Days
<1
Motors Allowed?
Yes
Difficulty
Easy / Class A
Distance
1.98 mi (3.19 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Saguaro Lake is the first of a small chain of reservoirs formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam just northeast of Mesa, Arizona. Following Highway 88, also known as the Apache Trail, east along the Salt River, you can also easily access Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Theodore Roosevelt Lake as well.

Saguro Lake is known for its fishing, camping, kayaking, and motorized watercraft activities. In addition, the Saguaro Lake Marina hosts the Lakeshore Restaurant and a double deck sightseeing boat named Desert Belle.

The Bagley Flat Campground is located approximately 4 miles from the dam and is only accessible by boat. It has 10 camping spaces with picnic tables, grills, and the only toilet facility on the upper portion of the lake. Shore fishing is permitted (with an Arizona fishing license). The best fishing is done boat, though, and fish varities include largemouth and smallmouth Bass, yellow bass, bluegill, crappie, and rainbow trout to name a few.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

National or state forest pass

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Easy access. Open year round. Scenic views. Bird watching. Fishing.

Cons

Permit required.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Put-in location (lat, long coordinates)

33.573936, -111.537672

Take-out location (lat, long coordinates)

33.573936, -111.537672

Water Temperature

65.00 °F (18.33 °C)

Features

Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Potable water
Boat ramp(s)
Wildlife
Bird watching
Fishing

Trail type

There-and-back

Access

Vehicle

Typically multi-day

No

Shuttle required

No

Site characteristics: Water

Lake

Portage required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona
Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona
Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona
Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona

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