20 Attractions to Explore Near Saguaro Lake

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.

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.

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.

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 Superstition Mountain Museum collects, preserves and displays the artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction and the surrounding region. Perhaps nowhere in the entire United States is there an area full of legend, history and intrigue as the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in Central Arizona. It was lying on a 15-acre parcel in the shadow of the beautiful Superstition Mountains.

The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a rugged, strenuous hiking trail that will take your breath away with views.

Weavers Needle is an iconic Arizona summit, as the most striking peak among a wonderland of rock pinnacles in the Superstition Wilderness east of Phoenix. The Needle is a classic climb of the region, even though technical climbing is a very small portion of it. It's a worthy summit because of the formation's prestige, the view from the top, and the fun of a day out on desert rock. is set in a desert landscape of cactus and mesquite bush, with large Saguaro cacti particularly prominent.

Superstition Mountain is a prominent mountain and regional landmark located in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona, immediately east of Apache Junction and north of Gold Canyon. It anchors the west end of the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area and is a popular outdoor recreation destination, home to numerous trails for hiking and horseback riding. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine centers around the mountain.

The Silly Mountain Trailhead is 37 miles east of Phoenix and 8 miles south of Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, Arizona. It is one of the iconic attractions in this area and also there are so many things to explore.

This very popular trail on the edge of Tonto National Forest leads to a beautiful valley with native hieroglyphs. Near Apache Junction, ArizonaIt rises 1.45 miles through a bajada into the mouth of Hieroglyphics Canyon, where several panels of well-preserved petrogylphs are located above seasonal pools. The basalt rock etchings were mistaken by early European settlers for Egyptian hieroglyphs, hence the erroneous name.

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.

Fremont Saddle is one of the more popular hiking destinations in the Superstition Mountains. This trail winds through the canyon and then takes you up switch backs until you reach the saddle. The breath-taking view of Weavers Needle may convince you to stop here for the day, but I suggest going a bit farther.

The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, a.k.a. Airbase Arizona Aircraft Museum, was established in 1978, in Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. It is the 10th unit of the Commemorative Air Force and the home of one of the largest Commemorative Air Force units in the world. On exhibit are World War II artifacts, helicopters and classic American and foreign combat planes, many of which are the last remaining warbirds of their kinds.

The Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron near Phoenix, Arizona is known as one of the state’s top ten hikes to experience. This route is an unbelievable 6.05 mile round trip adventure that places hikers directly on top of the powerful and towering cliffs in the Superstition Mountains. This shady slot offers great views across the bajada, and spire-topped walls of the canyon. A seasonal waterfall trickles into a corner of the chute, which can make slickrock hazardous under heavy flows.

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.

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.

This trail begins off of the Dutchman basically at the Peralta Trailhead and climbs through some scenic views until it reaches the Dutchman Trail 104 at Crystal Spring on the southeast side of Bluff Springs Mountain. Bluff Springs itself is northwest of Crystal Spring along the Dutchman another quarter mile.

The Peralta Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Superstition Wilderness outside of Phoenix, and for good reason. This hike is one of the gateways into the 160,000-acre wilderness just an hour's drive from Phoenix and offers spectacular scenery and a moderate difficulty for the day hiker.This hike is not to be missed for it's scenic value and the satisfaction of reaching "the saddle" for spectacular views of the Weaver's Needle formation and the Superstition Wilderness beyond.

Lost Goldmine is a mostly blue trail with some difficult ups/downs through arroyos. There are no man-made features, so enjoy the natural ones, including excellent up-close views of the Superstition Mountains. The trail features an abundant collection of cholla, ocotillo, barrel cactus, saguaro, palo verde and mesquite.