Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Well, the BEST place to do that is right here at Bartlett Lake! Located right in the heart of the Tonto National Forest, Bartlett Lake is the second largest lake in the Phoenix Metro Valley area, with boatable surface area of 2,815 acres - bigger than Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake, combined! To make things even better, rent a ski boat or a pontoon boat! Bartlett Lake Marina offers everything you need to enjoy a day boating, skiing, camping or just relaxing under the warm Arizona sun. With a full... Full story
Location: Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest Maricopa County, Arizona North and east of Bronco Trailhead, east of Forest Service Road 24; three miles southwest of Humboldt Mountain Lookout Start Date: July 16, 2015, reported at approximately 12:45 p.m. Size: Approximately 400 Acres Percent contained: 0% Cause: Under investigation Vegetation: Grass, brush, pinyon pine, and juniper Growth Potential: moderate Summary: Fire was reported at approximately 12:45 pm by a member of t... Full story
Some of the more remote sites on the Cave Creek Ranger District are now closed for the summer. The following sites will be closed until Oct. 1: Mesquite Campground, Horseshoe Campground, and Fisherman Point (also known as Catfish Point). The Tonto National Forest does not currently have the ability to maintain these sites in a safe and sanitary condition. Alternative sites for camping are Riverside Campground, Box Bar, Bartlett Flats, SB Cove and CCC campground. The trail to the river above... Full story
PHOENIX -- A coalition of Arizona-based agencies has an important message for everyone heading outdoors this summer: Be a responsible recreationist. It only takes one spark on dry grass, leaves, branches or needles to start a wildfire. Chainsaws, dragging trailer chains, carelessly tossed cigarettes, fireworks, abandoned campfires, unshielded OHV mufflers and discharging a firearm all can create sparks and cause wildfires. No matter how a fire starts, anyone found responsible may have to pay tho... Full story
www.raisingarizonakids.com Children and adults with physical or neurological disabilities can enjoy water sports in a safe environment during Barrow's Day on the Lake at Bartlett Lake Marina in the Tonto Forest. It's actually days on the lake. For the 19th year, Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center will host a series of unique events that offer families from around the country a chance to ride the waves with adapted water skiing, jet skiing, ka... Full story
A growing number of outdoor recreationists are getting involved in an effort to ensure continued access to public lands in Arizona by promoting outdoor ethics. The Respected Access is Open Access in Arizona initiative is being supported by a coalition of partners including the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and Tread Lightly!, a national non-profit organization that promotes responsible outdoor recreation through education and stewardship... Full story
One of our favorite things to do is take day drives in Arizona. Recently we decided to head east for a change, since every road we take off the highway going north seems to be closed to shooting. We wanted to do a little target practice, so we headed down Highway 60 toward Superior. At first we tried Mineral Mountain Road which goes south off 60 just a few miles past Florence Junction, but that road also had "No Shooting" signs. This time, for State Trust Land. According to my map, it changes to... Full story
Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering fee-free days on public lands in 2015, beginning Jan. 19 in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The 2015 fee-free days honored by national forests are the following: • Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr Day • Feb. 16 - President's Day • June 13 - National Get Outdoors Day • Sept. 26 - National Public Lands Day • Nov. 8-11- In honor of Veterans Day Encouraging use of public lands supports the goals of America's Great Outdoors,... Full story
Each year as part of its nationally-recognized and highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department asks outdoor recreationists and aircraft pilots to help protect important eagle breeding areas by honoring the closure of 23 areas across the state. Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year to protect the state's 55 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located n... Full story
As Arizona Game and Fish public information officer Nick Walter found out, the Boulder Creek area of Canyon Lake, because of its no-wake restrictions, is an excellent spot for beginning and expert kayak anglers. Undulating water that rippled across Canyon Lake in November, gently rocking the kayak, was felt from head to hips. Paddling a new Ocean Kayak Tetra 10 Angler for the first time, and during what was this angler's first time fishing this desert dandy, made for excitement that filled the... Full story
Permits to cut your own Christmas tree will be available starting Nov. 20 at Tonto National Forest offices. The Tonto National Forest will sell Christmas tree permits starting on Thursday, Nov. 20. Permits will be available at the Mesa and Payson Ranger Districts and the Tonto Supervisors Office, Monday –Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Pleasant Valley Ranger District will be open for permit sales on Thursdays and Fridays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. In addition, the Payson Ranger District will be open on... Full story
Editor's Note: We were so sorry to hear of the Sept. 11 fire above Bartlett Lake Marina but join the Church family in emphasizing that the lower facilities are all open and waiting for you. Also, on your way in, please take note of the new restaurant that will soon welcome guests to a beautiful dining experience. I've been visiting Bartlett Lake since before the road was paved all the way in. Back then, we'd go out at night many times during the summer because the night fishing at Bartlett was... Full story
