Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground is a National Forest campground near Tonto Basin, Arizona.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Tonto Basin, Arizona

The central part of Apache Lake, whose north shore holds these boat-in campsites

Apache Lake seen from the Apache Trail (AZ 88) on the south side of the lake

Apache Lake among the canyon walls of the Salt River chain of reservoirs

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The central part of Apache Lake, whose north shore holds these boat-in campsites. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0

Managed by: National Forest

Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground sits inside Tonto National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Apache Lake: Boat-in camping on the north shore of Apache Lake, formed in 1927 when Horse Mesa Dam was completed; known for trout and warm-water fishing, with motorized and non-motorized boating. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by: National Forest
Reservations: None, first-come
Fee: Free
Entrance fee: Tonto Daily Pass plus Watercraft Sticker, or a Tonto Discovery Pass, required for boating on Apache Lake

Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; campflare.com, accessed 2026-09-29

What's there

✕ Potable water
✕ Toilets

No potable water and no toilets.

Rules

Stay limit: 14 days in a 30-day period

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation: 1,900 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T: No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away
T-Mobile: No coverage mapped
Verizon: No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

33.6268, -111.2109 in Gila. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

No. Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

How much does it cost to camp at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

Camping at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground is free.

Is there a separate entrance fee at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

Yes. The entrance fee is Tonto Daily Pass plus Watercraft Sticker, or a Tonto Discovery Pass, required for boating on Apache Lake.

Is there drinking water at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

No. Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.

How long can you stay at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

The stay limit at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground is 14 days in a 30-day period.

Is there cell service at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

Not at the campground on the FCC map, but AT&T shows 4G LTE about 0.3 mi away and Verizon shows 4G LTE about 0.3 mi away. The FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground itself, and nothing from T-Mobile within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.

Who manages Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground?

Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground

fishypedia.com · 4.2 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Roosevelt Lake, whose mapped center point is 4.2 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Roosevelt Lake fishing on fishypedia.com.

reservoirfinder.com · 28 miles

Bartlett Lake's mapped center point is 28 miles from Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground in a straight line. Current water level: Bartlett Lake water level on reservoirfinder.com.

Swimming nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest swimming hole to Apache Lake North Shore Boat Campground, in a straight line: Saguaro Lake (swimming hole, 19 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.