Total miles:
About 115, round trip, to Bartlett Reservoir. From central Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north to Exit 223 and go east on Carefree Highway about 10 miles to Cave Creek. Turn north onto Cave Creek Road and follow it about 7 miles as it loops eastward into Carefree, then northeast into the desert. Bear right onto Bartlett Dam Road and proceed about 13 miles to the lake. Don’t miss: With more than 2,800 surface acres, Bartlett Reservoir is larger than Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake combined. Boaters can launch at Yellow Cliffs, the Jojoba Boating Site, Bartlett Flat or the marina; personal watercraft and water-skiers aren’t allowed in the northern end of the lake. Anglers can catch bass, bluegill, catfish, carp, crappie and sunfish here. With hiking trails and campgrounds, there’s something for nearly every outdoor enthusiast. There’s a small convenience store at the marina. Remember that you’ll need a Tonto Pass for recreation at many locations in Tonto National Forest, including Bartlett Reservoir. Cost is $6 per vehicle, plus $4 per watercraft, per day. Permits are available at many retailers in the Valley, as well as the Cave Creek Ranger Station, about a quarter mile past the junction of Cave Creek Road and Bartlett Dam Road. Details: 480-595-3300, www.fs .usda.gov/tonto.