Bartlett lake is the closest lake to the Phoenix area. Located on the Verde River it is 22 miles east of Carefree. Areas for camping, picnicking, fishing, boating are open year-round. Directions: From Carefree, Arizona, take State road 223 east 22 miles. Click for more information.

Lake Powell was created in 1969 when the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam was completed. Now part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell features a great shoreline, hiking, camping, as well as boating and fishing. The lake is well-stocked with bass, bluegill, green sunfish, walleye, black crappie, northern pike, and catfish. The river below the dam is filled with trout. Houseboat rentals are also a very popular option. Directions: Lake Powell is easily reached from the south on US Highway 89 at Page, Arizona, or from the north and east on either highway 276 or 263. Click for more information.

Created upon the completion of the Waddel Dam, Lake Pleasant features 114 miles of shoreline. Located 30 miles north of Phoenix and within the city limits of Peoria, the lake is a great area for boating and camping. Find a full-service marina, 7 miles of trails, camping areas with full utility hookups and a desert education center. Directions: The park is about 30 miles from Phoenix, Arizona. North on I-17, west of State Hwy. 74. Click for more information.

Roosevelt lake was formed when the Theodore Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911. It is the oldest artificial reservoir in Arizona and was once the largest man-made lakes in the world. It is the major recreation center in Arizona for boating, camping, and fishing. Getting to the lake is not as easy as visitors must use the unpaved Apache Trail. But this has its benefits as the number of visitors is less than some of the more accessible recreation areas around the state. Directions: Visitors can reach the lake via the Apache Trail, 80 miles from Phoenix, or by a 20 mile drive over the paved Highway 88 from Globe. The Lake also may be reached from the Beeline Highway (State Route 87) via State Route 188. Click for more information.

Only 41 miles from downtown Phoenix, Saguaro Lake is the closest lake to the valley. There are excellent opportunities for boating, picnicking, fishing and camping. Butcher Jones Beach features swimming, picnic and restroom facilities. The Bagley Flat Campground is about four miles from the dam but is accessible only by boat. It is open all year and is free to campers. Directions: There are two ways to reach the lake. One is to take the Bush Highway north from US Highway 60 to the Saguaro del Norte Recreation Site turnoff. The other way is to take the Beeline Highway (State Route 87) from either the McDowell Road turnoff in Mesa or from Shea Boulevard near Fountain Hills. About eight miles after crossing the Verde River, turn right at signs indicating the Saguaro Lake Recreation Area. More information at 928.467.2236. Click to visit the Saguaro Lake website.

A great past-time for many Valley residents and an excellent way to keep cool during our hot AZ summers! Spend a couple of hours or a whole day floating down the Salt River on an inner-tube. Click here for more information.