Most Frequently Requested Links

Fire Restrictions in effect on the Coconino National Forest

Our offices, hours, addresses & phones. There is only one office open on weekends for "live" help.

Developed campgrounds, camping-on-your-own, trail descriptions and trail maps

Current Conditions: urgent messages about prescribed fires, roads closed and special events on the Forest

OHV USE: Rules and Regulations for use of "off-highway vehicles" on National Forests in Arizona

Bear Aware: Black bears that reside in the Southwest primarily live in the pine forests and chaparral (brush) zones, and occasionally wander into lower elevations.

Mountain Lion Info: Tips for dealing with mountain lions, mountain lion biology, and attacks in North America from Arizona Game and Fish.

Water Quality Hotline: Water is tested daily at Slide Rock State Park. Call before your trip! (602) 542-0202

Announcing... The Red Rock District is moving to their new permanent facility. Join us for an Open House on Wednesday, April 16th at 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Visit RedRockCountry.Org for more information. Personal-use Fuelwood Permits will go on sale on April 18th, first day for cutting is Saturday, April 19th. See Passes and Permits - Firewood for more information. Where there was snow, now there is mud. Most non-paved roads are still closed in higher country. (See Current Conditions for more information.) Coconino National Forest's Recreational Fee Program Summary for 2007 is now available in ".pdf" format. Wet Weather Travel Restrictions - as we approach the mud and snow season, restrictions may be initiated [More] Our Offices Change: Mormon Lake District Office on Lake Mary Road is now closed. Peaks/Mormon Lake District Office on N. Hwy 89 and the Supervisor's Office on S. Thompson St. are now open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Also, the Happy Jack Information Center is now closed. Customer Service is now being handled at the Blue Ridge Office of the Mogollon Rim District. 2007 Report to the Stakeholders is now available online.         The Coconino National Forest is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous Red Rocks of Sedona to Ponderosa Pine Forests, to alpine tundra. Explore mountains and canyons, fish forest lakes and wade in lazy creeks and streams.

Click on any of these images for a larger view. Navigate to next or previous photo by clicking in the image on the right side for next; on the left side for previous.

Special Interest

Recreation Facility Analysis

RFA is an analysis process, used nationally, to assist Forests in creating a sustainable program that aligns recreation sites with visitors' desires, expectations, and use. [More]

The Mogollon Rim District Motor Vehicle Closure/Off-Road Restrictions

Damage is occurring to resources in this area of the forest from unrestricted cross-country vehicle use. This area has fairly deep soils, generally good precipitation, and is one of the most productive for vegetation and wildlife on our forest.  Our goal is to greatly reduce resource damage and to protect the values that draw people to recreate on this part of the forest. These restrictions will help us achieve those goals. [MORE]

Herbicide Weed Treatments

Are you sensitive to herbicides and pesticides?

For information about herbicide treatments please try the Forest Service’s TOLL FREE LINE: 1-866-449-7809, or ADOT’s Toll Free Line: 1-800-546-6591 for highway right-of-way treatments.

For more information see "Forest Resources", then "Botany".

Restoration of Native Fish in Fossil Creek

In the fall of 2004, nearly 100 people from around the state worked together to restore Fossil Creek to a native fishery. 

This work involved removing non-native fish that had invaded the stream so the few remaining native species would have a chance to survive. 

Native fish in Fossil Creek include headwater chub, roundtail chub, speckled dace, Sonora sucker, and Desert sucker.

In order to allow fish populations to recover after restoration of the creek, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has issued a new Commission Order that closes the entire Fossil Creek to fishing until December 31, 2008. [Path: "Forest Resources", then "Wildlife & Fisheries" then "Fossil Creek Restoration"]

Cadastral Survey Work

The Forest Service has been coordinating cadastral survey work in the area immediately adjacent to Mountainaire this spring.  The Coconino National Forest has requested boundary survey be done in this specific location because future management activities are being planned for the area.  It is our policy that National Forest System properties boundaries are surveyed and marked in their true location prior to undertaking land management activities.  Accurate landlines are important for both the protection of private property rights, and sound management of the public’s land...

Travel Management Rule

Why Change Motorized Use on Arizona's National Forests? (499kb .pdf file)

Last year, the Coconino National Forest began working collaboratively with the public in the initial stages of travel analysis. Public meetings were held at various locations across Northern Arizona during October and November to collect ideas about motorized travel management.

Maps and other information presented at the meetings, as well as public comments received, are available for viewing on this website.

The Forest has released a Proposed Action to start the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis process. We appreciate your participation thus far and look forward to hearing your feedback as this project continues.

