Maricopa County, Arizona
Bartlett Lake
Bartlett Lake is a reservoir in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix, fed by the Verde River and accessible via a long winding dirt road from the Carefree Highway corridor.
- Day use
- Freshwater
- Boat Access
- Remote
About this place
Bartlett Lake is a reservoir in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix, fed by the Verde River and accessible via a long winding dirt road from the Carefree Highway corridor. The lake's remote coves — particularly on the northern shoreline — have a long-standing informal clothing-optional tradition among Phoenix-area residents who make the journey specifically for the combination of desert lake scenery, warm water, and uncrowded conditions.
The C/O spots are primarily accessible by boat, allowing visitors to find their own cove on a lake that sees far fewer people than the more developed recreation areas closer to Phoenix. Kayaks and small motorboats are the most practical approach to reaching the secluded shoreline. The landscape is Sonoran Desert — saguaro-covered hillsides dropping to a turquoise lake, with the occasional osprey or great blue heron working the shallows.
Water temperatures are warm from April through November. The elevation is around 1,800 feet — warmer than the cool highlands to the north, but less brutal in summer than the Phoenix valley floor.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Phoenix-area boaters and outdoor enthusiasts willing to make the 1.5-hour drive, Tonto NF regulars, people specifically seeking a C/O lake experience in the desert.
How to find it
Take Carefree Highway east from I-17, then north on Bartlett Dam Road (a long, rough dirt road — high clearance helpful). Boat ramp at Bartlett Dam. Kayaks and small boats can reach the northern coves where C/O tradition is strongest.
Things to watch out for
Summer temperatures at the lake can reach 110°F — bring far more water than you think you need. The dirt road is rough and can be impassable after heavy rains. No facilities or shade at remote coves. Always file a float plan for desert lake trips.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
Remote coves are typically informal C/O territory accessed by boat. If clothed boaters pull in, read the situation. Desert lake etiquette: pack out everything.
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