Photos and Article 

by Annemarie Eveland 

Our day trip destination was spectacular Canyon Lake which was nestled deep in the heart of the well-known legendary Superstition Mountains. We passed through the Tonto National Forest with its vast alure of desert panoramas to the Arizona Apache Trail, known as being Arizona’s first historic highway.

We were going to cruise on a dry lake. Well, it was dry long ago with its looming and towering desert formations, filling the canyon with their impressive yet formidable presence. 

I learned that when President Theodore Roosevelt was visiting the area, he declared that the Apache Trail and surrounding area (including Canyon Lake) combined the grandeur of the Alps, and the glory of the Rockies.

These canyons had no water when the thousands of Mormon settlers came originally. Yet they homesteaded in those precarious desert mountain canyons and made it their own homeland.Then long after they left, dams were built in areas above, and the whole area of the canyons were flooded with water and appropriately named “Canyon Lake.” 

So, today when we came to this area, long after these historic canyon activities, we came to board the Dolly Steamboat for our day cruise amongst the canyon walls and spires from the comfort of floating over water. As we departed the marina, listening to the narrations from our Captain, we began to appreciate the history of the area, the unusual formations of rock cliffs and jutting rugged mountain peaks.  

These secluded inner waterways, geological wonders and spectacular 100-foot cliffs cannot be seen except from navigating water vessels on the waters of Canyon Lake. 

From our steamboat “Dolly,” you might comfortably view desert Bighorn sheep, bald eagles, mule deer, Whitetail Deer, bobcat, red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, osprey, turkey vultures, great blue heron, ravens, mallard ducks. coots and grebe. I did not see any fish, but I was told there were bass, trout, crappie, catfish, walleye and carp.

  The wildlife here added to the delights of photographing scenery as the steamboat gently cruised along the shoreline to give us a better glance at nature in action. Many of the unusual formations along the shorelines were created by violent volcanic eruptions of the past. In the springtime, the wondrous magical fields of magnificently bright, yellow and orange flowers blanketed the ground everywhere. It leaves the viewer breathless from the surprising, brilliant beauty gracing the hillsides and clinging tenaciously to rock crevices. 

This Canyon Lake is considered by many as Arizona’s “junior Grand Canyon. “

On our voyage around the lake on the Dolly Steamboat, Captain Ron Spence narrated as we passed points of interest. “Dolly” has been cruising people on the lake since 1925 from this premier Arizona destination. Dolly’s name was derived from original owners, Dolly and Paul Kennedy, who began tours in 1983. The Dolly Steamboat is consistently rated as one of the “best things to do in Arizona” by the Official Visitors Guide of Greater Phoenix and considered a premier Arizona attraction. 

I also met Cindi DeLoseur who is a partner of this adventure as an owner and operater of “Dolly.” I learned that their goal is to always offer guests an unforgettable experience of geological and natural wonders while teaching the legends and lore of the Superstition Mountains from Captain Ron Spence.

  The Dolly Steamboat was built in 1983 and can carry 141 passengers. It weighs 50 tons and is run on two twin HP John Deere Diesel Engines, for those of you who are mechanically curious. 

    I also learned that they offer Astronomy Cruises to view the constellations of the night skies. Dolly Steamboat is also available for weddings and receptions, company parties and they love to celebrate holidays and birthdays! The Dolly crew offers “Meal Cruises.” They recommend making reservations ahead to ensure guaranteed seating.

 Although personal food and drinks are not allowed on the cruise, they do have a concession stand for juice, soda, alcohol, and snacks to buy. Dress code is, of course, comfortably casual.

They operate “rain or shine” except for the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Canyon Lake is located fourteen miles northeast of Apache Junction along the historic Apache Trail (Highway 88). The Dolly Steamboat is docked at the marina in that area. 



For more information on Dolly Steamboat adventures, visit website www.dollysteamboat.com or call them

at 480-827-9144. You’ll want to bring your binoculars and camera too! Have a fun trip with good memories!