Butcher Jones Recreation Site, Fort McDowell AZ

Excellent place to take the kids and dogs. You can walk easily out into the water via a beach-like area. Bring an umbrella for shade and charcoal briquettes for grilling. They have little bbq pits for public use. Restrooms are on-site as well. You can purchase Tonto passes on-site for $12.

Mosquito and bugs are terrible at night. It was unbearable. Not sure how it is during the day.

Beautiful place to swim but soooo much trash all over the shore. Definitely going back to enjoy this gem of a cove! Wish people would clean up after themselves.

I've been here twice, once was in April and it was lovely, not very buys, clean. I visited again in July and it was disgusting.trash overflowing everywhere, people smoking all over the place, water was nasty. So really depends on time of year that you go!

Family and friends come here often. We always have a blast. Come early or late. If you come after 9am it's sure to be packed. Always bring sunscreen and plenty of water.

We have gone weekly since the kids have been on summer break. However, today was the most disappointing after the holiday weekend (4th of july) there was so much trash left behind and in the water. Please don't be a trash human and pick up after yourselves!

Perfect. Don't bother with Tonto passes! You'll need a national parks pass though. Get there early, by 715 am on weekends!

Hike the 4 mile trail in and out and jump on the water!

Nice beach area. Very popular. Can picnic right up to water.
Picnic tables are 100 yards from water.bring shade. Hot in summer but water is great.
Lots of paddle boards

The lake was pretty dirty, and even tho it's dog friendly, there was a horrible dog fight, and the owner was bite horribly. We left after that. They are also people selling liquor in back backs, they need to patrol a lot.

Pretty cool place to canoe, kayak or paddle board.but the 3 or 4 large trash dumpsters were overflowing, stinking and bees all over the debris.yukkk

I parked here and hiked the Rolls OHV road a bit to see what the views would look like from above.

I parked here and walked up Rolls OHV road a bit to see what the views would look like from above.

Great place to go Swimming, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, relaxing, exploring and much more. I suggest you go there during the weekdays either in the morning or dusk time. Avoid weekends and holidays of any kind unless you like over crowdness. There are also wild horses that come to drink so keep an eye out.

Butcher Jones is definitely a favorite of ours.but you have to get their early. It's a popular spot that gets pretty busy!

We took our Paddle Board's out for the first time this morning. We stayed in the no wake zone since we were beginners. This area is pretty calm, but as they day starts to pass and more boats come out, you can start to feel the waves flowing in. Still a great area for kids and families. There isn't a whole lot of shade, so bring something out for coverage, especially during the summer months.

Lots of people, kids, dogs, tents by the time we got off the water! Oh yea. Restrooms are available on site. They are not super clean but better than no restroom. They are stocked with TP but as days gets busier, might be best to plan for some.

As always. Pack Out what you Pack in. Leave places better than you found them. Also, be kind to your parks staff, it's hot and they are just doing their job. It is because if the park service that we have places like this. Enjoy.

Went on a sunset paddle boarding trip here. Saw the sun set and the nearly full moon rise from the lake on my board. If any person wants to come visit me during the summer, this is what I'm going to take them to do.