Photogenic Places in Mesa
3 places ranked by scenic score
Mesa, AZ
Saguaro Lake
A reservoir on the Salt River formed by Stewart Mountain Dam, surrounded by towering red and orange canyon walls. The Butcher Jones Recreation Area provides beach access with saguaro-studded cliffs rising directly from the shoreline. Wild horses from the Salt River herd are frequently seen along the lake's shores and surrounding desert.
Mesa, AZ
Salt River Wild Horse Area
An area along the Lower Salt River near Bush Highway where herds of wild horses roam freely along the riverbanks. The Salt River wild horses are descendants of horses released or escaped over the past century and are protected by Arizona state law. The horses are frequently seen grazing, crossing the river, and interacting in family bands.
Mesa, AZ
Tonto National Monument
A national monument preserving two Salado cliff dwellings dating to the 13th and 14th centuries, set in natural caves above Roosevelt Lake. The Lower Cliff Dwelling is accessible via a self-guided half-mile trail with panoramic views of the surrounding Sonoran-transitional desert. The site showcases the intersection of ancient architecture and desert landscape.