Tonto Basin, AZ Real Estate
Find Your Dream Lakefront Retreat in Tonto Basin
Work with Dennis Riccio – Your local Rim Country REALTOR® and West USA Realty agent
Why People Love Living in Tonto Basin, AZ
Tonto Basin is a hidden gem in southern Gila County, about 30 miles south of Payson. It’s a quiet community with scenic attractions offering privacy and endless outdoor beauty.
- Peaceful rural living like Tonto Village, AZ, with stunning lake and mountain views.
- Close to Roosevelt Lake for boating, fishing, and weekend getaways.
- Surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, with access to hiking and off-road trails.
- Perfect for second-home buyers, retirees, and nature lovers.
With years of experience in the Rim Country real estate market, Dennis Riccio helps clients uncover Tonto Basin’s best properties, from cozy cabins to lake-view lots, and guides them every step of the way.
Questions about a listing, neighborhood, or membership options?
Building and Land Opportunities in Tonto Basin
Tonto Basin real estate offers an exceptional blend of affordability, freedom, and outdoor living.
- Cabins & Single-Family Homes – From cozy cabins to newer mountain-modern builds, many properties sit on large lots ideal for boats, RVs, or outdoor living.
- Manufactured Homes & Acreage – Flexible zoning allows mobile or manufactured homes on spacious parcels with room for horses, gardens, or RVs, perfect for a relaxed rural lifestyle.
- Vacant Land & Lake-View Lots – Enough land options ranging from affordable interior parcels with mountain views to premium lake-view lots overlooking Roosevelt Lake.
- Investment Potential – With growing interest in the area and limited lake-access properties, homes for sale in Tonto Basin, AZ, offer opportunities for long-term property value and off-market deals.
Whether you’re looking to build your dream cabin, buy a vacation home, or buy land in Tonto Basin, Dennis Riccio can guide you through zoning, utilities, and the best available listings in the area.
Best Neighborhoods in Tonto Basin - You Can’t Miss
Sierra Ancha Wilderness
Rugged cliffs, forest trails, and ancient cliff dwellings.
Tonto National Monument
Easy hikes to Salado ruins with stunning lake views.
Roosevelt Lake
Boating, fishing, kayaking, and endless waterfront fun.
Apache Trail (State Route 88)
One of Arizona’s most scenic drives.
Off-Road & ATV Trails
Forest roads leading to hidden springs and overlooks.
Rockin’ River & Tonto Creek Estates
Great for camping and weekend getaways.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
Spot bald eagles, ospreys, and deer in their natural habitat.
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Outdoor Recreation & Adventurous Spots
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Salt River Recreation Area
Four Peaks Wilderness
Apache Lake Resort
Devils Chasm Trail
Investment and Vacation Home Potential
Living in Tonto Basin offers both relaxation and real estate for sale. With steady lake tourism and scenic surroundings, it’s ideal for first-time home buyers and investors alike.
- Year-round visitors to Roosevelt and Apache Lakes create strong short-term rental demand.
- Lake-view homes and properties with RV or boat storage attract weekend travelers.
- Popular among Phoenix-area residents seeking quick getaways.
- Cabin-style and off-grid houses for sale in Tonto Basin appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.
- Great balance between personal use and reliable seasonal income potential.
Dennis Riccio’s Insights - Buying a House in Tonto Basin
Buying a property in Tonto Basin comes with unique opportunities. Dennis Riccio, the licensed real estate agent, is here to provide the inside details.
- With many homes for sale in Tonto Basin, AZ, priced in the low $200Ks, Tonto Basin offers more land, freedom, and affordability than nearby mountain towns like Payson or Pine.
- Buyers love that most properties here have no HOA restrictions, allowing space for horses, boats, or outdoor gear.
- Most Tonto Basin homes for sale use wells, septic systems, and propane, and Dennis makes sure his clients understand these features before purchase.
- Thanks to Roosevelt Lake’s year-round recreation, the market stays active among vacation-home buyers and retirees.
“I help my clients review property details, evaluate locations, and make smart, confident real estate investments in Tonto Basin.” – Dennis Riccio.
Lifestyle and Community in Tonto Basin
Community Spirit
Friendly neighbors, potlucks, and local fundraisers bring residents together, keeping the small-town feel alive year-round.
Local Living
Many locals run small businesses, guide services, or lodging, creating a warm, self-sufficient atmosphere for both residents and visitors.
