Mazatzal Mountains -
“Land of the Deer”
North and northeast of the area are
the Mazatzal Mountains, some of the
most inaccessible country in Arizona.
The Mazatzal Wilderness contains over
252,500 acres and extends north to the
Mogollon Rim, near Payson. Geologists
believe the range was once as high as
the present-day Himalaya Mountains.
Erosion and mountain-building events
created a tortured landscape. Mazatzal
is from an old Indian culture in Mexico,
and is sometimes pronounced “Mah-
zaht-zahl,” meaning “land of the deer.”
Deer still roam there, along with
javelina, coyotes, bears and mountain
lions. Locals often say “Matt’-uh-zal,”
which sounds like “Mad as Hell,” the
name of a local ranch – probably
given after the owner chased his cows
through the wilderness.
The Verde River - Wild and Scenic
The Verde is Arizona’s only “Wild and Scenic” river. It was given the
designation by Congress in 1984. Canoers, kayakers and fishermen pit
themselves against the river’s challenges between Camp Verde and
Horseshoe Lake. For much of those 58 miles, the river flows through
the Mazatzal Wilderness with level I, II, and III rapids. Shortly after
passing through Fort McDowell, the Verde joins the Salt River near
Red Mountain.
The Salt River - Nurturing the Valley of the Sun
The Salt River was a challenge for early settlers, with either too
much or too little water. But, after Roosevelt Dam and four other
dams were built, it became a source of both water and power for
the Phoenix metro area. Today, it also provides water recreation.
Saguaro Lake is the closest of its four scenic lakes. Upstream from it
are Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake.
Fountain Hills/Fort McDowell Official Visitors Guide •
13
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52