Apache Lake Boat Access
Open — Open year-round for boat-access-only camping. No advance reservations. A Tonto Daily Pass and Watercraft Sticker or Tonto Discovery Pass are required for boating.
Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions
To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
Lower Salt River Area Temporary Emergency Equestrian Closure for Public Health & Safety
Click to view closure order for details.
Granite Reef Developed Recreation Site Public Health and Safety Closure Order
See order for details.
TERMINATION ORDER: Stage II Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Order
There are no fire restrictions on the Tonto National Forest as of Sept. 5, 2025, 8 a.m.
Box Bar Seasonal Eagle Closure
December 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. and will remain in effect seasonally each year from December 1 through June 30, until June 30, 2026, at 12 p.m.
About
Apache Lake Boat Access offers a unique boat-in camping experience on the north shore of Apache Lake in Tonto National Forest. Accessible only by watercraft, this dispersed camping area provides a remote desert lake experience surrounded by dramatic canyon walls and scenic desert landscapes. The lake was formed in 1927 with the completion of Horse Mesa Dam and sits at 1,900 feet elevation. The lake is known for outstanding trout and warm-water fishing, as well as motorized and non-motorized boating opportunities. During wet winters, spring wildflowers create vibrant displays across the surrounding terrain. Summer months are especially popular for water recreation when the cool lake waters provide relief from desert heat. The setting features Upper Sonoran Desert vegetation including mesquite, catclaw, desert broom, cholla, and saguaro cacti. This is a primitive boat-access camping area with no facilities. Campers must be fully self-sufficient, bringing all water, supplies, and equipment. A Tonto Daily Pass and Watercraft Sticker or Tonto Discovery Pass are required for boating. The upper end of the lake is closed to water skiing, and waters near developed sites and coves are designated no-wake zones. Direction of travel on the lake is counter-clockwise.
Directions
Accessible only by boat on the north shore of Apache Lake. Boat launch available at Apache Lake Marina or Burnt Corral Campground. From Mesa, take Beeline Highway/State Highway 87 north for 60 miles to State Highway 188. Turn right and follow for 33 miles to State Highway 88. Turn right and drive past Roosevelt Dam, then 5 miles to Forest Road 183. Turn right and continue 1 mile to the marina. The route is paved except for an 11-mile section of State Highway 88.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (602) 225-5395 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
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