bartlett bash

3RD wEEKEND IN MAY & SEPT

LGBTQ+ camping event (llc)

NEXT BASH EVENT:

september 20TH, 21st & 22nd 2024

SYCAMORE CREEK BASH!

SYCAMORE BASH!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

PEOPLE PROFILES

ABOUT BASH

DIRECTIONS

FACEBOOK

WATER LEVEL

HISTORY & F.A.Q.

PHOTOS CONSENT

REQUIRED LAKE PASSES

CONTACT US

THEME CAMPS

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Bartlett Bash!

Come join in the fun! May & September, the 3rd weekend. Video created by Wild Wolf Adventures.

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO BARS

Bartlett Bash also knows as Bartlett Lake Bash is an alternate to the gay bar scene, at Bartlett Lake you can meet people who are camping, boating, fishing and hiking. Bartlett Bash campers sincerely care about the environment and clean up their camp sites when leaving.
We are known as a group which is a quiet & peaceful group by the Tonto National Forest Rangers.

The event is "whatever" you make it, so let's make it fun!

About Bartlett Bash!

It's really CAMPING so please bring everything you would if you were camping alone, food, sunscreen. If you forget anything you can always go to the Maria Store at the lake. Also, there are bathrooms at the lake.
Everyone is welcome LGBTQ+ and/or straight people, this is an open event and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.
The event was originally created by Bill Laybourne the owner of Apollo's nightclub (now closed). Bill passed away Sept 8th, 2018. Troy Julius worked together with Bill to keep the event going and started a website on May 17th, 2005 to keep the legacy of Bartlett Bash going for years to come. Bill passed away Sept 8th, 2018 . The website allowed campers to share rides and food and was a great site for sharing information with other campers however the website was replaced with a private Bartlett Bash Facebook group created on January 7, 2009.
Make sure you purchase a daily camping pass; it is required to camp.
No one really knows all the people attending, it's always new people and that's part of the fun.
This event is an alternative to drinking at the bars and a great way to socialize and meet new people or camp with good friends.
People bring they Boats, Jet-ski's, Floating Tubs, Canoes, kayaks.
Pets are welcome too, please don't bring a dog that barks 24/7 you will have some very unhappy campers!
Please follow our group guidelines. CLICK HERE
Bartlett Bash became a registered name and LLC in 2023 to protect the name and for future generations of LGBTQ+ campers to enjoy.

why are there duplicate groups online?

BARTLETT BASH GUIDELINES

WHAT'S EXPECTED

Everyone is on their own and should bring everything they need for camping, (don't bring glass, it is banned). Make sure you purchase a Tonto National Forest day pass.

Bring camping gear.
You're on your own.
Buy a Lake Pass.
Check if fires are allowed.
Don't come without supplies..
Please don't run RV generators all day long.

DON'T GET ARRESTED

Fireworks are NEVER allowed at the lake. You'll be arrested and ruin the event for everyone else, don't do it!

They are illegal
You will be fined $1000.
You may receive jail time.
Dogs will bark and run away.
You'll not be invited back by others.

DON'T LEAVE TRASH

Please take your trash home or use the dumpsters at the lake there are several provided for you near the restroom.

If won't fit in the dumpster, take it home!
Pick up trash blown by the wind, someone may be picking up your trash too.
Survey your area and clean it!
If you have room, help remove large items.
Report anyone who is trashing the lake!
Stay on Sunday and create a clean up crew. Contact Ken McKenzie on Facebook for more info.

ASK PERMISSION

You should never take pictures unless you ask permission. Always get consent before you take a photo of someone.

It's okay if you ask first.
Some people don't want photos taken.
Group photos are okay.
Photos from a far distance are okay.
Share you photos on the Facebook Group page click here.

contact us

HEAD TO "BARTLETT FLATS" @ THE LAKE

We camp at THE FLATS camping area located at Bartlett Lake.
Make sure you PURCHASE A LAKE CAMPING PASS.

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Click above for directions from your house to Bartlett Lake Bash!

We have a good score card!

Our group is known to have very few issues if any at all.
Please help pick up other people's trash who have forgotten to take their trash when leaving the lake.

LET'S KEEP IT UP

Bartlett Bash
Reputation

THANK YOU
BILL LAYBOURNE!

"When I started the "outing", I never dreamed it would still continue to this day with great success and enjoyment. We had our first Bash at Rattlesnake Cove before they restricted it to "day use only" with no boats. I had just bought my boat and wanted to share the fun with likeminded people who had or didn't have boats and enjoyed camping out.

We tried to incorporate fund raising for Gay Pride, but that proved to be a little difficult at a national forest. Bartlett Bash also spawned a small gay organization called the Arizona Yacht Club.

After selling the bar, I had a couple of heart attacks, lost my partner of 32 years to Lymphoma and took on a job that makes it hard for me to get those dates off, but rest assured, I will show up again with my camper to enjoy the people, the history and great memories that Bartlett Bash has to offer.

Thanks, Troy for keeping the "Bash" going and enjoy all it has to offer". -Bill Laybourne (May 19th 2015)

Thanks, Troy for keeping the "Bash" going and enjoy all it has to offer".
-Bill Laybourne (May 19th, 2015)

tHEME CAMPS

Theme camps are great for anyone who wants to share or do something for other people camping like maybe you have popcorn and a movie you want to project your on your RV or maybe you have a karaoke machine and you like to sing. Another example is if you teach how to spin/POI. Anyway theme camps can be whatever you want to do. If you have a something, you want to share with other camps just post a message on the Facebook Group page. Let people know where and how they can find you, like for example
"I'm be in the big RV with the pirate flags!" , CLICK HERE.