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About
The Point Boating Campground
The Point is located in the Mesa Ranger District and is mostly known for boat access only camping on Canyon Lake. There are only three designated camp units at this site, but the camp units can also be used as picnic sites for day use. Boaters enjoy The Point during summer months along with fishermen because of the courtesy dock. No garbage collection. Pack it in, Pack it out.
Access
Drive In, Boat In
Operator
National Forest
Contact
Location
The Point Boating Campground
is located in
Tonto National Forest
in
Arizona
Directions
This site is 17 miles northeast of Apache Junction on Arizona State Hwy. 88, (historic “Apache Trail”). From Mesa, take US 60 to the Idaho Road exit. Go north on Idaho Road to State Hwy. 88 and turn right. After crossing the first bridge at the lake, watch for Palo Verde Recreation Site sign and turn left into site. The entire route to the lake is paved with narrow, sharp curves; traffic is heavy. The last 3 miles are by boat. Click Here For Map.
1 Review of The Point Boating Campground
Kayak Camp in this Gorgeous Desert Canyon
About 2 miles upriver from the Mormon Flat Dam, the Tonto National Forest maintains 4 official campsites, complete with a covered picnic table and fire pit at each, as well as composting toilets and a great boat dock for larger boats.
The sites were in a bit of disrepair and the bathroom wasn’t stocked and smelled a bit, but the views and location of this site can’t be beat! Just come prepared with what you need. And, there was an emergency call button by the bathrooms (something we have never seen in any place we’ve camped?). No drinking water available, so be sure to bring at least 1 gallon per person per day.
Warnings: We found that this site could either feel extremely remote, or a total party scene with music blaring from a boat moored at the dock, depending on who is there and how they got there. Also, the wind can blow strongly up/down this canyon, so check the weather before heading in.
Keep on the lookout for lots of birds and Big Horned Sheep as you paddle/boat up river to the Horse Mesa Dam area. The dam is on lock down (you won’t actually see it), but the journey upriver is absolutely gorgeous with fascinating geology and beautiful Sonoran Desert cactus!
First-come, first-served, and…FREE!
