Apache Lake Arizona

Overview

Apache Lake is the second of four artificial reservoirs along the Salt River east of Fountain Hills created as part of the Salt River Project to supply water for the Phoenix metro area known as 'The Valley of the Sun.' The lake started filling in 1927 when the Horse Mesa Dam was completed. It is the second largest of the Salt River Project (SRP) reservoirs. The surface area of the lake is about 2,600 acres at full capacity. It is the least accessible of the four Salt River lakes, requiring a long drive on a twisting dirt road or an even longer drive on highways to arrive. Despite the remote nature of the lake it still has most of the amenities that visitors appreciate.

Recreation

People visit Apache Lake for a variety of reasons. Naturally it is a great place for fishing, either from the shore or from a boat. Small Mouth and Large Mouth Bass are the main fish sought after but Catfish, Walleye, and Crappie are also present.

There is no limit to the size of motor your boat can have on this lake, so it’s the perfect place for recreational boating and water sports like tubing and skiing. Both pontoon boats and small fishing boats can be rented for an hour, half-day or full day at the marina.

Apache Lake is also a popular day-trip destination for people who have no interest in water sports but thoroughly enjoy a beautiful drive and stunning scenery. A popular day-trip consists of driving up the Apache Trail (Route 88 starting in Apache Junction), enjoying the various views, the desert, lakes, restaurants and tourist stops while driving to Apache Lake and then returning the same way. For those who would like to see all four SRP reservoirs in one day, start out and complete the previous tour but continue to Roosevelt Lake. Once you have seen Roosevelt Lake, head north on Route 188 to Route 87 (The Beeline Highway) and return to Fountain Hills by Route 87.

Apache Lake is surrounded by the Superstition Wilderness and Three Bar Wildlife Area. A wide range of Sonoran Desert wildlife may be encountered in this area including Bald Eagles and other raptors, Javelina, Big Horn Sheep, various deer species, and of course reptiles such as rattlesnakes and assorted lizards. If you are lucky you may see a Gila Monster!

RV and camper hookups and facilities are available, and there are shady areas along the lake's shoreline for beaching boats for picnicking or free camping.

Hiking is also a popular activity in the area of Apache Lake. Some of the trails in the Superstition Wilderness south of the lake are Reavis Ranch, Two Bar Ridge, Tule Canyon, JF, Peter’s and Hoolie Bacon. There are dozens of interconnecting trails throughout the Superstitions and many traverse areas and sites that have a rich history associated with them.

Amenities

Apache Lake Marina and Resort is open year round and has many of the amenities that make a lake experience more enjoyable. A restaurant and bar, lodging, RV sites, groceries, bait and sporting goods, boat rentals and storage, fishing & hunting licenses and more are available.

The restaurant serves a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. The large dining room offers a comfortable and informal ambience and is air-conditioned for an enjoyable summer dining experience. The restaurant also offers an outside patio and a play area so the children and the adults can both enjoy their respective dining experiences.

A building constructed in 1998 contains a full-service bar, conference rooms and a grocery store selling pretty much anything you would need to enjoy yourself at the lake. Both indoor and outdoor facilities are available to accommodate a range of special events such as seminars, retreats, weddings, corporate parties or fishing derbies. A catering menu is available for groups of 15 or more.

The marina provides pontoon boat and fishing boat rentals on an hourly or daily basis. If you own your boat, wet and dry storage is available also. The Apache Lake Boat Dock sells a variety of marine products and fishing tackle. The fuel dock provides unleaded gas and oil.

The Apache Lake Motel has a number of air-conditioned rooms available if camping is not in your repertoire. Certain minimum stay conditions are enforced on weekends and holidays during the summer season which is April through September. Non-smoking rooms are available but no pets are allowed. If you are bringing your accommodations with you, RV and camper hookups are available with lakeside views and include water, sewer, electricity and cable TV. Camping and RV stays are limited to two weeks.

Apache Lake Marina and resort operates under permit from the Tonto National Forest Service.

Getting There

From Fountain Hills there are two ways to get to Apache Lake. Even though Apache Lake is only 26 miles due east of Fountain Hills, the two routes to get there take you far away from the direct path because the region the lake is in is very sparsely populated and very rugged.

The first way is to go to Apache Junction and take Route 88, also known as ‘The Apache Trail’, and continue northeast until you reach Apache Lake. This route requires about 62 miles of driving, of which about 15 miles are on the dirt section of the Apache trail. Although the dirt section is well graded and will comfortably allow most passenger cars to pass, the Apache trail is generally a slow drive because of the dozens of hairpin turns and undulations in the roadway. If you wonder why anyone would want to take such a route, you probably haven't driven the Apache Trail before. The views are absolutely spectacular! Jagged rock walls radiate myriad hues of gold, orange, red and brown; millions of yellow and purple wildflowers carpeting the hillsides during rainy springs; stunning Sonoran Desert scenery everywhere; and of course the expected sight of the lakes coming into view bringing the unexpected contrast of a smooth, bold blue surface against the craggy and tortured reddish-orange and brown of the cliffs and mountains. There are many spots along the Apache Trail you will want to pull over and gawk so give yourself at least 3 hours to get from Fountain Hills to Apache Lake, especially if you drive it on a weekend day.

The other way to get to Apache Lake takes you by Roosevelt Lake, the first and eastmost lake in the Salt River chain of reservoirs. This route requires 95 miles of driving to get to Apache Lake by using Route 87. The 87 travels about 30 miles north of the direct line between Fountain Hills. You must then traverse this distance back on Route 188 to Roosevelt Lake. If you haven’t been on either of these routes and you would like to make a day of it, drive one route to the lake and take the other back. By doing this you can actually see all four Salt River reservoirs in one trip if you take the small side trip to Saguaro Lake off of the 87 about 10 miles north of Fountain Hills.

Related Links:

• Get Map and Directions to Apache Lake
• Apache Lake Marina and Resort
• Water Levels at Apache Lake and other SRP Lakes
• Tonto National Forest
• Hike Arizona Website with hundreds of trails

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