Roosevelt Lake — cliff jumping spot in Tonto Basin, Arizona
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Roosevelt Lake

Tonto Basin, Arizona · map view — photos in the app

About this spot

From Phoenix, take HWY 60 eastward through Miami. Just past the Walmart, turn left onto HWY 188 and continue for approximately 30 minutes until you reach a large suspension bridge. Before the bridge, turn left into a parking area featuring an observation deck, situated between the bridge and the dam. Park and walk the trail toward the bridge, then descend the path beneath the observation deck to access the jumping area. You can leap from most of the surrounding walls and rocky surfaces. A prominent wall extends roughly 40 feet in length with a jump height of 40 feet, offering numerous launch points. Additional drops of 65 feet and higher are available over the wall for experienced jumpers. Water depth varies as releases occur regularly, so verify conditions before jumping. Historically, this location was a road constructed in 1911 during dam building. As the reservoir filled to over 19,000 acres, it submerged numerous structures and buildings, some visible and others concealed underwater. A small cemetery containing 5 graves of Chinese workers from the dam construction era is located here, along with a larger graveyard on the northeast hill near the bridge, which inspired the name Atlantis. The suspension bridge itself reaches approximately 160 feet and is not suitable for jumping. A rope swing exists on one of the bridge supports, and the bridge supports themselves can be accessed by climbing a steep slope, allowing for jumps from that height, though this activity is illegal. Note: Legal status of this location remains unclear. Avoid jumping if forest rangers or water utility trucks are present. Respect the area and other visitors, remove all garbage, and treat tourists courteously. For assistance locating the spot or learning additional local jump sites, contact 928-242-5509.

Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.