Ocotillo Boat Launch
- Ocotillo Boat Launch
Campground Overview:
Ocotillo Boat Launch is a site located near the Horseshoe Reservoir on the Tonto National Forest. This area offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Horseshoe Reservoir and the Verde River are nearby and provide opportunities for many water activities and dispersed camping. Bald eagles are frequently seen in this vicinity. Ocotillo Boating Site is the only boat ramp on the entire reservoir. It will not accommodate larger boats. Horseshoe Reservoir is ideal for anglers.
Campsites:
As you get close to the lake, right before the road ends, there are two designated campsites located off FR 205 to the right. These campsite include a ramada and picnic table and beautiful views, overlooking Horseshoe Reservoir. This area also has other dispersed sites where you can set up camp. Two vault toilets are located on the left side of the road. Most campers will continue along FR 205 until the road ends and camp along the shores of the reservoir. A high clearance vehicle is recommend past FR 205
This site is 23 miles northeast of Carefree. From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road for 7 miles to Bartlett Dam Road and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. At this junction, FR 205 turns left and becomes an unmaintained unpaved road. Follow FR 205 for 10 miles towards Horseshoe Reservoir.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Dispersed |
Season: |
October – May |
Nearby City: |
Phoenix Valley |
Fishing: |
Horseshoe Reservoir |
Campground Website: |
Ocotillo Boat Launch |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Horseshoe Reservoir is one of the most remote lakes in the area — ideal for anglers looking for a quiet lake. Horseshoe is one of the best fish nurseries in Arizona, with the refilling of the reservoir. Below the Horseshoe Dam, the Verde River flows all the way to Bartlett Lake. This is a great area for river fishing and kayaking.
Pictures courtesy of the Tonto National Forest -Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area.
Cave Creek Ranger District is the first district on Tonto National Forest. It is located in the farthest left hand corner of the forest, and is notable for the water, hiking, and horseback riding recreation. It consists of over 570,000 acres (approximately 230,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-Desert Grassland, Chaparral, and Pinyon-Juniper types of vegetation. The Verde River flows through this entire district; Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs are located here.
Watershed protection was 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.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
