Butcher Jones Trail- A Stunning Lakeside Trail in the Desert
I serously don’t know why I didn’t hike more of this trail years sooner. I’ve lived in Arizona for 10 years, and now this is one of my favorite hikes. Butcher Jones Trail is located in Tonto National Forest alongside Saguaro Lake with stunning mountainous views. You don’t normally associate Arizona with mountains and lakes TOGETHER, but this will prove you wrong.
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Where Is The Butcher Jones Trail?
Butcher Jones Trail is located in Tonto National Forest, along Saguaro Lake, which is a reservoir of the Salt River. Butcher Jones recreation area has a large parking area, picnic tables, bathrooms, and a beach- or at least Arizona’s version of a beach. This shoreline is usually covered with families, people paddleboarding, swimming, and having picnics. It’s fun, but sometimes can be a bit wild haha. The trailhead for the Butcher Jones Trail starts in this area too.
You do need a $7 Tonto Pass to park here. There is a kiosk in the parking lot. You can also use your America The Beautiful Pass as well.
Need Good Hiking Boots?
Parking For The Butcher Jones Trail
Like I mentioned, there is plenty of parking in this area. It’s built to hold a lot of people especially for popular warm months. I suggest getting an America The Beautiful Annual Pass if you go here often. Make sure to lock your car and protect your stuff.
To get to the trail, you’ll have to pass all the party people, haha. I love this area in the summer for sunset padling and swimming.
HIKE STATS
Starting the Butcher Jones Trail
This trail is overall not too difficult. I would honestly rate the Butcher Jones Trail easy for most. You’ll start hiking along the lake and wrap around a little cove, going through a tree tunnel for a little bit. You’ll come out on the other side with beautiful views looking back towards the Butcher Jones shore.
SAFETY NOTE
Other Desert Hikes in the Area
EJ Peak– My favorite 1 hour hike with amazing views
Usery Mountain Pass– An epic loop trail
Continuing The Butcher Jones Trail
This trail surprised me on every turn. It was so nice. Note that Butcher Jones is more busy on the weekends. Because it is a skinny trail, it’s not as fun to pass hikers when it’s busy, but it’s OK! I love that this trail wraps around coves and continues to hug the water. I didn’t find the elevation gain too bad at all. There were parts of Saguaro Lake I’ve NEVER seen before (I have yet to go boating on it).
my hiking/running vest: osprey duro
my husbands hiking/running vest: rei swiftland
My Favorite photo spot
I noted that this trail is 5.8 mi RT, but you do NOT have to do the whole thing! We only did 4 mi total. All of it is beautiful, just depends on how much time you have. My favorite photo spot was at 1.3 mi. Below I marked the location and direction of the photo. This spot of the Butcher Jones Trail is STUNNING. The towering mountains hitting the calm waters. The layers. Ahhh. Highly recommend making it to here at least.
“Where Can I Find This Spot?”
At the 1.2-1.3 mile mark, you’ll be looking East as the photo below pictures. There was a tiny pull off on the right side of the trail that I used to take a photo. I LOVE unexpected spots like this that become some of my favorite photos.
Gear For Butcher Jones Trail
BACKPACK: BUDGET ($50) OR SPLURGE ($100).
SHOES: BUDGET ($50-80) OR SPLURGE ($200).
HIKING STICKS: BUDGET ($30)
TRIPOD: BUDGET ($21)
Final Thoughts About The Butcher Jones Trail
Honestly, I’m obsessed. Need to go back again on a weekday morning for sunrise. It is so beautiful. Really makes me appreciate living somewhere this beautiful. Highly recommend. As always, leave no trace.
Have More Time? Explore the Area!
Check out these other hikes in the Superstitions and beyond!
Gateway Canyon- A Salt River Hike
