Road Trip to Horseshoe Lake

In the outer reaches of Carefree, a paved road extends out east to Bartlett Lake. Halfway up this road though, is a treasure of a dirt road that most people simply drive by without ever giving it a second glance. Down this road is a glimpse into the undisturbed Arizona that existed before Phoenix exploded into the metropolis it is today.

The Horseshoe Dam Rd. takes you through hills, mountains and valleys on its way out to Horseshoe Lake. Along the way is a landscape almost entirely untouched with saguaro cacti flourishing around every corner. Miles and miles of unpaved road drive you through the mountains outside of the Phoenix area until the road finally begins to travel along the Verde River.

The road at this point becomes a bird watcher's paradise as dozens of species call this place home, including bald eagles. For this reason, access to certain areas of the river are prohibited from December to June, annually. Despite this, a few still have been seen flying up and down the river, but don't go out expecting to see them, even at peak time. You can expect to see a variety of hawks and falcons, among many other species.

As the road continues up the river, the west side of the Mazatzal Mountains come into clearer view, and in the winter, are typically capped or covered in snow. It's not far from here either until you arrive at the Horseshoe Dam, named so for the bend in the Verde River at this area. It's a nice area to get out and explore and even go underneath the dam to the other side of the river. Even more birds can be seen here including many different types of cranes. If there's been an unusually large amount of rain, walking underneath the dam adds an extra element as the water rushes above your head and in front of you on its way down.

Just past the dam is a flattened out piece of land that provides a relaxing and scenic resting spot with, other than the dam, is completely cut off from all signs of civilization. Thanks to its remote location, it doesn't see too many visitors making it an excellent, but nearby escape from the city.

Make sure you go with a full tank of gas, plenty of water and a fully inflated spare tire. The dirt road heads back roughly 20 miles one way and can be very bumpy and rough in some areas. A car technically is capable of making it all the way to the lake, but a high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended.