Horseshoe Lake
Description
- The Horseshoe Recreation site is available
for camping (14 units), camp trailers, picnicking, fishing and boating. Like
Bartlett, it is open year-round. This lake is the more difficult lake to get
to of the two on the Verde River. The lake also experiences major fluctuation
by the Salt River Project in the summertime due to the fact that water supply
needs of Valley residents increases. SRP has been known to nearly drain the
reservoir in summer. Horseshoe Lake is 22 miles east of Carefree and 10 miles
north of Bartlett Lake.
Acres:
1,060
Elevation: 2,200 feet
Average Depth: 30 (draw down varies due to water demands)
Camping: Yes
Boat Launch: Yes
Motor: Any size.
Fishing: Yes - with license
Water-skiing: No
Marina: No
Restrooms: Yes
Winter Freeze: No
Access Road: Paved and Gravel
Boating
and fishing at Horseshoe Lake depends on the regular fluctuations in
water elevations. It is routine for SRP to nearly drain the reservoir in the
summer to provide water for the metropolitan area. The Ocotillo Boating Site
provides a launch ramp for smaller boats.
Recreation
- Recreational activities include boating, fishing, picnicking and
camping.
Climate
- Temperatures range from lows near 25 degrees F. in the months of
December and January to highs that may exceed 115 degrees F. from July through
September. Precipitation generally ranges from 2 to 8 inches per year.
Location
- From Carefree go 22 miles east to Bartlett Lake. Horseshoe Lake is
10 miles north of Bartlett Lake on the Verde River. It can be reached by a well-marked
turnoff from the road to Bartlett Lake.
From Fountain
Hills drive north on Fountain Hills Boulevard which turns into McDowell Mountain
Road. Follow McDowell Mountain Road to Forest Drive in Rio Verde. Turn left
and drive to Rio Verde Drive. Turn left and follow Rio Verde Drive to Pima Road.
Turn right and drive to Cave Creek Road. Turn right to Horseshoe Dam Road (FR
205). Turn right and follow the road to the well marked turnoff to Horseshoe
Lake which is about two miles before Bartlett Lake. Follow this road approximately
10 miles to the lake. Note that major parts of this road are not paved.
Contact
Information:
Tonto National Forest,
2324 E Mcdowell Road ,
Phoenix, AZ, 85006,
Phone: 602-225-5200
Tonto National
Forest
Cave Creek Ranger District
40202 North Cave Creek Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Tel. (480) 595-3346
Online:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto
SRP
Customer Information Center
1505 N. Project Dr.
Tempe, AZ
Telephone: (602) 236-8888
Office Hours: 8a.m. - 6p.m. (M - F)
