Butcher Jones Trail
You will need a Tonto Pass ($6) for day use to park at the Saguaro Lake beach and Butcher Jones Trail. The trail skirts along the edge of the lake and provides a few access points along the way. Do not drink this water. Bring your own drinking water. Along the trail there are great opportunities for fishing.
This is one of the places you can enjoy in that heat of the summer. Although when I was there last the lake level was fairly low so you had to walk through lots of muddy water to get to the deeper water to swim in.
Vault toilets are available at the beach and trailhead.
Dog friendly. (leashes are encouraged).
Kid friendly. (There are no lifeguards. Watch your children around water.)
This site is 31 miles northeast of Mesa. From Mesa, travel 27 miles north on State Highway 87 to Bush Highway/Forest Road 204 and turn right. Follow Bush Highway 2 miles to FR 166 and turn left. Follow FR 166 for 2 miles to the site. The entire route is a paved road.
From East Mesa follow N. Ellsworth Rd. / Usery Pass Rd. to N. Bush Highway. Take a right on Bush Highway. Drive to Butcher Jones Beach Rd and take a right on Butcher Jones Beach Rd. Drive 2 miles to the beach. The trail is just to the left of the beach.