Boating in Phoenix Lake Communities

As with a search for any home, Phoenix area waterfront property buyers have their criteria that best describes their dream home.  When describing Phoenix real estate waterfront homes, there is an additional parameter that is often important; a lake that allows boats. Instead of going to a park, a waterfront home owner may decide to go “crusing” around the lake.   Some communities allow boats and some do not.  Most lake communities only allow pontoon boats that are powered by electric motors.  To enjoy a true motor boat ride you’ll have to choose from one of the six water ski communities in the valley.  Even if the community does allow boating, make sure and verify that the body of water to which you’ll have access is large enough for that occasional boat ride. For an updated post on this subject, go to  residential lake communities that allow boating.

There are a variety of reasons why a waterfront property may not allow owners to have an electric pontoon boat or any kind of water craft.  One may be that even though the listing agent has designated the property as waterfront, a distant view of H2O on the golf course may qualify as waterfront in their mind but it just isn’t so.  There may also be a community sidewalk, walkway or common area that separates the property from the water, such as in Sun Lakes, Fulton Ranch, and Wellington Estates in Chandler.

Even when the waterfront lot is directly adjacent to the lake, the body of water may not be large enough or long enough to make boating worthwhile.  This is the case in Chandler’s Lagos Vistoso, where the bodies of water range from 300 – 800 ft. in length and typically 80 feet wide.  Crystal Gardens is part of the Avondale Wetland project which prohibits boating even though there are many waterfront homes. Other communities that do not allow boating in the community lake include Leisure World, Anderson Springs,

** Here’s a quick way to determine if the lake allows boating.

This list may  be best broken down by city since there are quite a few:

Chandler – Some of the more well known lake communities in Chandler that allow boats are  Ocotillo, Pecos Ranch, Oakwood Lakes, The Springs and Pinelake Estates.  One easy way to confirm this is go to Google maps and check out the satellite view and look for boats.

Ocotillo Waterfront Homes for Sale

Gilbert – Gilbert is unique in that it is home to 3 of the 6 water ski lake communities in the Phoenix valley;  Crystal Point, Santan Lakeside Estates and Playa del Rey.  A major reason why you would live in these subdivisions is for the opportunity to use a motor boat to water ski or wake board. The other Gilbert lake communities; The Islands, Val Vista Lakes, Wind Drift, Stonebridge Lakes are other lake communities that allow paddle boats and electric pontoon boats.

Scottsdale – McCormick Ranch, one of the valley’s largest master planned communities sits on over 3,000 acres. Scottsdale Ranch is another Scottsdale master planned community east of the 101 freeway, south of Shea Blvd.

Mesa –Dobson Ranch is one of the original master planned lake communities is named after Wilson Wesley Dobson who emigrated from Canada to Arizona and began his cattle ranching and farming in 1886, which is 25 years before Roosevelt Dam was completed.

Tempe – The Lakes in Tempe, built in the mid-1970’s is said to be Arizona’s first man made lake community and features a community clubhouse and pool.   Tempe Town Lakes offers more contemporary  housing options.  While home owners do not have private waterfront access, there are public  and private boating options.  Tempe Town Lake is one of the major visitor attractions for the valley.  Condomiums such as Bridgeview, Edgewater, and Northshore provide fantastic views of Tempe Town Lake.

Ahwatukee /Phoenix  – Lakewood is located in the Ahwatukee foothills part of Phoenix.  One of the benefits of the location of this lake community is the Kyrene school district and the access to the I-10 freeway.

Lakewood Homes for Sale.

Glendale   – Another well known lake subdivision located in the north valley is Arrowhead Ranch.

Peoria and Sun City – Located in the northwest valley, Ventana Lakes, an active adult community  allow boating.  Sun City features two lakes; Viewpoint Lake and Dawn Lake on which waterfront home owners can go boating.  Peoria features Desert Harbor located close to the 101 freeway in the west valley.

Avondale – While Avondale has two lake communities located close to each other, only one allows lakefront residents to use a boat.  Crystal Gardens strictly prohibits boating while Garden Lakes to the north allows boating.

Goodyear  – Estrella Mountain Ranch is unique in that there are very few waterfront properties in the family portion of Estrella Mountain and none of the residents have direct access to the lake.  However, all residents of Estrella Mountain Ranch in Goodyear can take advantage of the lake which provides boats for the residents to use.  Estrella Mountain Ranch also has a very nice community center and pool.

Arizona City – To the south in Pinal county, you’ll find Paradise Lake where residents can take advantage of a large 48 acre lake located in Arizona City.

San Tan Valley & Buckeye The remaining waterski lakes are located in San Tan Valley and Buckeye.  Buchli Lake is the valley’s original lake community in the east valley.  There are two communities in the west valley; Lakeside Ski Village and Spring Mountain Ski Ranch.   Don’t hesitate to call me regarding homes or lots that may be for sale that are not listed on the MLS.

For additional information click on receive waterfront listings. Or don’t hesitate to call me directly.

Here’s a tool to allow you to determine if a lake community allows boating.

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