Tonto Pass Guide

Tonto passes only work at Tonto National Forest. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) works at all federal recreation sites nationwide, including Tonto. If you only visit Tonto, either annual pass works. If you visit other federal lands, America the Beautiful is the better deal.

Yes. You need a Tonto Pass ($8/day), Tonto Discovery Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass to park at Saguaro Lake, including Butcher Jones Beach, Saguaro del Norte, and the marina.

A Tonto Pass is a parking pass required at most developed recreation sites in Tonto National Forest, which covers 2.9 million acres east of Phoenix. The daily pass ($8) is sold at gas stations and convenience stores near the forest. Annual options include the Tonto Discovery Pass ($80/yr, Tonto only) and the America the Beautiful Pass ($80/yr, all federal sites).

Yes. Canyon Lake is inside Tonto National Forest, so you need a Tonto Pass ($8/day), Tonto Discovery Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass to park at the marina, boat ramp, Boulder Recreation Site, and all day-use areas. Buy before you arrive at vendors along the Apache Trail or in Apache Junction.

Yes. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) is accepted at every Tonto National Forest day-use recreation site, including Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Bartlett Lake, Roosevelt Lake, and the Salt River. It works in place of a Tonto Pass or Tonto Discovery Pass.

Tonto is a National Forest, not a National Park — it's managed by the U.S. Forest Service, not the National Park Service. Searches for 'Tonto National Park pass' usually mean the Tonto National Forest pass, which is $8/day or $80/year (Discovery Pass).