Is The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area first-come first-served or reservation?

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This site does not require reservations; it is boat-access-only and likely operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What is the best time to visit The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area?

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area is open No specific peak season dates provided.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area?

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area?

Fire policies at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area: No information provided about fire policies.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area have?

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area has 3 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area?

Pets are not allowed at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area?

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area?

Popular activities at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area include Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

4.22

27 reviews

5140 E Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205

Summer Destination

Featured in:Camping Near Phoenix

Quick Facts

1,700 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,700 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No fee information is explicitly provided for camping at The Point Boat Dock, Campground and Picnic Area.

No campsite fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

(480) 610-3300

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

5140 E Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

5140 E Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205

Nearby places

Mesa (approx. 17 miles away)

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel can likely be obtained in Mesa, AZ.

Driving directionsThis site is 17 miles northeast of Apache Junction on Arizona State Hwy. 88, (historic “Apache Trail”). From Mesa, take US 60 to the Idaho Road exit. Go north on Idaho Road to State Hwy. 88 and turn right. After crossing the first bridge at the lake, watch for Palo Verde Recreation Site sign and turn left into site. The entire route to the lake is paved with narrow, sharp curves; traffic is heavy. The last 3 miles are by boat.

The route to the lake is paved but includes narrow, sharp curves and heavy traffic. Access to the campground itself requires traveling the last 3 miles by boat.

Weather at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Best Time to Camp at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Summer is the practical season here. Daytime highs run mid-80s to low 100s, mornings start in the 60s. The heat makes the lake essential, not optional. Boating, swimming, and fishing work best when you can cool off between sessions. Weekends bring more boat traffic. Monsoons arrive unpredictably through summer. Late fall to early spring offers cooler mornings and warm afternoons, though the water loses its appeal when air temperatures drop.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer cited as the practical season; lake access essential for cooling and recreation.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: No specific peak season dates provided.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.

About The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

The Point sits on Canyon Lake in the Mesa Ranger District, accessible only by boat. Three camp units double as day-use picnic areas, making this a practical basecamp for boaters and anglers. There's a courtesy dock, vault toilets, and picnic tables. No garbage collection, so pack everything out.

The Point Boat Dock offers unique camping accommodation accessible only by watercraft. It has three designated camp units that are also used for picnicking.

Historical Significance

The campground sits along the Apache Trail, a route used by Apache peoples before prospectors turned it into a road to the Superstition Mountains. Canyon Lake itself is a modern reservoir, but the surrounding landscape holds layers of older history.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the practical season here. Daytime highs run mid-80s to low 100s, mornings start in the 60s. The heat makes the lake essential, not optional. Boating, swimming, and fishing work best when you can cool off between sessions. Weekends bring more boat traffic. Monsoons arrive unpredictably through summer. Late fall to early spring offers cooler mornings and warm afternoons, though the water loses its appeal when air temperatures drop.

ElevationPerched at 1,700 feet above sea level, The Point occupies a sweet spot in Arizona's diverse topography where the low desert begins its gradual climb toward the mountains, creating a unique microclimate that balances accessibility with just enough elevation to provide stunning panoramic views and slightly cooler temperatures than the valley floor below.

Natural Features and SceneryCanyon Lake's blue water fills a canyon carved by volcanic activity and erosion over millions of years. Jagged cliffs drop straight to the shoreline. Desert mountains surround the lake, creating a water oasis in weathered rock country. The contrast between lake and desert is stark: saguaros grow near the water's edge at 1,700 feet elevation. Eagles and bighorn sheep live in the cliffs above.

Geological RegionSet within the geological wonderland of the Mesa Ranger District, The Point occupies a fascinating convergence where ancient volcanic activity and centuries of water erosion have carved out Canyon Lake's dramatic landscape. This rugged terrain tells a story millions of years in the making, where jagged cliffs plunge into deep blue waters, creating a water-based oasis amid the weathered rocks and desert mountains that define this remarkable corner of Arizona.

