Roosevelt Lake sits at the northern end of the Apache Trail — the first and largest of four Salt River Project lakes that cascade down toward Phoenix. At full capacity it covers more than 21,000 surface acres, stretches nearly 22 miles in length, and offers 128 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake located entirely within Arizona's borders, and one of the most historically significant bodies of water in the American Southwest.

The Dam and Its History

The story of Roosevelt Lake begins in 1902, when President Theodore Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act — providing federal loans for construction of water projects across the American West. Arizona ranchers and farmers, desperate to tame the erratic and destructive floods of the Salt River, pledged their own land as collateral for a loan to build a dam. Construction began in 1905 and the Theodore Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911 — the world's tallest masonry dam at the time at 280 feet and the oldest artificial reservoir in Arizona.

When the dam was completed, Roosevelt Lake became the largest man-made lake in the world. President Roosevelt himself drove to the dedication — a remarkable journey over rough desert roads. The dam, lake, and its water distribution system turned the Arizona desert into fertile agricultural land and laid the foundation for the growth of metropolitan Phoenix.

In 1996 the dam was modified and raised to 357 feet, expanding the lake's water storage capacity by 20%. Today it holds back more than 1.6 million acre-feet of water and remains a vital part of a system responsible for delivering over half of the Phoenix Valley's yearly water supply.

The People Before the Dam

The Tonto Basin that now lies beneath and around Roosevelt Lake has been inhabited for thousands of years. The Hohokam and later the Salado people farmed this valley for centuries before European contact — ancient cliff dwellings overlooking the Tonto Basin can still be visited at Tonto National Monument, just across the water from Porter Springs. The Apache also lived and hunted throughout this region — the landscape around Roosevelt is deeply layered with human history.

Our Camp — Porter Springs Recreation Site, May 3–5, 2024

We camped at Porter Springs Recreation Site on the southeastern shore — one of several recreation areas spread around the lake and one of the better spots for a quieter experience away from the main boat traffic. The desert views from camp are sweeping — saguaro-covered hills rising above the water in every direction, the lake stretching out wide and blue in front of you.

We dipped in along the shore — the water in early May was refreshing without being cold, the desert air warm and dry around us. We took our Oru kayaks out on the calm water and explored the shoreline from the water — the lake has a different character from that level. Coves, rocky points, quiet edges where the desert meets the water. We stayed reasonably close to shore, content to drift and watch.

Wildlife was a constant companion. A rabbit worked the campsite edges during the day. Birds were active throughout — various species moving through the mesquite and along the water. At night the lake came alive with sound — frogs calling from the shallows, fish jumping and splashing in the darkness, coyotes howling from somewhere across the water. Falling asleep to that combination of sounds is one of the better things about camping at Roosevelt.

Fishing

Roosevelt Lake is considered one of Arizona's premier bass fisheries. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and flathead catfish all inhabit the lake. Spring crappie spawns draw serious anglers from across the state. Largemouth bass fishing is strong year-round with trophy fish possible. The lake is periodically stocked with game fish and is managed as a significant recreational fishery within the Tonto National Forest.

Recreation Areas Around the Lake

Roosevelt Lake has multiple developed recreation areas spread around its shoreline:

Cholla Recreation Site — the largest campground, with paved roads, full hookups, a scenic mesa setting, and a boat launch. The most developed option on the lake.

Porter Springs Recreation Site — where we camped. Quieter and more dispersed than Cholla — good for those seeking a less developed experience with lake access and desert views.

Windy Hill Recreation Site — another popular campgroun

d with picnic facilities and lake access on the southeastern shore.

Grapevine Point — a group campsite option with boat launch access.

Schoolhouse Point — 40 campsites in Mesquite Loop near the eastern

shore, accommodating RVs and trailers. Each site has a shade ramada, picnic table, and campfire ring with grill.

Roosevelt Marina — boat rentals, boat launch, storage, snack bar, and fuel for boats.

Tonto National Monument — just 2 miles from the dam, the cliff dwellings of the Salado people overlook the lake from above. Worth a stop on any Roosevelt Lake trip. See Location

Vineyard Trail — the only maintained hiking path along the lake. Starts just west of the dam and climbs cactus-covered hills for views over the Salt River Valley and the Apache Trail below. Short but rewarding.

Kayaking at Roosevelt

Roosevelt Lake is excellent kayaking water — wide open stretches for open water paddling and countless coves and shoreline sections for more sheltered exploration. The lake's size means you can find quiet water even on busy weekends by paddling away from the main boat traffic areas. Our Oru kayaks were perfect for the lake — lightweight, packable, and easy to carry from camp to the water.

Be aware that motorized boat traffic can be significant on weekends — especially during summer. Early morning paddling before the boat traffic picks up is the best window for calm water.

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