Horseshoe Reservoir Destination Report
| Name: | Horseshoe Reservoir |
| Location: | Best route from Phoenix is to take Pima Rd north from the Pima/Princess off ramp on the Loop 101 in Scotsdale all the way up to Cave Creek Rd. Turn right onto Cave Creek rd. Take Cave Creek Rd up to Bartlett Lake Rd. Make a right onto Bartlett Lake Rd and drive about 5 to 6 miles to the turn off for Horseshoe(it will be on the left). Take this road about 7 miles to the reservoir, the last 5 miles are not paved, but is an improved dirt road. |
| Season: | The lake is best to paddle in March through May |
| Type of Craft: | Sea Kayak, Recreational Kayak or Canoe |
| Water levels: | The best water level you want on this lake is above 90 feet on the gauge. Check USGS for current Level. This puts the water level about 4 feet above the end of the boat ramp. You can paddle the lake below this level, but the best part of the lake(the back end where the Verde flows in) is unaccessable below this level. |
Horseshoe reservoir is a great lake for Kayakers and Canoers when the level is right. This is due in fact that our arch-enemies(Water skiers, power boaters and jet-skis) are banned from this lake. This lake is only used by paddlers and small fishing boats. It is quiet and safe from powerboaters. The lake is used by SRP to keep Bartlett lake full during the summer, so it always gets drained. It is usually empty by July. The lake doesn't start to fill up again until the following winter and gets to the level I spoke of earlier by March. |
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