Laguna Boating Site
About
Laguna Boating Site is a boat launch in the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, about 12 miles from the town of Gold Canyon. It is a day-use site with vault toilets. Winter and early spring are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Mormon Flat weather station show January highs around 67°F and lows near 44°F, while summer highs climb into the mid-100s. Day use fees are $8 per vehicle per day if paid at the Tonto NF Office or a retail vendor, or $12 per vehicle per day on-site at the Tonto Fee Machine. An annual pass costs $80, and a Tonto Watercraft Sticker is $4 per motorized watercraft if required. Palo Verde, a lake fishing spot, is less than a mile away. Tortilla Campground and The Point campground are both within 2 miles, and the Upper La Barge Canyon hike is about 2 miles off.
Launch Details
Fee
Day Use: $8 per vehicle per day (purchased at Tonto NF Office or Retail Vendor) $12 per vehicle per day (purchased on-site at Tonto Fee Machine) $80 per annual $60 per senior & access annual Tonto Watercraft Sticker: $4 per motorized watercraft, if required
Restrooms
Yes
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Nov–Apr. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 65–85°F and lows of 44–55°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Mormon Flat, AZ weather station, 2.1 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan67° high44° low
- Feb70° high45° low
- Mar77° high50° low
- Apr85° high55° low
- May94° high64° low
- Jun104° high73° low
- Jul106° high80° low
- Aug104° high79° low
- Sep98° high74° low
- Oct89° high63° low
- Nov75° high52° low
- Dec65° high44° low
Where it is
- Mesa Ranger District · Ranger district
- Tonto National Forest · National forest
- Nearest town
- Gold Canyon, Arizona · 12 mi
Conditions
Active alerts for Mesa Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:
Lower Salt Special Occupancy Use Order
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Black Queen Area Temporary Closure Extension
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Lower Salt River Seasonal Bald Eagle Closures
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Bulldog Canyon and SR 88 Recreational Area Camping Closure
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- Palo VerdeLake fishing0.8 mi
- Tortilla CampgroundCamping1.2 mi
- The PointCamping1.7 mi
- Upper La Barge CanyonHiking1.9 mi
- Boulder Canyon TrailHiking2.4 mi
- Black Mesa TrailHiking3.3 mi
- Upper CanyonRock climbing4.6 mi
- Lower CanyonRock climbing5.8 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
