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I suggest you take a lunch or at least some hearty snacks with you, since you won't want to hurry on this adventure. We did not and reluctantly had to leave the lake when our hunger pains overpowered our kayaking joys. It was created by the damming of the Salt River, in Arizona, specifically by the Morman Flat Dam. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,660' and has a mean depth of 130', and an area of 1.484 mi². We launched our kayaks from the boat launch area at the far east end of the lake. A Tonto Pass and watercraft sticker is required to use a boat anywhere on the lake.
Twilight Dinner Cruise on Canyon Lake
The time frame was the beginning of October and the evening temperatures were in the high-80s. We sat on the front end of the lower level of the Dolly, near the beam. The Dolly is a one-of-a-kind experience in Arizona for families and couples.
Sightseeing and Dinner Steamboat Cruises in Tortilla Flat, Arizona
The check-in times can differ depending which cruise you are taking, but typically you’ll want to plan on being there 30 mins prior to the start time. First and foremost you can expect exceptional customer service from all team members during your cruise. I am very big on customer service since I’ve worked in it my entire life, so when crew members do a wonderful job at creating a positive experience I greatly appreciate it.
Recreational facilities at Canyon Lake
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Campsites are available at the Tortilla and the Canyon Lake Marina campgrounds. In addition, there are three campsites at the Point boat camp located three miles into the lake. The Dolly is 103 feet long and powered by a pair of 225 horsepower diesel engines. (Despite being called the Dolly Steamboat, there isn’t any steam involved in her operation.) She can carry 142 passengers on two decks and is operated by a crew of three.
Book your Dolly steamboat cruise now, and be sure to bring your friends and family along for the ride. Beat the heat on our climate controlled lower and upper decks. The Dolly Steamboat dinner cruise is a unique way to experience Arizona and all its beauty on Canyon Lake. On this 2.5-hour cruise, you can spot wildlife like bighorn sheep and bald eagles, watch the sunset over the mountains and stare at the bright night stars. For a family adventure near Phoenix or a romantic night in Arizona, take a cruise on the Dolly Steamboat to see one of the most beautiful places in Arizona.
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Cruise Canyon Lake, Arizona
There is free parking for passengers at the parking lot for the Canyon Lake Marina and Campground. The ticket office is located there, along with a restaurant that overlooks the lake. Buy tickets either online or over the phone in advance, as it is not unusual for a cruise to sell out. Canyon Lake is in the Tonto National Forest and passes of various types are required to use most public recreational facilities. If you plan to picnic, hike, fish, boat, or camp, make sure you have the appropriate passes.
My Dolly Steamboat Cruise Experience
He’s born and raised in Arizona but hasn’t taken one before so I figured it was time to show him why I love it so much. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are my own. I pride myself in being transparent and always sharing honestly with my readers.

The last rock formation that was pointed out to us on Canyon lake was Gorilla Rock. The moon appeared above the rock as we were passing by, so I was able to capture some great photos. From the boat launch, head directly across the main body of water. Once on the other side, you'll find a narrow finger waterway to paddle up.
Dolly Steamboat is an attraction close to Gold Canyon, Arizona. The Dolly Steamboat location is on Canyon Lake which is about 35 minutes from Highway 60 and Idaho Road in Apache Junction. Dolly Steamboat is a sightseeing and lunch or dinner cruise stern-wheeler boat that tours on Canyon Lake. The Dolly Steamboat is located at AZ-88, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, at Canyon Lake Marina and Campground in Tortilla Flat, Arizona. Tours on the Dolly began in 1983 by the original owners, Paul and Dolly Kennedy.
With towering walls of convoluted stone, Canyon Lake is the most dramatic of the four Salt River lakes. The process seemed to go by pretty fast because not long after and the Captain was giving boarding directions from down on the dock. He called tickets 1-20 to board first so that way the dock wasn’t too packed and people could social distance while finding their seat. Dolly Steamboat also offers private charters for weddings, special events, etc. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks.
Want to see the exact opposite of this relaxing adventure cruise in Arizona? One of the most treacherous hikes in America is right here in our own backyard. Children must wear a life jacket at all times while aboard the ship. The first thing I like to do once the cruise begins is beat the line to the drink and snack bar! I ordered us drinks and a bucket of freshly popped popcorn so we could kick back and relax. Recently I took my husband, Nathan, on a Dolly Steamboat Cruise.
It opened exactly 30 minutes prior to boarding time and we received our tickets- 23 and 24. During check in all you’ll need to do is stand in line to receive your boarding number. Once it is time to board the steamboat the Captain will call a group of numbers (i.e. 1-20) to board at each time. The process overall is very organized and spaced out for everyone’s safety. Take a “Mark Twain” voyage and admire the breathtaking scenery as you enjoy a presentation on the solar system with Dr. Sky. Also there are options for groups to put together special cruise times.
Canyon Lake is in a wilderness area with limited services. Visitors to the lake will find restaurants at the Canyon Lake Marina (by Dolly’s dock), and a bit further up the trail at Tortilla Flat. But the lake is mostly ours, as the other boats quickly dissolve into the grand scenery. Without a doubt, Arizona’s largest and most famous lakes are Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
As you cruise, the captain will point out various landmarks, explain the area’s geology, tell a few stories, and keep an eye out for wildlife. Things are generally casual and relaxed on a Dolly Steamboat cruise. It is also a good lake for fishing, whether out on the water or from one of several public docks. Along the way we see bald eagle chicks peering from their nest far above us. (The nest is perched atop a towering rock formation.) There are also a few white specks on the mountainside that seem to be big horn sheep. I’m with a small group of family and friends for the day.
We had friends from out of town and we thought they should see part of the Superstition Mountains and look at them from the lake.
He would stop the boat often to show wildlife and rock formations with a laser pointer for all to see. That evening we saw bighorn sheep, but he also pointed out some eagle nests where eagles can frequently be spotted flying above. While the public recreation sites offer a low-cost way to enjoy the lake, they have a limited capacity. On busy days the parking areas fill quickly and, once filled, the site is closed for the day. Check local radio stations for information on conditions before heading out with your boat. This romantic Steamboat Dinner Cruise takes place on the Dolly Steamboat, a 103 foot replica of the sternwheeler from America's riverboat days.
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