Verde River Guide Now Available

In 1984 the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act established the portion of the Verde River from Beasley Flat downstream to the confluence with Red Creek, as Arizona's only Wild and Scenic River. While it may appear calm at many of the river access points, the large number of wrecked canoes that have been removed from the Verde River testify to the fact that is has its share of hazards. Please plan ahead, be prepared, and practice Leave No Trace ethics to leave the Verde just as you find it for those who come after.
View the Verde River Guide (5.0MB .pdf file)

Wilderness... What, No Mountain Bikes???

Wilderness is an area of undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and provides outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation. [Click image for larger view]

Visit the "Ranger's Corner" for January, "Mountain Biking Experience - World Class!" - by Heather Provencio, Red Rock District Ranger

The Elden Pueblo Archaeological Project

The Elden Pueblo Project is a cooperative endeavor between the Coconino National Forest, the Arizona Natural History Association, and the Arizona Archaeological Society to provide educational opportunities in archaeology.  Elden Pueblo is a 60-80 room pueblo of the prehistoric Sinagua culture and a Hopi ancestral site.  The site of Elden Pueblo is open to the public and is located one mile north of the Flagstaff Mall on U.S. Highway 89. Elden Pueblo Programs and 2009 Archaeological Programs provide hands-on mapping, excavation, laboratory, and analytical experiences for participants under professional supervision.  Through these personal experiences, participants are made aware of archaeological concepts, values, laws and practices.  Join us in our quest to learn about past and present pueblo cultures by investigating the clues people left behind.

Quick Links for Fire Information

BRINS FIRE

• Original Brins Fire Page
• Brins-BAER Team (Burned Area Emergency Response)
• Oak Creek Canyon Task Force a private residential organization in Oak Creek is available on their website. Photos of the Brins Fire and notice of public meetings are also available on this site.

Current Wildland Fire Information
Most Recent Situation Report
Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC)
USDA Fire & Aviation Management
National Fire News

Grand Canyon Fire Management

	May 8, 2009
There are no fire restrictions on the Coconino Forest at this time. Click for details. Preparedness Level II For our Contractors: the Industrial Plan is “A”

If the date at the top of the above box is NOT today's date, the information may not be current.

Prescribed Fire Link:

Forest News

May 4, 2009

Aspen Firewood Available at Lockett Meadow this Saturday Only

Coconino National Forest will be offering aspen fuelwood at Lockett Meadow one day only, this Saturday, May 9th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wood will be available to anyone with a valid 2009 Fuelwood Permit from the Coconino National Forest; Charge and Free-Use Permit holders are welcome...

May 1, 2009

Highlands Fire Is the Twenty-Fourth Human-Caused Fire This Year

The Highlands Fire, located just a quarter mile south of the Forest Highlands community, is the twenty-fourth human caused fire on the Coconino National Forest this year – already significantly more than recent years past.  Forest Managers are urging visitors to be more careful with fire...

April 30, 2009

Bear Fire Final Update

The Bear Fire has been quiet these past several days. It remains at 350 acres and 60% containment with little activity, smoldering at most...

April 29, 2009

Community Vision Becomes a Reality in Oak Creek Canyon

A vision to “Keep Oak Creek Canyon Beautiful and Protect Oak Creek Water Quality” has brought both citizens and public agencies together with a common goal to construct a public rest-room at the Oak Creek Visitor Center in Indian Gardens...

April 29, 2009

Coconino National Forest to Hold Readiness Exercise

Firefighters and personnel from Coconino National Forest will participate in an incident response exercise on May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The exercise will focus on readiness and response to an aircraft accident and also a wildland fire associated with the aircraft accident...

April 28, 2009

Campgrounds opening On The Coconio Forest

Camping season is under way and starting this week, Coconino National Forest recreation managers will begin opening campgrounds that have been closed for the winter season...

April 27, 2009

Forest Road 518 Temporarily Closed to Through-Traffic

Forest Road 518, or “A1 Mountain Road”, will be temporarily closed to through-traffic starting Tuesday, April 28. El Paso Natural Gas will be working on their pipeline that crosses FR518, warranting a closure of a section of the road and preventing through-traffic. Crews expect the closure to last approximately 3 days...

April 21, 2009

Walker Basin Range Allotment Analysis

The Red Rock and Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts of the Coconino National Forest are initiating an environmental analysis for the Walker Basin Range Allotment...

April 20, 2009

Spring Wilding Season Begins Friday

Wilding permits, which authorize collecting live plants and trees from National Forest lands for personal use, will be available starting Friday, April 24 on the Peaks District...

April 15, 2009

Public Meeting on Proposed Timberline Trail Project

An Information/Public Comment Meeting on the proposed Timberline Trail Project will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Cromer Elementary School on Koch Field Road in Doney Park. Coconino County Parks & Recreation will host the meeting with help from Coconino National Forest...

Current press releases and other Forest news is archived in the Newsroom.