Located northeast of Phoenix, Tonto National Forest encompasses over 2.8 million acres. It is as diverse as it is expansive. The southern portion of the Forest overlaps with the Sonoran Desert. The rusty colored mountain slopes are dotted with the skyward reaching Saguaro Cacti. On the northern portion of the Forest, around Payson, you will find Ponderosa Pines and snowcapped mountain peaks. This forest certainly has an identity crisis.

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When you first enter, you are greeted by the Superstition Mountains. These are a small range of bizzare shaped mountains visible for miles. Man-made lakes formed by the Roosevelt Dam and the Horse Mesa Dam create an oasis in an otherwise arid environment. Apache Lake, the lake I spend three days kayaking, had some of the largest Saguaro Cacti right on its banks. The contrast of desert life and abundant water was striking.

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The road to Apache Lake from Apache Junction (a suburb of Phoenix) was not for the faint of heart. Once the pavement ended, the dirt road quickly led to unexpected, narrow, and steep switchbacks. Pulling a 25-foot trailer didn’t make this an easy task, especially when passing other vehicles. Somehow, we made it down unscathed. I later found out there was a detour that would have got me there in half the time with no nail-biting craziness.

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The area around Payson was really gorgeous. The cooler temperatures in the higher elevations were a treat. And the area was teaming with wildlife and had beautiful outcrops of cream colored stone. This medium-sized town, popular with retirees, had a taste of a big city, yet had a small-town feel. It had a casino, Super Walmart and Home Depot. But seclusion could quickly be found outside the city limits.

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From Phoenix, you have the option of heading north into the Prescott National Forest or northeast into the Tonto National Forest. I am glad I chose and I recommend you choose Tonto due to its varied landscape and its large lakes. But the other benefit is that the roads through Tonto lead into the Coconino National Forest. So, you get to spent more time in these precious lands.