Scottsdale, Ariz. (September 12, 2014) – Flooding from recent storms have caused the temporary closure of the Cave Creek Ranger District office. During the closure please contact the Mesa Ranger District or the Supervisor’s offices with any questions. The daily Tonto Pass can be purchased by area vendors. Visitor’s wishing to purchase the Annual Tonto Pass can obtain it at the remaining Tonto National Forest offices or online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/home/?cid=s... Full story
Beginning Oct. 1, Maricopa County's Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign. The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the county's desert parks during that same stay. "This is the sixth year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion, and it is by far, one of the Parks Department's most popular campaigns.... Full story
PHOENIX (September 18, 2014) – Tonto National Forest officials are seeking public comments on proposed changes to recreation fees. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), which allows the Forest Service to retain 95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain and enhance these sites. To see what fees have been collected and how the fees have been spent, go to the Annual Fee Program Accomplishment R... Full story
PAYSON, Ariz. -- Call them robot fish, mechanical fish, even Frankenfish. In the tiny Payson community of Beaver Valley, hatchery-raised rainbow trout hover in pools of the East Verde River, or perhaps enjoy the shade of a shoreline undercut. Then there's a different sort of rainbow trout in these waters – ones that mill around with a pair of protruding, lightweight tags. These fish have undergone surgery. Since April, Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists at the Tonto Creek Hatchery h... Full story
WELCOME TO BARTLETT LAKE MARINA! -- Located just 55 minutes from Tempe Town Lake on beautiful Bartlett Lake in the heart of the Tonto National Forest, Bartlett Lake Marina's family atmosphere and beautiful surroundings make it a wonderful location for your friends and family to enjoy an unforgettable Arizona day on the water. For more information or reservations, call (602) 316-3378 or (480) 221-0503. Address for GPS: 20808 E Bartlett Dam Rd, Tonto National Forest, Rio Verde, AZ... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at all department wildlife areas on April 18. The restrictions are part of the restrictions issued by the Arizona State Forestry Division on state-owned and state-managed lands outside incorporated municipalities due to the increased risk of wildfire in the state. Stage 1 restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed - including campfires and wood or charcoal-burning stoves and barbecues. Smoking is prohibited except... Full story
PHOENIX – To reduce the looming threat of summer wildfires following one of Arizona’s driest winters on record, officials have announced fire restrictions for many locations throughout Arizona. The restrictions take effect just as the busy Memorial Day weekend begins on Friday, May 23. Fire danger conditions, local closures and restrictions are subject to change. Many of the state’s most popular destinations will be affected by the fire restrictions that take effect this Friday. Stage II and e... Full story
For something different, head to Lynx Lake, where some anglers reportedly are having some decent action catching brown trout. Here's the tip: Try fishing a No. 18 or 20 with wooly bugger about 4 feet under a float with a 4-pound test leader. THE REEL DEAL Hello, anglers, First, a quick fish story. On Tuesday, April 8, angler Jack Head of Phoenix was taking his wife and sister-in-law boating, fishing, and for a quick picnic. What he saw in the Agua Fria arm floating on the surface was a...
Anglers who love to fish Roosevelt Lake located in central Arizona's Tonto National Forest have a future hope for the fishery -- monster bass. To help boost fishing opportunities at the 13,000-acre lake, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is partnering with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) through April to stock up to 500,000 fry of Florida-strain largemouth bass, which have been known to eventually attain sizes up to 20 pounds. The FWC will be donating the bass fry...
The geographic center of Arizona is about 55 miles ESE of Prescott, and the closest town hall to that location is that of Camp Verde. There is a bronze plaque to that effect in Rezzonico Park, placed there by the Arizona Professional Land Surveyors. The park in on Montezuma Castle Highway in Camp Verde. In fact, there is a ton of stuff to see and do in and around Camp Verde, including Montezuma's Well, Montezuma's Castle, and Tuzigoot National Monument. If you like the outdoors, you will love... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at all department wildlife areas on Friday, April 18. The restrictions are part of the restrictions issued by the Arizona State Forestry Division on state-owned and state-managed lands outside incorporated municipalities due to the increased risk of wildfire in the state. Stage 1 restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed -- including campfires and wood or charcoal-burning stoves and barbecues. Smoking is...
Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering a fee-free weekend, Sat., Feb. 15 through Mon., Feb. 17 in honor of President’s Day. The remaining 2014 fee-free days honored by national forests are — • June 14, National Get Outdoors Day • Sept. 27, National Public Lands Day • Nov. 8-11, Veterans Day Weekend "Our public lands are open to everyone, and we hope these free days offer an incentive to all people to visit any of the 193 million acres of land held in trust for their enj... Full story
Keep in mind that here in Arizona, there is plenty of year-round fishing. Bass and other sport fish may not be as active, but they are still catchable. In many cases; it's a matter of slowing down your presentation and going to smaller baits. Some pro anglers, on the other hand, have been known to not only slow down their presentations, but also upsize their offerings to make it worthwhile for big bass to dine. The Reel Deal It's winter trout and crappie time. First, The Trout There are rainbow... Full story
