PHOENIX – Popular recreation sites on the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix are either opening for the season, or closing for the season, depending on the location. The Mesquite and Horseshoe campgrounds and Fisherman’s Point (also known as Catfish Point) reopened for the winter on Saturday, October 1. These three popular camping spots for fisherman are on the Cave Creek Ranger District near Horseshoe Lake.
On the Mesa Ranger District, seasonal reductions in services at some developed recreation sites will also went into effect on Saturday, October 1 and will last through March 31, 2017. The reduction in services means there will not be any trash pick-up, drinking water, restrooms or vehicle access into these sites.
Lower Salt River Recreation Area
- Goldfield
- Pebble Beach
- Sheeps Crossing
Canyon Lake Recreation Area
- Tortilla Campground
- Laguna
- Boulder keyhole
- Acacia Keyhole (back area)
There are plenty of developed recreation sites on the Mesa Ranger District that will remain open. These sites remain open and require the Tonto Daily Pass or annual Tonto Discovery Pass per vehicle:
Lower Salt River Recreation Area
- Water Users
- Blue Point
- Coon Bluff
- Phon D Sutton
- Granite Reef
Canyon Lake Recreation Area
- Palo Verde
- Acacia (front/main area)
Saguaro Lake Recreation Area
- Saguaro Del Norte
- Butcher Jones
Camping sites on both the Mesa and Cave Creek ranger districts currently require a Tonto Daily Pass, or annual Tonto Discovery Pass per vehicle. Fee Machines will be installed in the near future. Once the fee machines are operational, each campsite will charge a camping fee per night, per site.
The following information may be helpful for planning winter activities on the Mesa Ranger District:
Overnight use is allowed at Coons Bluff on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday nights before the following holidays: Columbus Day (Oct 10), Christmas Day observed (Dec 26), New Year’s Day observed (Jan 2), Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday observed (Jan 16), and Presidents Day observed (Feb 20). Overnight use will also be allowed at Coons Bluff on Thanksgiving Day through Saturday night, November 26.
Non-forest camping areas include: Canyon Lake Marina and Campground, Lost Dutchman State Park, and Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Fishing locations on the Lower Salt River include Water Users, Blue Point, Coons Bluff, Phon D. Sutton, and Granite Reef.
Kayaking opportunities on the Lower Salt River include: Water Users, Blue Point, and Coons Bluff (water levels permitting); and Phon D Sutton and Granite Reef (year-round).
Equestrian Access on the Lower Salt include the Bulldog entrance on Bush Highway, Bulldog entrance on Usery Pass Road, Water Users, Coons Bluff, and Phon D. Sutton.
For further information and alternative recreation sites, please visit the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, or contact either the Cave Creek Ranger District at 480-595-3300 or the Mesa Ranger District at 480-610-3300.
