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Three Mile Wash Three Mile Wash offers shoreline parking and boat access. Access is via the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, a scenic mountain road. Nearby are views of mountains with abundant wildlife. Because of the ability to park right on next to the water, this locations offers a great get away for families and individuals during the hot summer months. Whether you’re taking a day trip, or staying several nights, Three Mile Wash is perfect for any outing you are planning.
This site is 3 miles south of Roosevelt Dam on the south shoreline of Apache Lake. From Apache Junction: Drive north on State Hwy. 88 for 41 miles (the last 20 miles of State Hwy. 88 are unpaved) to Three Mile Wash Recreation Site. Turn left and continue to site. From Mesa: Take State Hwy. 87/Beeline Hwy. north for approximately 60 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Turn right onto State Hwy. 188 for 33 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 88. Turn right onto State Hwy. 88, and drive past historic Roosevelt Dam (unpaved) for 3 miles to Three Mile Wash Recreation Site. Turn right and continue to the site. From the Globe area: Take State Hwy. 188 west for 30 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Turn left onto State Hwy. 88 and continue past historic Roosevelt Dam (unpaved) for 3 miles to Three Mile Wash Recreation Site. Turn right into the site. Click Here For Map.
Stay limit 14 days, State Hwy. 88 is a narrow winding mountain road, with a maximum vehicle length limit of 40 feet. (Not recommended for trailers over 22 feet). Rules and regulations are posted at all fee station areas. Please read and observe. Please use trash receptacles when available, or pack it in pack it out.
Wonderful location and access to Salt river. Water is beautiful and clear. Perfect for kayaking and boating. Need to come down from Roosevelt lake through dirt road.
My best friend and I went to a mother's day trip with our paddle board. Perfect temperature not crowded, but relax.
This place was a cool place to take your kayak but you can't get there anymore 😭
Due to the fires and now the heavy rains the Apache Trail is closed at the top currently. Arriving from the top there was a road closure sign to the side of the road so you could still turn in but you can only go as far as just past the dam viewing area. The road is actually blocked just before the dirt road starts. A nice lady at the ranger station said parts of the dirt road have completely washed away and that it would "likely be 50 years before they can fix it". On another note we discovered that Roosevelt Lake is not very kayak+tent camp friendly. You can do both separately but we couldn't find a place except one that was a beach area to launch from AND camp next to. That was Cholla Bay... Very small area and lots of rocks. There were 3 groups of people already there so we had to keep looking.
Great place to launch all water sports. Beautiful canyon walls, calm water and fewer motor craft make this an ideal spot for SUP.
