20 Attractions to Explore Near Tonto National Forest

Mount Ord is one of the most popular and accessible tree-covered summits nearby the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area. The turn off to Mount Ord Road is less than an hour from the suburbs of Mesa and Scottsdale via the Beeline Highway. The top of Mount Ord is home to a collection of communications towers. The mountain is popular with birdwatchers.

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.

Bartlett Lake is a reservoir that was formed by the damming of the Verde River in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is downstream and to the south of Horseshoe Reservoir. Constructed in 1936–39 by the Salt River Project, the Bartlett Dam and reservoir were named for Bill Bartlett, a government surveyor. Bartlett Lake was the first reservoir built on the Verde River.

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.

Devil's Canyon also known as 'Devcharacho kond' in Konkani, is a picturesque river gorge near Molem situated in a beautiful patch of the jungle where the river flows with great turbulence and cuts the deep gorge into solid rock. It is suicidal for swimmers due to the slippery rocks, strong undercurrents and unfathomed depth. In its jungles one can see some rare sightings of Black Panther and while here one can also visit the Tambdi Surla Temple that is situated nearby.

Barnhardt Trail is considered to be one of the "expressways" to the Mazatzals. It starts at Barnhardt trailhead and proceeds westward to the ridge of the Mazatzal range or "Divide" where you intersect the N-S Mazatzal Divide Trail, which is part of the Arizona Trail. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Saguaro Lake is the fourth reservoir on the Salt River, formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam in the U.S. state of Arizona. The lake is off State Route 87, about halfway between Phoenix and the ghost town of Sunflower. This lake is within the Tonto National Forest

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.

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.

Salome Wilderness contains about 18,530 acres in the Sierra Ancha Mountains northeast of Roosevelt Lake. The majority of the wilderness is the canyon containing Salome and Workman Creeks, the upper boundary of the wilderness being defined mostly by the rim of the canyon. The region has a diverse flora and fauna.

Canyon Lake is one of four reservoirs that were formed by the damming of the Salt River in the U.S. state of Arizona. It was formed by the Mormon Flat Dam, which was completed in 1925 after two years of construction. Canyon Lake, with a surface area of 950 acres, is the third and smallest of four lakes created along the Salt River.

Tonto National Monument is a National Monument in the Superstition Mountains, in Gila County of central Arizona. It features two Salado-style cliff dwellings dating back 700 years ago. This site tells the story of the Salado people who resided in this part of Arizona. Visitors can learn about the architecture, agriculture, pottery and other artifacts with beautiful views of Tonto Basin and Roosevelt Lake.

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.

The Cocoraque Butte Archaeological District is located in Ironwood Forest National Monument, in Pima County, Arizona. Added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1975, it features ancient Hohokam ruins, hundreds of well-preserved petroglyphs, and the historic Cocoraque Ranch.

The Lost Dutchman State Park covers 320 acres in the middle of Arizona, not far from the Superstition Mountains. The park was created in 1977, and it's named after the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine.The park offers camping facilities, day use parking and acts as a trailhead for the trails leading into the Tonto National Forest in which the Superstition Mountains are located. Many people confuse these National Forest trails with trails that are maintained by Lost Dutchman State Park.

This is such an enjoyably moderate trail that loops in Lost Dutchman State Park. While hiking you will witness some of the most breathtaking geological terrains. After a fire swept through this area some time ago, the land has recovered with low sparse vegetation; taller plants such as Saguaro, Cholla, Barrel Cactus, Palo Verde and Mesquite continue to survive.

The Siphon Draw Trail leads up the bajadas of Lost Dutchman State Park into a rugged canyon within the Superstition Mountain complex.This hike is somewhat unique in that in less than 2 miles. It traverses a State Park (Lost Dutchman), a National Forest, and a Wilderness Area while urban views of the Greater Phoenix Area are always at hand.

Pinnacle Peak is a granite summit located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The peak rises to an elevation of 3,169 feet. It is located within the 150-acre Pinnacle Peak Park, operated by the City of Scottsdale Park District. Part of the Sonoran Desert, the park is home to a variety of native desert flora and fauna. Hikers utilize a 1.75 mile trail to explore the area, though rock climbing skills are needed to reach the summit.

Workman Creek is a watercourse in the Salome Wilderness in central Arizona, United States.The watershed holds a diverse flora and fauna. Within this part of the Sierra Ancha Range there are notable disjunctive populations of Coastal woodfern, Dryopteris arguta; this fern is otherwise common in areas nearer the Pacific coast.