Saguaro del Norte Recreation Site Saguaro Lake Marina Saguaro Lake, Arizona. Photo.	Saguaro del Norte Recreation Site Saguaro Lake Marina Saguaro Lake, Arizona. Photo.
Saguaro Lake, Arizona. Photo.	Saguaro Lake Marina, Arizona.

Saguaro Lake was formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam, which was built between 1928-30. The dam was named after a ranch that used to be located nearby known as, the Old Stewart Ranch. Saguaro Lake is located 41 miles northeast from Phoenix. Saguaro Lake is a spectacular site for boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking, camping, and all other forms of outdoor recreation. But camping is accessible by boat only. It has a swimming area and two boating ramps. Saguaro Lake has clean, clear water, and good fishing. A Google Earth Map search marks Saguaro Lake at the center of the Stewart Mountain Dam at 33o 33' 59.50" N 111o 32' 10.44" W. Saguaro Lake is one of the four lakes that were formed by the damming of the Salt River for the Salt River Project; which supplies water to the "Vally of the Sun" or Phoenix Area. It is surrounded by beautiful scenery since it is within the Tonto National Forest. The lake is is a long, narrow and winding lake; 10 miles long with 22 miles of shoreline, and a depth of about 110 feet. Visitors to the lake may see; eagle, javelina, big horn sheep, mule deer, snakes, lizards, chuckwalla, and many desert plants, including the saguaro, mesquite, and ocotillo. The main fish caught in Apache Lake are: Walleyes, crappie, yellow bass, large mouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, brown trout, and rainbow trout. Its temperatures range from lows of about 25 degrees F. during the months of December and January; to highs that may exceed 115 degrees F. from July through September. The annual precipitation usually ranges from about 2 to 8 inches. Saguaro del Norte Recreation Site is near the dam and it includes the Saguaro Lake Marina (which has a restaurant and boat concession). Saguaro Del Norte is handicap accessible; with an aid station, picnic tables, restrooms, and two paved boat ramps. Butcher Jones Beach, is located a few miles north of Saguaro del Norte, it features swimming, picnic and restroom facilities. The area is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through September. The Bagley Flat Campground; with 30 spaces; is located about four miles from the Stewart Mountain Dam, but is is accessible only by boat. It is open all year with no fees. To get there, you must travel up a narrow cliff-bordered portion of the lake. The campground is in a scenic, quiet area with sanitation facilities. Boat rentals and a full service marina is available at Saguaro Lake by a firm called Precision Marine. Originally launched in 1964, the Desert Belle paddlewheel boat has been plowing the waters of Saguaro Lake for over forty years. It is a trip to be taken! GETTING THERE: There are two ways to reach the Saguaro Del Norte Boating Site at Saguaro Lake. One way is to take the Bush Highway north from the U.S. 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 the Shea Boulevard near Fountain Hills. About eight miles after crossing the Verde River, turn right at the signs pointing toward the Saguaro Lake Recreation Area. There is a cost of $6.00 per vehicle and $4.00 per watercraft, per day to use Saguaro Lake. Golden Age/Golden Access passes receive half off. Contact the Mesa Ranger Station about permits. 5140 East Ingram Street Mesa, AZ 85205 Phone: 480-610-3300 Phone: 602-236-5929 Fax: 480-610-3346

If you are planning to visit Saguaro Lake. And if you are coming from outside of Arizona, you could fly into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and then rent a car. There are many hotels and motels in the area. We have some links to Priceline.com on this page since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car. In addition, visitors to the lake, may need to purchase some outdoor gear, boating equipment, or fishing gear. We also have some links to Altrec.com on this page since they are a good online source for any outdoor camping gear and clothing that you may need. We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active.

We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!

Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books, Videos, & Lures For Bass Fishing. No Obligation!

Back To "Valley Of The Sun" Lakes or "Phoenix Area" Lakes Page.

Back To Arizona Tours Page

Back To DeLange Home Page Images And Text Copyright George & Eve DeLange