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Lake Saguaro, Arizona: Address, Phone Number, Lake Saguaro Reviews: 4/5

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Lake Saguaro

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Lake Saguaro
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“Fun Day at the Lake”
Oct 2021
Boat rentals available.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
113 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
37
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Naptime17
Wausau, WI116 contributions
A great venue for a morning hike
We hiked the trail along the lake for about 1.5 miles before returning to the parking lot (totaling a three mile hike). The trail was easy to follow and brought us up close to both the lake and the variety of plant life along its shores. There were spots on the trail that appeared to have been recently muddy, but we had no trouble crossing.

Many birds singing and several bathroom options at the trailhead.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
shadeson
Bend, OR7 contributions
Get permit before you arrive!
Friends
New to the area, so wasn't aware that you needed to get the $6 Forest Pass before you left town. They do not sell them there and are strict about each car having a pass to park... lots of law enforcement. We drove back out 12 miles or so to the nearest gas station, and doubled back. We spent time at Butcher Jones rec area, which felt much like being at a real beach. Lots of people, but plenty of space and everyone was having fun and enjoyable to be around.
Written April 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Whitey1963
Marysville, OH28 contributions
Afternoon Dive
Couples
We drove to the marina and the picnic/beach area just to look around, as we had never been there before. There were boaters, jet skis, and also an area for atv’s to roam. When we get back to AZ, we plan on taking the lake boat tour, which covers the 10 mile lake down and back.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dawn M
Tempe, AZ15 contributions
Butcher Jones Recreation Site
Family
Our 1st trip to Butcher Jones was a complete bust for Father's Day. The site was easy to find, and my family of 6 arrived at 7:30 a.m. to find the beach area with only 3 families. The picnic table areas closest to the parking areas were pretty clean. However, the picnic areas closest to the beach had a heavy amount of litter. There is a no charcoal fire ban during the summer time and yet the BBQ grills had charcoal and trash in them. There was charcoal on the beach itself. The major issue was BEES which were all over the soda cans and trash. We walked out towards the lake away from the picnic areas and the bees were just a nuisance. We dropped an unopened package of napkins. The bees were all on top of that! There was a family at the waters edge who walked over to my family and said they have to leave because it's not safe as the bees were all over them. We did not stay and went back home. My children were disappointed since they never been to the lake before.
Written June 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dawne D
scottsdale, United States2 contributions
Unprofessional, Rude and Unconcerned
Solo
Brenda, the manager at the Saguaro Lake Marina has absolutely no customer service skills and was very unprofessional. I called to hold a reservation for a boat and they took my entire credit card number with the expiration date. I asked if the credit card number was in a secure area and was told it would sit in the reservation book for the entire month leading up to the reservation date. I explained, very maturely and politely my concerns of the credit card number sitting in a book at the front desk for an entire month. Without hesitation, Brenda became very hostile in conversation and said if I did not like it, don't book it and hung up in my face. When I called back to cancel my reservation and request my number be removed from the book and let her know just how unprofessional she handled that concern, she would not take the call. The young man who did answer the phone would not give me her last name. All of a sudden, nobody had a name. I would not trust a company who's management or employees can not talk like a mature adult and can not appreciate the concerns of credit card theft.
Written May 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephen
West Hollywood, CA46 contributions
A nice day out
Lake Saguaro is a beautiful sanctuary in the Phoenix area. There are picnic areas, boat launching facilities and a restaurant on site. You can take a nice narrated ride on the Desert Belle or you can rent a boat on your own. Try going during the week when it is less crowded.
Written February 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HWKbc
Iowa29 contributions
Beautiful area but know the rules!
Friends
After driving to this somewhat secluded area, we were very excited to hike around the lake. First, every parking area warns that you must have a pass showing in your parked vehicle. Fine, we drive around the area and see no where to purchase a pass. There is a sheriff station at the park, not for visitors or purchasing a pass. We then stop at the restaurant at the marina, again beautiful area BUT, they do not sell passes and you can not park in their parking lot unless you are going to eat there or if you are going to take the 90 minute boat tour. (Which does look awesome but it was two hours before the next tour.) So the employee in the restaurant explains we need to drive 13 miles back into Mesa to buy a pass. We decide we do not want to make a half hour round trip to buy a pass and leave.
The areas is breathtaking but I do not understand why you can not buy a pass anywhere on the premises! We will be more prepared next time we want to go to the lake.
Written February 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bobbylove8888
Phoenix, AZ26 contributions
excellent value for boat rentals!
Friends
precision marina at saguaro lake offers full and half day boat and kayak rentals at affordable prices. we rented a run about for 5 hours and the sites were awesome. it was hot but you just go over the side to cool off, wearing a life vest of course.
Written September 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kray997
Chandler, AZ1 contribution
Good for a short visit. Bring bug spray and do NOT go to the Lakeshore Restaurant
Family
Let me start by saying im not an "outdoorsy" kind of gal. We were invited to go to Butcher Jones Beach by a couple of friends and I thought it would be a great day for my husband and two kids. The first thing is that it is very close to the city, about a 30-40 min drive. Its convenient and we only had to stop at a nearby 711 to buy the $8.00 parking pass. When we were getting close more and more butterflies/moths started hitting the windshield. Now I will tell you I freak out with insects more than 99 % of the population. When we pulled into the recreation area, when I say there were a lot of flying insects, it would be an understatement. There were 10s of thousands flying around. My family literally had to coax me out of the car as I was laughing hysterically at the situation because I was thinking "this is my absolute worst nightmare". I can say the insects flying around did not seem to be dangerous. A few bees here and there but mostly butterflies and dragonflies. None the less, if I would have known I would have had to face my fears by walking into a swarm of biblical proportions, I may not have went. As we walked through the trees towards the water I was hit from all directions. Be careful where you step. Wild horses frequent the area and there are piles of poop around. It is a beautiful area though. Plenty of picnic tables and bbqs with nice shaded areas to eat (if you don't mind chasing the bugs away every 10 seconds). I didn't bring river shoes so I highly recommend them, there are lots of rocks in the water and your feet will get sore. Im not used to lakes so I cant say if it was "dirty" or not. I mean, its a lake so I didn't expect it to be crystal clear. It wasn't too crowded and I didn't see any dead fish floating around. It was definitely a family environment, no heavy drinkers or annoying parties. The kids and the husband enjoyed it and it was nice to be out in nature. We did go to the marina to see what the restaurant has to offer. Being that they are pretty much the only game in town for food, they definitely take advantage of that. Nachos for $17.95? No thanks. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING is three times the price that you would find anywhere. $16.00 for a cheeseburger? And not a gourmet cheeseburger, but a normal snack shack one. We just bought the $3.00 tiny cup of icecream instead. All in all, it was an okay family day but next time, ill definitely bring better provisions.
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Garey Fields
Phoenix, AZ175 contributions
Butcher Jones hiking trail is peaceful and relaxing
Friends
Butcher Jones Trail provides amazing views of Saguaro Lake. The great thing about this trail is that you maintain a view of the lake through out most of the trail. This trail has some narrow parts making it a tight fit while passing other hikers.

This is not a rocky trail like other desert trails. You get some red dirt like hiking in Georgia. I am not sure about elevation gain or distance from end to end because both are listed differently depending on which web site you check. However, distance is nearly 5.0 miles and elevation gain between 200 – 500 foot.

The first half of this trail is rated easy and good for the whole family. Weekends will give you the most foot traffic assuming you can find a parking spot, week days are great with less people and mostly friendly snow birds and mature folks.
Overall, I love this trail because it’s peaceful and relaxing. Be sure to bring your camera.
Written February 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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