Butcher Jones Recreation Site — Attraction in Four Corners States

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW A $7 permit is required to park here each day. This permit is good at all Tonto National Forest locations during that same day. Take note that the permit is not available at the recreation area. Instead, you must purchase the Tonto National Forest permit at a gas station convenience store or at the Saguaro Del Norte Rec Site. There are many of these locations and most have a distinct sign out front stating "Tonto Forest Pass Sold Hold". The nearest location is about 12 miles south, back in Mesa (south on Bush Hwy) or about equally as far going back to Fountain Hills on Hwy 87.

This area is popular in the spring for picnickers and campers; but, especially in the summer since it provides easy access to a beach and water sports. This means you may sometimes encounter extra noise and activities that may detract from the birding. Additionally, this lake also attracts a fair amount of boating and water skiing. Depending on the amount of people-activity, the birds may be driven to the far shore where a scope will absolutely be necessary.

Since you (presumably) purchased a day pass to get to this location, you should also check out the west end of the lake by entering through the main entrance, which is about 3/4 mile south of where you turned into Butcher Jones. After driving through the main entrance, follow the road around to the north edge of the lake, park, and scan over the water with your scope.

WHEN TO GO & WHAT TO SEE Winter, spring, and fall are the most productive seasons here for the count of bird species. Butcher Jones does not sport any specialties other than the typical desert avifauna. However, its ease of access make it a convenient spot for local birders to frequent in hopes for finding a migrating or winter vagrants on the lake; or, in the surround mesquite trees. This particular spot opens up to a nice sized bay that looks out over Saguaro Lake. This larger lake attracts waterfowl, Western & Clark's Grebes, and occasional Bald Eagles. Loons are infrequent as well plus an accidental Black Scoter.

A trail leads off the SW edge of the parking lot and follows the edge of the lake.

My List of 51 Species Seen in Visits Northern Pintail Gila Woodpecker Ruby-crowned Kinglet Ring-necked Duck Ladder-backed Woodpecker American Robin Lesser Scaup Gilded Flicker Curve-billed Thrasher White-winged Scoter Black Phoebe Phainopepla Common Merganser Say's Phoebe Yellow-rumped Warbler Ruddy Duck Brown-crested Flycatcher Common Yellowthroat Common Loon Bell's Vireo Spotted Towhee Pied-billed Grebe Common Raven Canyon Towhee Eared Grebe Violet-green Swallow Abert's Towhee Western Grebe Bridled Titmouse Black-throated Sparrow Turkey Vulture Verdin White-crowned Sparrow Harris's Hawk Cactus Wren Dark-eyed Junco Sora Rock Wren Northern Cardinal American Coot Canyon Wren Red-winged Blackbird White-winged Dove Bewick's Wren Great-tailed Grackle Mourning Dove Marsh Wren Brown-headed Cowbird Inca Dove Blue-gray...

We had an absolutely fantastic time at the Butcher Jones Trail, nestled close to Saguaro Lake in Arizona. This trail truly lives up to its reputation for offering a serene escape into nature, combining the rugged beauty of the desert with the tranquility of the water.

From the moment we arrived at the Butcher Jones Recreation Site, the experience was enchanting. The trail starts off with a gentle path through a shaded area, where mesquite trees provide a cool canopy, making the initial part of the hike pleasantly relaxing. As we ventured further, the trail hugged the shoreline of Saguaro Lake, offering breathtaking views of the water, the surrounding cliffs, and the distant mountains. The colors of the desert, from the greens of the vegetation to the blues of the lake, were a stark and beautiful contrast to the typical dry landscape one might expect.

The trail itself, with its moderate difficulty, was perfect for our group. It's narrow in parts, adding a bit of adventure to the walk, but it's well-maintained and accessible for most fitness levels. We enjoyed stopping at various points to take in the scenery, spotting wildlife like lizards and birds, and even catching glimpses of kayakers and paddleboarders enjoying the lake below.

The highlight was definitely reaching the viewpoint near Burro Cove; the panoramic view from there was simply stunning, making it an ideal spot for a picnic or just a moment of contemplation. We made sure to bring plenty of water, as the hike can get warm, but this preparation allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience without worry.

Overall, the Butcher Jones Trail provided us with a memorable day filled with natural beauty, exercise, and a sense of peace that only such a place can offer. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the hidden gems of...

Went here for a hike in mid March around noon. The weather was perfect. I'm not a hiker, so when I say it was a relatively easy hike, take that for what it's worth. I was glad to have some water, as there is an increase in elevation and it was warm, but the pathway was mostly easy to traverse (a couple little rocky parts you have to step across carefully), and I never got winded. The downside to the hike is that it is almost entirely single file, so bear that in mind when considering going with someone else. The best part of the hike is about halfway when you reach the top of the hill and can oversee the lake, and the view around the corner of the trail from there. Most of the hike has water visible, which is great on a clear day, but there's not really a destination at the end. If you're there for a hike, keep trudging; if you want a view, stop before the end :) I didn't spend any time at the small beach on the lake, but it looked nice. There's a nice park area for playing. Horses go through there daily, but I didn't see any while there. There is a nice collection of birds that fly around and I saw some beautiful cardinals - bird watchers might enjoy a stroll. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and grills by the tables. A pass is required. Be sure to pick it up ahead of time at a Circle K for a little cheaper (passes not sold on site). You can find a vendor...