Cliffside on Saguaro Lake
2 h 4.9 (482)
- Single sit on top Kayak (NO doubles) or Paddleboard, Life Jacket, Paddle
From$57per person
Cancellation terms differ by platform and listing. Check them before you pay.
Planning questions
Where is the best place to launch a kayak?
The paddling launch at Butcher Jones is ideal. It provides a safe, non-motorized entry point into calmer waters.
Can you camp at Saguaro Lake?
Yes, but only at Bagley Flat Campground. It is accessible only by boat. It has 10 first-come, first-served sites.
Are there restaurants at the lake?
Lakeshore Restaurant is the only dining option on the lake. It is located at the marina.