Tonto National Forest
2324 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
desk: (602) 225-5200
fax: (602) 225-5295
Welcome
The Tonto National Forest, Arizona, embraces almost 3 million acres of rugged and spectacularly beautiful country, ranging from Saguaro cactus-studded desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. This variety in vegetation and range in altitude (from 1,300 to 7,900 feet) offers outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the year, whether it's lake beaches or cool pine forest.
As the fifth largest forest in the United States, the Tonto National Forest is one of the most-visited “urban” forests in the U.S. (approximately 5.8 million visitors annually). Its boundaries are Phoenix to the south, the Mogollon Rim to the north and the San Carlos and Fort Apache Indian reservations to the east. more
New Arizona laws affecting OHV use take effect Jan. 1, 2009.
Phoenix, Ariz. Please see new state laws affecting OHV use.
Fossil Creek will re-open New Year’s Day -two months ahead of schedule
Payson , AZ. ( December 24, 2008 ) – Fossil Creek temporary closure orders are being lifted on Jan. 1 by the Tonto and Coconino national forests, two months ahead of Arizona Public Service (APS) schedules. The closure orders were requested by APS in connection with the ongoing decommissioning of the power plant and facilities at Fossil Creek and went into effect on August 18, 2008.
Upper Salt River rafting permits available on Tonto National Forest
Phoenix, Ariz. (Nov. 24, 2008) – Rafting permit applications for the Upper Salt River Canyon Wilderness are now available from the Tonto National Forest. They can be obtained by calling the Globe Ranger District at (928) 402-6200
Tonto and Coconino national forests announce temporary Fossil Creek area closures
Payson, Ariz. (August 13, 2008) – Due to continuing de-construction efforts on the Childs - Irving Hydroelectric facilities, a temporary closure of Fossil Springs and Fossil Creek on the Tonto and Coconino national forests will be in effect from Monday, August 18, 2008 through Saturday, February 28, 2009 (unless terminated sooner).
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 2008 Planning Rule has been released. The FEIS identifies the Forest Service’s preferred alternative and is a procedural move towards the implementation of a new planning rule. A decision on the final rule has not been made—that decision will be made by the Department of Agriculture after the FEIS has been available for 30 days.( News Release | FEIS)
Most forest recreation passes can now be ordered on Tonto National Forest website
PHOENIX (January 8, 2008) – The Tonto National Forest announced today that forest recreation passes can now be bought via the forest internet site. This includes the half-price Tonto day passes for holders of the national Senior and Access passes. The national Interagency pass can be purchased only in conjunction with the Tonto upgrade.