Guides · September 30, 2026 · 3 min read
Tonto Pass explained: which lakes need one and what it costs
Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, Roosevelt and Bartlett lakes all need a Tonto Pass. Here is what to buy for a jet ski trip and where to get it.
Most of the lakes east and north of Phoenix sit inside the Tonto National Forest, and the Forest Service requires a pass to park and launch there. If you are towing jet skis, you need two things.
What you need
- A Tonto Daily Pass for the vehicle. The Forest Service lists it at $8 per vehicle per day.
- A watercraft sticker for each motorized watercraft you tow, stuck to the Daily Pass. The Forest Service lists it at $4 each.
So one vehicle towing two WaveRunners to Saguaro Lake is $8 plus $4 plus $4, or $16 for the day. Prices are set by the Forest Service and can change, so check the Tonto National Forest passes page before you go.
Which lakes need it
- Saguaro Lake
- Canyon Lake
- Apache Lake
- Roosevelt Lake
- Bartlett Lake
Which lakes do not
Lake Pleasant is a Maricopa County regional park. You pay entry and a watercraft fee at the gate instead. Lake Havasu and Lake Powell have their own state park, city or national park fees.
Where to buy one
Passes are sold at Forest Service offices and retailers around the Valley, and we carry them at the shop. Grab them at pickup the night before so you are not hunting for a gas station at 7 a.m.
