Sometimes the road less traveled makes for the best experiences and going out to Roosevelt Lake is one of those adventures that may prove to be just that. The largest lake in Arizona, Roosevelt offers adventure seekers of all kinds of opportunities to get out and Explore the Wild.
Whether you enjoy bass fishing, boating, site seeing, studying Native American history or you just want to relax and get away from it all, then Roosevelt is just the place.
So bring your kids and come enjoy one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. Below is a list of attractions that you can enjoy during your visit to Roosevelt Lake and the surrounding area here in Arizona!
Hike the Arizona Trail
The Arizona National Scenic Trail (Arizona Trail) stretches over 800 miles from the U.S. border with Mexico to Utah, connecting deserts, mountains, canyons, wilderness, history, communities and people. The Arizona Trail has something for everyone, from remote and challenging wilderness to easily accessible passages near many Gateway Communities, this trail showcases Arizona’s diverse vegetation, wildlife, scenery, and history in a way that provides a unique and unparalleled Arizona experience.
Gila County's access points to the trail are thought by many to be the easiest and most approachable, ascending though dramatic mountains of the Superstition Wilderness to emerge with views overlooking cobalt-blue Roosevelt Lake -- before proceeding to the Mogollon Rim, where you will find lush green forests of Ponderosa Pine! Not to mention a rewarding weary hiker stopover in Pine AZ -- an AZ-trail-friendly community with a B+B that welcomes hikers, and Gila County’s northernmost (and only, for now) brewery -- where a thirsty hiker can enjoy an Arizona Trail Ale!
Fishing Roosevelt Lake
Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, bluegill and yellow bass at Roosevelt Lake in Arizona.
The largest lake in Central Arizona, Roosevelt Lake, is a bass fisherman's paradise. At nearly 20,000 acres, and loaded with submerged brush and timber, Roosevelt Lake is the place to be for a serious bass fisherman. When timed right, this lake can kick out incredible numbers of largemouth bass, including some giant bass over 10 pounds. This is a great lake to learn a new technique or fishing style, as it offers a little bit of everything. If you are a serious angler looking to spend a full day in one of the country's hottest fisheries, Roosevelt Lake is the place to go.
Visit the Tonto National Monument
The Salado Phenomena, 700 years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE.
The southeast-facing settlements were built quite high up a steep hillside within well-protected natural caves overlooking the Tonto Basin, which is now flooded forming Theodore Roosevelt Lake, though originally the Salt River flowed through the basin which was therefore well irrigated and fertile. As with many other ancient peoples of the Southwest, the Salado appear to have abandoned their villages suddenly, early in the fifteenth century, for reasons which are not known.
Camping Near Roosevelt Lake
The Tonto Basin Ranger District is located northwest of Globe and south of Payson. The district consists of approximately 530,000 acres (approximately 210,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-Desert Grassland, Chaparral types of vegetation, as well as a few scattered areas of Ponderosa Pine. Roosevelt Lake (the largest lake totally within Arizona) and Apache Lake are within this district.
Watershed is one of the most important reasons that the Tonto National Forest was established. Since then, the Salt and Verde rivers have had six dams constructed. While the dammed water is of great value for irrigating fields and for domestic use, it is also very popular with thousands of people who recreate in its waters every year.
Water recreation ranges from the simple to the sophisticated. Some activities require highly mechanized equipment, while other popular activities only require a swimming suit. Whatever your preferences, the Tonto National Forest has plenty to offer when it comes to water recreation.
Visit the Marina & Store
Rent a boat, eat at delicious restaurant's, and take in the views of this beautiful area!
Find more information about the Marina here.
Explore Roosevelt, Arizona
This area is breathtaking at all times of the year. As Arizona's largest lake the area offers outdoor recreation activities to all levels of adventurers. For all the Roosevelt Lake has to offer visit www.discovergilacounty.com/roosevelt-lake-attractions
For other amazing communities throughout Gila County visit www.discovergilacounty.com/communties