North of Carefree
Bartlett Lake jet ski rentals
Sandy coves, shoreline camping and quiet desert water northeast of Carefree.
About Bartlett Lake
Bartlett Lake is about 48 miles from downtown Phoenix and 17 miles northeast of Carefree, on the Verde River in the Tonto National Forest. Visitors spot mule deer, bald eagles, javelina and coyotes among saguaro, mesquite and blooming ocotillo. Affordable shoreline camping makes it a great weekend trip with friends or family.
Good for
- Sandy coves and beaches
- Shoreline camping for a weekend
- Usually calmer than Saguaro on weekends
Know before you go
- Tonto Daily Pass plus a watercraft sticker for each ski
- Bartlett Lake Road is paved and scenic
- Bring shade. There is little natural cover
Plan your ride
Bartlett Lake 7-day forecast
Live forecast at the water, updated every hour. We flag the best day to ride.
Forecast from Open-Meteo. Best day = warm, light wind, low chance of rain. Book that day before it fills.
More lakes
Other places to ride
Saguaro Lake
Ten miles of water under red canyon walls, about 40 minutes from the shop.
Canyon Lake
Narrow, winding canyon water off the Apache Trail with the Superstitions all around.
Lake Pleasant
The Valley's largest lake, with open water, two marinas and room to run.
Apache Lake
Seventeen miles of deep canyon water between Canyon Lake and Roosevelt.
Roosevelt Lake
The biggest lake entirely within Arizona, under the arch of the Roosevelt Lake Bridge.
Lake Havasu
Colorado River water, the London Bridge and the West's favorite jet ski town.
Laughlin
The Colorado River between Bullhead City and Laughlin, with Lake Mohave just upstream.
Lake Powell
Nearly 2,000 miles of red rock shoreline in Glen Canyon.
Your Bartlett Lake day starts in Tempe
Book online in a couple of minutes, or call and talk to a real person at the shop.