Scenic ViewsViews include waterfront settings at Canyon Lake and surrounding rocky terrain.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotels or lodges on-site.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are provided.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14-day stay limit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum guest limit per site is not specified.

Groups

No group camping sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThree camp units spread along the shoreline. All have lake access and work as either overnight sites or day-use picnic spots. The courtesy dock makes loading and unloading gear easier.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservation platforms specified; this campground is boat-access only and likely first-come, first-serve.

Walk-in AvailabilityThis site does not require reservations; it is boat-access-only and likely operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cancellation PolicyNo information provided about cancellation policies.

AccessibilityThe campground is accessible only by boat, limiting accessibility for individuals without watercraft access.

Site SizeThe campground has three designated camp units. Specific information regarding their size is not available.

PrivacyDetails about privacy levels of the campsites are not explicitly stated.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesNo details provided about recommendations for choosing specific campsites.

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site. No trailers - this site is accessible only to boaters.

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Camping at The Point Boat Dock focuses on water-based activities. Boating and fishing are popular due to the courtesy dock and the lake's features. The three camp units can also serve as picnic sites.

Fishing4.0/5

Fishing is common at Canyon Lake and a main draw; courtesy dock aids anglers.

Boating4.0/5

Boat-access-only site with a courtesy dock; boating is a primary activity.

Water Sports4.0/5

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing4.0/5Remote, boat-only desert location implies low light and good night skies.

Photography4.0/5Stunning blue water, jagged cliffs, and desert contrast make this highly photogenic.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include narrow, sharp curves on the road leading to the lake, risk of fuel leaks into water from boats, and extreme temperatures during summer months.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyNo information provided about fire policies.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are located in Mesa, AZ, including hospitals and police stations.

Trash & RecyclingNo garbage collection is available. Campers must pack out their trash.

Water FeaturesSituated directly on Canyon Lake, with a courtesy dock available for boaters.

Cell CoverageNo direct mention of cell phone service availability.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

27 reviews

Satisfactory

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are sparse but highlight the remote and boat-access-only nature of the campground. One user expressed difficulty returning home after camping.

Review Summaries

Based on 27 reviews

What Campers Love

The courtesy dock and remote location appeal to fisherman and boaters.

Based on 27 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users find the site difficult to access, as indicated by a review mentioning a near-death experience during return.

Based on 27 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are only three designated camp units, but no user reviews provide specific details about individual sites.

Based on 27 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers should ensure they have adequate boating skills and supplies due to the site's remote, boat-access-only nature.

Based on 27 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews highlight summer months as being popular for boating and fishing; however, there is limited data on seasonal differences beyond this.

Based on 27 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Went here for camp out but almost died coming back" (Review by Caleb Thomas)

Based on 27 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 27 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews discuss pet policies or pet-related experiences.

Based on 27 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No fee information is explicitly provided for camping at The Point Boat Dock, Campground and Picnic Area.

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

(480) 610-3300

Go if

Boaters and anglers who want a free lakeside spot with a courtesy dock and zero neighbors. Canyon Lake's blue water against jagged desert cliffs is the whole draw, and summer mornings before the heat peaks are the sweet spot.

Skip if

No boat means no entry, full stop. Also worth knowing: no potable water, no trash service, and at least one reviewer described the return trip as genuinely harrowing. Weak boating skills make this the wrong choice.

Nearby Campgrounds

Mesa Ranger District, 5140 E. Ingram St., Mesa, AZ 85205

Tortilla Campground sits in the Tonto National Forest foothills near Mesa, offering tent and RV sites with water and sewer hookups. Operated by Tonto National Forest, the campground provides access to hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Reviewers consistently praise the dramatic scenery, clean facilities, and attentive camp hosts, though sites are closely spaced.

The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

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Weather at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Best Time to Camp at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Planning Tips

About The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Policies & Safety

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Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Overview

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Ask Camp Sage about The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Best Time to Camp at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at The Point Boat Dock, Campground And Picnic Area

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews