scottsdale in sept.
 

i will be visiting family,and would like to go boating.which are the good lakes to go to,and do they rent boats at the lake?

What are you looking for scenery, partying, restaurant/bar, or family (g rated time)?

80 % partying & 20% scenery

Obviously Havasu (2.5 hour drive).

Lake Pleasant- mostly party, Dillon's food/bar, not the prettiest lake IMO but has it's moments.

Saguaro Lake- pretty, I haven't been in a few years but I'm sure they're still partying Sunday used to be the party day (most party people moved to Pleasant).

Most all the other lakes are beautiful but you'd have to make your own party.

I believe all the marinas at these lakes rent boats although some may only have pontoon boats... not sure.

Being in Scottsdale you're actually within a short drive from Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake and Saguaro Lake...

Lake Pleasant seems to be the biggest and most wide open lake, but still has coves to just float and hang out in. The lake can get a bit rough towards the middle to the end of the day from my experience (busted my shoulder when I hit wake on a jet ski there) ;)

Bartlett Lake is also close to Scottsdale and I think it's a great lake. It has some more open areas and several coves. Slower travelling and more narrow canyons and waterways to travel on from what I remember but last time we went to Bartlett the lake was 40 feet below normal level. They do rent boats at Bartlett. http://bartlettlake.com/

Saguaro Lake - Mesa, AZ - easy drive from Scottsdale. It's beautiful and they definitely have an area for boats to beach and party. I had a great time when we went to Saguaro. I don't think there is a boat rental place at Saguaro though. http://www.saguarolakemarina.com/

Many of the lakes in the Phoenix area are actually reservoirs and feed one another. They are known as the Salt River Reservoirs. (Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon and Saguaro) and then there is the Verde River Reservoirs (Bartlett, Horseshoe, Blue Ridge and Granite Reef). Here is more info on the lakes around the Phoenix Area:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_River_Project


Anyways, I hope this helps you out.