Tours and Tickets to Experience Tonto National Forest

There are plenty of ways to experience Tonto National Forest. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset

• Private Scottsdale Off-Road Jeep Tour

• Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour

• Scottsdale & Phoenix 2 Hour Desert Guided ATV Tour

• Scottsdale ATV/UTV Sand Buggy Off-Road Tour in the Sonoran Desert

That depends. A standard daily pass to visit Tonto National Forest currently costs US$8 per person. They can be purchased from Tonto National Forest ranger stations or from dozens of local retailers, such as sporting goods stores or supermarkets. If you’ve got a boat, you’ll need a watercraft sticker for US$4.

Spanning just under 3 million acres, Tonto National Forest is known as the largest national forest in Arizona, and one of the state’s most stunning nature reserves. The park is home to rugged canyons, the Salt and Verde rivers, and six man-made lakes. You’ll also find Sonoran Desert cacti growing here.

You’ll find the best weather in the shoulder seasons, while in summer, people seek relief from the heat along Tonto National Forest’s lake beaches. (The fire season runs from May to mid-July, so watch out for restrictions then.) In winter, you can get a permit to cut down a Christmas tree.

Yes, Tonto National Forest is a great option for families traveling with children. You’ll find an array of downloadable activities on the official park website in both English and Spanish. You can also ask for a Junior Ranger Booklet (for ages 6–12) at any Visitor Center in Tonto’s districts.

Yes, public restrooms (or sometimes, just vault toilets, but it depends on the exact site) are available at Tonto National Forest. You can check the official website for a full list of amenities in each section of the park, including potable water, picnic tables, and fishing or boating points.