Recreation Sites Near Horseshoe Lake Open For Winter

The Mesquite and Horseshoe campgrounds and Fisherman's Point (also known as Catfish Point) re-opened for the winter early last month. These three areas are near Horseshoe Lake and are popular camping spots for fisherman.

These sites accept the Tonto Pass, or annual pass. There are no trash collection services at these sites. If you pack it in, you need to pack it out. Stay limit is 14 days.

Horseshoe Lake is a reservoir that was formed by the Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River. This lake is located inside the Tonto National Forest, and as such, the facilities located here are managed by that authority.

Located upstream and north of Bartlett Lake, Horseshoe Lake is the first of the Salt River Project lakes to be very low when irrigation and domestic water requirements dictate. As a result, it can be virtually dry for long periods of time causing the boat ramp to be entirely out of the water.

To reach Horseshoe Lake, take Cave Creek road north out of Phoenix to Bartlett Dam road. About 10 miles before your reach Bartlett Lake, take a left on Horseshoe Dam Rd. This road will be a washboard with a few pot holes and possibly a small stream to cross during the rainy seasons, but it will lead you right to the lake.

Popular fish species that call Horseshoe Lake "home" are large- and small-mouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel and flathead catfish.