Below Horseshoe Dam, the Verde River is basically like the upper two reaches - mostly flatwater punctuated by occasional small, Class I to II rapids. It flows about 19 miles between the dam and Bartlett Reservoir though an area heavily vegetated with reeds, bulrushes, cottonwood and willow trees and desert scrub. Putting in just below Horseshoe Dam usually requires a machette job to clear a path through dense reeds, and upon reaching the river the first thing you will notice is probably that big hole in mid-river with its large, green wave that kayakers love because they can do air-blunts. Below the put-in, the river becomes a meandering, flatwater stream that is an easy paddle for almost any able-bodied person, and this area is somewhat popular with novice paddlers in canoes, kayaks and rafts. When flows exceed about 1,000 cfs, there is another large hole about midway through this reach, but at normal flows you will hardly notice it. Paralleling the stream on river right is a desert road that is best left to high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles, where getting sandbagged would be easy, and getting free would be difficult, as well as potentially costly. Though the excitement of upper reaches is gone, this area still offers an enjoyable and scenic trip through an area rife with wildlife, many species of gamefish, raparian vegetation indigenous to the Sonoran desert and no signs of civilization or commercial development. This run begins the final 38 miles of the river before reaching its confluence with the Salt River near Fort McDowell, just northeast of Scottsdale and the Phoenix metro area.

Yavapai and Maricopa counties of central Arizona, about an hour from the Phoenix metro area. This reach runs just northwest of Saguaro and Canyon Lakes, both created by hydroelectric dams on the Lower Salt River.

Flagstaff miles; Phoenix miles; Tucson miles; Albuquerque miles; Salt Lake City miles; Denver miles; Oklahoma City miles; Dallas miles; Austin miles; San Antonio miles; Houston miles; Little Rock miles; Kansas City miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken.)

Water quality is generally very good to excellent, flowing clean, clear and cold from Horseshoe Reservoir. Navigable flows depend upon the amount of water being released at the dam for hydroelectric generation and the water supply needs of residents, commercial, industrial, agricultural and municipal interests in and around the Greater Phoenix area.

This reach of the Verde River nearly always has an adequate flow for canoeing, kayaking and rafting, though flows may be tempered by drought conditions and the water needs in and around Phoenix.

There are no major hazards for competent boaters along this reach of the Verde River at normal flows. The holes at the top and in the middle of this run can become challenging at higher flows exceeding about 1,000 cfs.

Put in immediately below Horseshoe Dam at Fisherman's Point River Access Point (RAP) at 0.0 miles; Mesquite Flat RAP, just below Fisherman's Point RAP; Devil's Hole RAP, off FR 532 from Indian Springs Wash (4-wheel drive vehicles ONLY!); Bartlett Flat RAP, off FR 459 from FR 19; Take out at any access point on Bartlett Reservoir starting about 19 miles below the put-in.

There are two public camping areas along the Verde River just below Horseshoe Dam at Horseshoe Campground, adjacent to Fisherman's Point, and Mesquite Campground just south of there. Two additional public campgrounds are available near the top of Bartlett Reservoir at Bartlett Flats and SB Cove.

Contacts for river running and camping information are:

There are no known liveries or outfitters operating along this reach of the Lower Verde River. Plan on setting up and running your own shuttles. Beware the unimproved roads in the area - they are not hospitable to conventional vehicles. A Hummer or Land Rover would be nice!