Tonto National Monument - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail is a paved path that leads from the visitor center at Tonto National Monument to the Lower Cliff Dwelling where you can give yourself a self-guided tour of the ruins. The trail leaves from the top level of the visitor center. For those who have trouble with stairs or pets, use the Cactus Patch Trail to access the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail. As the trail leaves the visitor center, it begins climbing immediately.

Theodore Roosevelt Lake was formed by the construction of a masonry dam on the Salt River in 1911, making it the oldest artificial reservoir in Arizona. The reservoir is a major center for fishing, boating, camping and general vacationing, and despite being quite close to Phoenix, the shortest route is via the partly unpaved Apache Trail.

The Three Bar Wildlife Enclosure is a fenced wildlife study area operated by Arizona Game and Fish. The proximity of two recreation sites provides ample parking should you want to cool off in Roosevelt Lake after your ride. Scenery includes the riparian habitat associated with Roosevelt Lake and watershed as well as chaparral vegetation.

Apache Lake is one of four reservoirs built along the Salt River in central Arizona as part of the Salt River Project. The lake is located along the Apache Trail and about 16 miles east of Tortilla Flat, in Maricopa County, Arizona. It is about 65 miles. Apache Lake is formed by Horse Mesa Dam impounded the Salt River northeast of Phoenix.

Apache Lake is one of four reservoirs built along the Salt River in central Arizona as part of the Salt River Project.Apache Lake is a popular recreation destination within the Tonto National Forest, which is the authority that manages the facilities located at the lake. The lake is located along the Apache Trail and a number of other hiking trails can be found in the area. Situated along Apache Lake is Apache Lake Marina and Resort, which offers visitors various amenities.

Four Peaks is a prominent landmark on the eastern skyline of Phoenix. Part of the Mazatzal Mountains, it is located in the Four Peaks Wilderness in the Tonto National Forest, 40 miles east-northeast of Phoenix. In winter, Four Peaks offers much of the Phoenix metro area a view of snow-covered peaks. Four Peaks is the site of an amethyst mine that produces top-grade amethyst.