| The uninitiated from Eastern and Northern sections of | | | | miles from Apache Junction on one of the most scenic |
| the United States picture Arizona as a dry desert | | | | drives in Central Arizona. At the far east end of the |
| state suffering from a lack of water and particularly | | | | lake lies the Tortilla Flats Restaurant and Bar, an |
| recreational water. They are surprised to learn that | | | | extremely popular tourist attraction. The lake has an |
| there are six major recreational lakes within 40 miles | | | | organized swimming area, three separate recreation |
| of Phoenix, the state's largest metropolitan area. | | | | sites and two boat ramps which are open year |
| Additionally, the biggest lake in Arizona is Roosevelt | | | | around and are free of charge. Tourists can even |
| Lake located 80 miles from the City. These massive | | | | enjoy a lake cruise on "Dolly", an old-fashioned |
| bodies of water offer swimming, boating, water skiing, | | | | paddle-wheel tour boat. |
| camping, hiking, picnicking and fishing. The Phoenix area | | | | The last lake in the chain of four lakes which tame the |
| is reputed to have more boats per capita than any | | | | Salt River is Saguaro Lake created by Stewart |
| other large metropolitan area in the country. One | | | | Mountain Dam. Forty miles from Phoenix, this lake is |
| needs only to visit one of the large lakes on a summer | | | | the most easily accessed and conveniently located of |
| weekend to attest to that fact. | | | | the four lakes. As a result, it is often very crowded on |
| The lakes have been created by man-made dams | | | | summer weekends and the number of boats allowed |
| backing up several rivers that flow from the higher | | | | is limited. Therefore, boaters need to arrive early in the |
| mountain country of Northern and Eastern Arizona. | | | | morning or in the mid-afternoon to gain access to the |
| They are fed primarily by snowmelt from these vast | | | | water. A popular attraction is the fully developed |
| watershed areas. The lakes provide storage of the | | | | camping and picnic site at Butcher Jones Wash which |
| water to be used for agricultural, industrial and | | | | features a marked swimming area and sandy beach. |
| residential purposes in the lower desert areas. | | | | Located several miles to the north of the Salt River |
| Apache Lake, Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake are | | | | system is the Verde River runoff area which contains |
| positioned in beautiful canyons surrounded by imposing | | | | two fine recreational lakes. Horseshoe Lake is the |
| cliffs and rock formations offering fantastically | | | | uppermost lake of the series and is a popular spot |
| picturesque views suitable for photographing. The | | | | between October and May. In the summer months it is |
| other lakes are located in flatter river basins | | | | the first lake to be called upon to quench the thirst of |
| surrounded by rolling desert hills. Among these venues | | | | the metropolitan area and is generally nearly dry during |
| are Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Horsetooth Lake, | | | | that period. Access to the lake is by dirt road which |
| and Lake Pleasant. Each lake offers the observant, | | | | makes it a little more private and less crowded. |
| views of desert wildlife including javelina, bald eagles, | | | | More popular and more heavily utilized is Bartlett Lake |
| deer, mountain sheep and even black bear from time | | | | as it is accessible by paved road and is only 30 miles |
| to time. | | | | northeast of Phoenix. It is extremely convenient for |
| Roosevelt Lake is the first lake in the string of four | | | | residents of north Phoenix and Scottsdale. The |
| lakes backing up the Salt River and Tonto Creek. It is | | | | shoreline provides ample areas for camping, boating, |
| also the site of Roosevelt Dam, the first dam to be | | | | swimming and hiking. As a result of its heavy use it is |
| constructed in this series of dams. Completed in 1911, it | | | | not considered a great fishing site. |
| was the largest manmade lake in the world at that | | | | The lakes mentioned above are generally located to |
| time. Boasting 88 miles of shoreline, it is the largest of | | | | the east and northeast of the Phoenix area. Lake |
| Arizona's recreational lakes. The area includes a | | | | Pleasant is an exception as the closest lake to the |
| multitude of camping sites and public facilities. Of all of | | | | northwest part of the city. It is extremely convenient |
| the lakes it is the most popular for overnight camping | | | | for quick weekend excursions. The lake is primarily a |
| and extended stays. | | | | water sports lake but does offer fine fishing in its |
| The next lake down the Salt River chain is Apache | | | | upper reaches. In addition to water skiing, jet skiing, |
| Lake. It is located about 65 miles east of Phoenix and | | | | boating, camping and picnicking, the bit of wind usually |
| is formed by the Horse Mesa dam. It is one of the | | | | present makes it the best lake in central Arizona for |
| more difficult lakes to access which makes it a little | | | | sailing. |
| less crowded and quieter, but it is beautifully located | | | | So, as one might conclude, despite the fact that |
| among spectacular canyon walls and is well worth the | | | | Arizona is known as a "desert" state. One need not |
| trip. | | | | give up a love for water sports and fishing when |
| Canyon Lake lies just below Apache Lake and was | | | | moving to this great state of many faces. |
| created by Horse Mesa Dam. It is located roughly 16 | | | | |