Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 146
As of last month, people who ride an off-highway vehicle (OHV) in the Bulldog Canyon OHV area on the Mesa Ranger District must obtain a permit online through recreation.gov. The district will discontinue paper permits. According to Matt Lane, Mesa District Ranger, the permit process change is the result of growth. "An increase in public use of the Bulldog Canyon OHV area, along with the rising popularity of OHVs created a demand for permits that exceeds our capability to provide a quality... Full story
The Tonto National Forest will begin the orderly closure of the following developed recreation sites as early as Monday, March 23, to protect public health and safety and align with state and local measures already in place to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. The developed recreation site closures will remain in effect until further notice. The Forest Service thanks all visitors and partners for their cooperation. Please report any instances of vandalism to facilities to the local ranger district... Full story
Arizona: Draft Forest Plan for the Tonto National Forest Addresses both Recreational Shooting and Hunting The US Forest Service has released a plan for the Tonto National Forest that will guide its management for the next 10 to 15 years. The nearly three million-acre national forest is located north of Phoenix and is the 5th largest national forest in the US. Since its establishment in 1905, the Tonto has become of the most visited “urban” forests with over 5 million visitors annually. The pub... Full story
The Forest Service continues the fence project in the Lower Salt River area to comply with state agreement to help minimize horse-related accidents. PHOENIX, January 11, 2020 - For Immediate Release. Tonto National Forest staff continue to oversee contracted installation of 14 miles of fence in the Lower Salt River area on the Mesa Ranger District as part of a joint effort to prevent horses from crossing Bush Highway, which endangers the animals and the public. The established fence line also... Full story
PHOENIX, January 27, 2020 - For Immediate Release. Fire specialists plan to burn 210 acres of vegetative debris piles Jan. 29-31. Ignitions will occur about nine miles north of Payson in the vicinity of Shadow Rim Girl Scout Ranch. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and smell light-to-moderate amounts of smoke during the three-day operation. Smoke will impact Shadow Rim, Verde Glen, and Rim Trail during the day. In the evening, smoke will impact Whispering Pines and Beaver... Full story
PHOENIX, December 13, 2019 - For Immediate Release. Today the USDA Forest Service released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Pinto Valley Mine project for public review and comment. The mining plan of operations submitted by Pinto Valley Mining Corp. proposes to expand existing open-pit copper and molybdenum mining operations from private lands onto National Forest System lands. The proposal would extend the mine life to 2039 and consolidate prior authorizations that are re... Full story
Outdoor Recreationists, Pilots And Drone Operators Asked To Avoid Bald Eagle Nest Areas Arizona's bald eagles are back and they will soon be working on the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide. To assist with the state's continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state's 89 eagle breeding areas. As such, some... Full story
It's A Wonderful Christmas Tradition It's a holiday tradition for many families -- a trip to and into the woods, scoping out the perfect tree for Christmas, and finally, cutting down the one that you think is ideal, and then transporting it to your home. Although it sounds simple enough, there are requirements and restrictions you need to know before you go, but every step of the process is definitely worth it. The prize? A lovely fresh tree with that wonderful scent that cannot be duplicated... Full story
New story map and podcast discuss the fire's impact on wildlife and the Superstition wilderness. The Woodbury Fire burned nearly 124,000 acres, much of it in the Superstition Wilderness Area, from early June through mid-July. Because of the popularity of this area among hikers, hunters and wildlife watchers, many people are asking, what damage did the fire do to landscapes and habitat? What impact did the fire have on wildlife? There are two new resources to help answer those questions:... Full story
Apache Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Arizona, and because the road is not paved, Apache rarely gets crowded, even in summer. Fishing can be awesome here, with largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, trout, yellow bass, catfish, carp, sunfish and crappies all represented. From the main marina west to Horse Mesa Dam the shoreline is mostly steep and rocky. Several good-sized coves cut into the shoreline, though, and provide plenty of good shallow-water fishing at this end, too. Right... Full story
PHOENIX – Recent moisture and cooler temperatures have allowed the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to lift fire restrictions on state-owned and managed lands across Arizona. Effective 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, the agency lifted Stage I restrictions in Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave – south of the Colorado River, and Yuma Counties. Stage I fire restrictions went into effect in June, but lingering dry conditions, an abundance of grass statewide, and a scarce monsoon season... Full story
The USDA Forest Service, Tonto National Forest Supervisors Office, located at 2324 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix, is temporarily closed for building repair. This closure occurred on Monday, May 6, and will continue until the lobby area can safely reopen. During this closure please contact any one of the ranger district offices with questions. • Cave Creek Ranger District, 40202 N. Cave Creek Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, (480) 595-3300 • Mesa Ranger District Office, 5140 E. Ingram Street, Mesa, AZ... Full story
