The
Coronado National Forest covers 1,780,000 acres of southeastern
Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3000
feet to 10,720 feet in twelve widely scattered mountain ranges
or "sky islands" that rise dramatically from the desert
floor, supporting plant communities as biologically diverse as
those encountered on a trip from Mexico to Canada.
Views are spectacular from these mountains, and visitors may experience
all four seasons during a single day's journey, spending the morning
wandering among giant saguaros and colorful wildflowers, having
a picnic lunch under the brilliant golden leaves of a cottonwood
tree, and playing in the snow later in the afternoon.
![Forest Ranger Otto P. Schoenberg and two pack mules. Photo taken at the head of Price Canyon. 1922.](heritage/heritage_images/heritage_header.jpg)
More on
the Heritage of the Coronado National Forest, and Southern
Arizona.
The
Coronado National Forest is made up of five administrative units
called Ranger Districts. Each District includes a number of mountain
ranges, each with its own unique character.
Douglas Ranger District
The Chiricahua Mountains are the largest mountain
range in this district and are home to the greatest concentration
of recreation opportunities. Here you will find the 87,700 acre
Chiricahuaa Wilderness with its centerpiece, 9,797 foot Chiricahua
Peak. Cave Creek Canyon is known around the world for its dramatic
rock formation and rich community of birds. Rucker Canyon provides
excellent hiking, and camping.
The Dragoon and Peloncillo mountains are smaller and more remote.
The Dragoons are home to Cochise Stronghold, a place as rugged
and haunting as it sounds. A campgound, forest trails, and historic
sites within this range provide a focus for recreation. In the
Peloncillos, prinitive trails and rugged backroads reflect the
isolated character of the area..
Nogales Ranger District
Recreation opportunities in the Nogales District are dispersed
among the Santa Rita Mountains, the Pajaritos, the Tumacacoris,
and the grassy hill country that seperates them. The Santa Ritas
are topped by 9,453 foot Mt. Wrightson, which is surronded by the
25,260 acre Wilderness of the same name. Madera Canyon in the Santa
Ritas is famous among birdwatchers the world over. A number of
Forest roads, including the Madera Canyon Road, provide access
to campgrounds, picnic areas and dozens of forest trails.
Pena Blanca Lake, at the edge of the Atascosas, offers developed
campgrounds, picnic areas and fishing for stocked and resident
species. The Pajaritos are home to senic Sycamore Canyon, a 7,420
acre Wilderness and a history of mining boomtowns and hardy pioneers.
Safford Ranger District
Home of the Coronado’s most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños,
and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Graham,
the Safford District is a land of superlatives. A scenic road named the Swift
Trail leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds,
Forest trails and fishing at Riggs Lake.
The Safford District is also home to the Galiuro Mountains and the Santa Teresa
Range. The 76,317 acre Galiuro Wilderness is steeped in history and contains
an extensive trail network. The Santa Teresas are rugged and remote, with
a variety of primitive trails leading into a 26,780 acre Wilderness.
Santa Catalina Ranger District
Located adjacent to metropolitan Tucson, the Santa Catalinas are the most heavily
visited mountain range in the Coronado National Forest. The Catalina Highway
(also known as the Hitchcock Highway) winds nearly to the top of 9,157 foot
Mt. Lemmon, providing paved access to trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas
and even a downhill ski area. The Santa Catalinas are home to the 56,933 acre
Pusch Ridge Wilderness and popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Numerous
other areas of recreation interest are accessible from Forest roads.
The nearby Rincon Mountains receive fewer visitors but are home to such notable
features as the Rincon Mountain Wilderness which is adjacent to Saguaro National
Monument.
Sierra Vista Ranger District
The Sierra Vista District incorporates several mountain ranges which are separated
by rolling hill country and some of the Southwest’s most extensive grasslands.
Within its boundaries lie the Huachuca, Patagonia and Whetstone mountains and
the Canelo Hills. These areas were once the focus of extensive mining activity,
and their canyons and ridges are rich in the history of those colorful days.
An extensive network of trails provides access to the Huachuca Mountains and
to the 20,190 acre Miller Peak Wilderness. In Ramsey Canyon, where miners
once sluiced, blasted and tunneled for gold and silver, birdwatchers have
found a gentler bonanza. A number of scenic drives cross the district’s
broad grasslands, and anglers find their reward in Parker Canyon Lake where
stocked trout, as well as other species, challenge fishermen.
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