Schools & Services
The Tonto Basin School District (#33), volunteer Fire Department, Sheriff’s substation, and local churches support families and ensure safety.
Everyday Essentials
The Tonto Basin Market (IGA) covers daily needs, while nearby Payson offers supermarkets, clinics, and Rim Country Regional Hospital.
Why Choose Dennis Riccio As Your Real Estate Consultant?
LOCAL-BASED
Dennis Riccio is a proud Arizona native. He offers unique insight into Rim Country. From cozy cabins to golf course estates, he helps clients discover what makes each community truly unique.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
As a licensed REALTOR® with West USA Realty in Payson, Dennis represents buyers and sellers throughout Rim Country. He is also the President of the Central Arizona Association of REALTORS®.
Legal Knowledge
Holding both a J.D. and an MBA, Dennis brings valuable legal and business expertise to every transaction. He helps clients understand each contract and disclosure clearly, with full confidence in every step.
Local Network
Dennis collaborates with a trusted circle of local professionals, including inspectors, lenders, builders, and contractors. He connects his clients with reliable experts who help make the process smooth and stress-free.
Personalized Support
Whether purchasing your first house, relocating, or investing in land, Dennis offers honest guidance and hands-on assistance to satisfy your goals from start to finish.
AFFILIATION & TRUST PARTNERS
Start Your Tonto Basin Real Estate Investment Journey with Dennis Riccio
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned mountain-home shopper, I’m here to be your guide in Tonto Basin and the entire Rim Country. With decades of local experience in Payson and the Rim, I’ll help you find the perfect acreage or property for sale in Tonto Basin.
Feel free to book a private tour of available homes, get new real estate listings in Tonto Basin emailed directly to you, or request a free valuation of your current home. Let me put my local knowledge to work for you. Just give me a call anytime!
TESTIMONIALS
POPULAR TOWNS IN AZ TO CALL HOME
- Alpine Heights
- Alpine Ridge
- Alpine Village
- Alva Drive Area
- Bear Flat
- Beaver Valley
- Bentley Subdivision
- Blue Ridge Area
- Bonita Creek
- Bonita Pines Condos
- Boulder Creek
- Brook Chris Crk
- Brookview Terrace 1
- Brookview Terrace 2
- Blue Ridge Est
- Bonita Mobile Court
- Buena Vista Terrace
- Canyon Shadows
- Bison Cove
- Canyon River Ranch
- Berry Hill
FAQ’S
Yes, Tonto Basin is considered part of Gila County’s Payson/Rim Country market area.
Property agents near Tonto Basin often group it with Payson and the southern Rim communities (Star Valley, Pine, Strawberry).
Listings here appear alongside Payson-area homes on most platforms, but expect quieter activity and lower Tonto Basin home prices than central Payson.
- Everything from older cabins and single-family homes to manufactured/mobile homes and vacant lots.
You’ll find some river-rock or log-built homes, many ranch-style houses on acreage, plus newer modular and site-built homes. - Several neighborhoods near Tonto Basin have double-wide homes on permanent foundations, and all official subdivisions allow at least mobile homes or RVs.
- Want to buy land in Tonto Basin? You can purchase anything from small lots to multi-acre parcels, often with utilities.
Yes, many locals rent their properties to vacationers. However, Gila County requires any short-term rental (vacation home) to have an annual STR permit. Owners must also comply with IRS and HOA regulations, if any.
In practice, the Tonto Basin area sees numerous Airbnb/VRBO listings, especially nearer the lake.
- Winters are generally mild -daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F, with occasional chilly nights.
- Summer days regularly reach the 90s–100s°F.
- Monsoon season (July–Sept) brings afternoon thunderstorms, giving picturesque skies and a green flush to the forest.
- Fall and spring are short and very pleasant. Snow is rare at this elevation, unlike higher Rim areas.
- Boating and fishing on Roosevelt and Apache Lakes (bass, trout, bass fishing tournaments).
Hiking/ATV riding in the surrounding national forest (Sierra Ancha trails, Tonto Monument, Four Peaks views). - Camping, hunting (quail, deer, turkey), and bird watching (roadrunners, javelina, eagles).
- Water skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are big on the summer weekends.
- Many locals also enjoy off-roading on forest trails or scenic drives like the Apache Trail.