New to Tucson

[liquid diet]

Well, I just moved to Tucson from Vegas and I'd like some info on the best lakes to hit. Since I'm now two hours or more away from a lake I'll probably stay at campgrounds. Are there any lakes I can camp at and tie-up the boat in the water? Also, if anyone knows of a good neighborhood with nice lots or RV parking that would be great. I'm in the military so 150,000 is about my price range. Thanks

[Kurtis500]

Apache-Roosevelt-Canyon.. Salt River lakes

[Trouble Maker]

I was stationed there at DM for several years and now stationed at Nellis. We always went to Apache when we had jet-skis. It's a pretty nice lake. The road was still undeveloped at the time, so your stuff would always get dirty by the time you got to your favorite spot. It might be paved now though. We always went to Apache from the East side(Lake Roosevelt side, which is a nice lake also).
Have fun..

[AZKC]

LiquidDiet, Welcome to Tucson We frequent Apache the most, its about a 3 1/2 hour tow. The lakes about 16 miles dam to dam.
Roosevelt has been a mud hole for about the last 3 years but it is filling up this year(Its up to about 28%) probably alittle/alot dirty for awhile. But it will clearup as the runoff slows. They raised the dam about 5-6 years ago 75' when its full it will be a little bigger than Havasu But thats going to take a while.
Heres a couple of links
http://rooseveltlake.com/
http://www.apachelake.com/
Pics of Roosevelt

[ April 23, 2003, 07:37 AM: Message edited by: AZKC ]

[XTRM22]

Welcome LiquidDiet, I used to go to Apache alot, but figured that with 3 1/2 hours to Apache, or 4 1/2 to Havasu I'd rather go there. As you're looking at houses, remember the Northwest side is closer to all the lakes by almost an hour, Just kinda far from DM. If you venture up to Hooters on Ina sometime I'll bet me and AZKC would buy you a beer.
Chuck

[Tyler]

Hey, somebody else in Tucson! I just registered on the site too, but I've been reading the board for a while.
The closest lake is Patagonia. Its about 40 min SE. Its really small but its the only lake w/out hp restrictions in southern Az. It's going to be convenient for test runs and afternoon ski runs as soon as I have my boat finished (should be next week!!!) There are campgrounds close to the water. Let me know if you want to go down for a day trip in a couple weeks.

[XTRM22]

40 min SE? you are either way south, way east, or drive like mad man! We used to do afternoon runs to Patagonia to wakeboard during the week and it's a sold 1 1/2 hours from my house. 2hours flat to Canyon and there's a lot more lake. Even in my slow boat by the time we unwound we had to shut down or turn around at Patagonia, but it does have nice camp grounds, and is pretty as heck during the monsoons.
Chuck wink

[liquid diet]

Thanks for the info guys! Right now I'm here with-out the boats (19' Nordic Jet and 22' Baja Hammer). My wife and kids will come down in June once schools out. If I can't sell my nordic in time I have to fiqure out a way to get two boats down here. I'm staying in Rita Ranch with a friend but a trip to Hooter's is always on the plate.

[Tyler]

mapquest says you're right chuck. That blows, I was really looking forward to short trips down there. I drive fast...but not 60 miles in 40 min fast. Maybe I'll just try putting it in the Santa Cruz!!
Thanks for the correction

[XTRM22]

Hey Tyler, sorry to give you the bad news, but Patagonia has one other minor draw back, altitude. Makes it nice for slightly cooler summer runs, but there's enough difference between there and the river to need to mess with jets and timing on some motors. Plus if you're short on tow vehicle power like I used to be, there's pretty steep grades from either direction. My boat'll be at Havasu alot of the summer, but let me know if you ever wanna run to Canyon for a day if the boats home I'm usually up for the trip.
Chuck