Tonto Releases Supplemental Impact Statement For Motorized Travel Tonto officials have released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to address responses resulting from the Forest's 2016 Final Travel Management EIS and associated Draft Record of Decision (ROD). The Draft SEIS responds to 13 objections as well as direction from the Southwestern Regional Forester to conduct additional analysis prior to issuing the Final ROD for Travel Management on the Tonto National Forest.... Full story
Monday and Tuesday, May 6-7, 2019 PHOENIX, May 3, 2019-For Immediate Release. Tonto National Forest fire specialists will conduct prescribed fire treatments on approximately 820 acres northeast of Payson, starting on Monday, May 6, and continuing through Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The treatment area is located six miles north of Young, three miles south of Colcord Estates, and west of Forest Road 512, commonly referred to as the Young Road. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will close the Canyon Creek and Tonto Creek fish hatcheries, located in the Payson area of the Tonto National Forest, to the public during select dates for pavement repairs. Closure dates are as follows: Canyon Creek Hatchery: May 6-9, May 28-30. Tonto Creek Hatchery: May 10, May 31, June 1. These closures are necessary for public safety and to allow for proper curing of the slurry seal. For more information, contact the Tonto Creek Hatchery at 928-478-4200... Full story
April 12, 2019 - Good afternoon, Here is the final update for the East Fire. Thanks for sharing this information with your audience. Have a great weekend, Carrie Final Update: The East Fire, located south of Globe, is now 100% contained. Firefighters will mop-up hot spots, and smoke may continue to be visible for the next several days, unless the area getting a wetting rain. The final acreage of the East Fire was 5.9 acres. Carrie Templin Public Affairs Officer Forest Service Tonto National... Full story
When I was a kid, you could drive out Cave Creek Road to Jomax Road and be in the boonies. We'd go out there as a family, often with another family or a few aunts and uncles. While the ladies made breakfast, we'd set up a bunch of cans or cardboard boxes and we'd all take turns shooting at them. It was one of my favorite things to do as a kid. Afterwards, we'd pick up all the cans and targets and toss the paper and cardboard in the fire, but take the cans home to dispose of. One thing I learned... Full story
PHOENIX, February 21, 2019 — For Immediate Release – Forest officials are temporarily closing some roads and facilities on the Tonto National Forest due to extreme winter weather conditions. Roads and offices will remain closed until conditions improve. The purpose of these closures is for public and agency employees’ safety, as well as reducing resource damage. For more stories about Tonto National Forest go to https://www.westernoutdoortimes.com/search/tonto_national_forest . Closures inclu... Full story
Outdoor recreationists, pilots and drone operators asked to avoid bald eagle nest areas. Arizona's bald eagle breeding season is on the horizon and multiple public land and water areas will be closed to protect the majestic animals and ensure even more young eagles take to the skies this spring. Highly Successful Program Each year as part of its highly successful program to conserve and protect bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) asks outdoor recreationists, ai... Full story
When the weather starts heating up in Arizona, everyone begins to long for a large body of water to dive into. In an ideal situation, this body of water would also be beautiful and have lots of things to do and to look at. This pretty much describes Saguaro Lake in a nutshell. Now before I go getting you all excited about Saguaro, let me first tell you that Saguaro is a very popular lake and if you want to find a parking place for your boat trailer, you need to get there early. Fat Bass Add To L... Full story
As Summer Winds Down From the Tonto National Forest, here again are the tried-and-true reminders to ensure your visit is an enjoyable, safe one: Fireworks, Campfires, and Smoking Fireworks are prohibited year-round on all National Forest lands. While fire restrictions recently were lifted on the Tonto National Forest, vegetation remains dry. Visitors should carry enough extra water to extinguish campfires, choose campfire sites carefully, maintain small fires and ensure all fires and smoking mat... Full story
Beginning October 1, Maricopa County's Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the popular Buy One, Get One camping promotion! The promotion 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 during that same stay. "The Board takes a lot of pride in our parks system because it showcases so beautifully what is unique about living in the Sonoran desert," said Chairman Steve Chucri,... Full story
Visitors Reminded To Use Caution With Fire, Wildlife And Weather PHOENIX, August 29, 2018—For Immediate Release. The Forest Supervisor’s Office and all Ranger District offices located on the Tonto will be closed Monday, September 3, for the Labor Day holiday. Forest officials say they expect a large number of visitors to the Tonto’s campgrounds, picnic areas and recreation sites over the 3-day weekend. The following are tips for a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Fireworks, Campfires, and Smo... Full story
Hopefully we will get some rain soon - and during the summer months - and the forests will re-open, but if not, there are still places you can go to enjoy the outdoors. Arizona's State Parks are super places to visit - John and the girls and I have been to many of them. Here are a few of our favorites, with cooling-off in mind. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park This beautiful place is near Superior, Ariz., on highway 60. It does get warm there during the day, but they open at 6 a.m. from May ... Full story
Very High Fire Danger At Grand Canyon National Park With fire restrictions in effect across much of northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park's neighbors Coconino County, Arizona state lands in the county, and the Kaibab National Forest, NPS fire managers remind visitors and residents that fire danger in the park is very high. State 1 Restrictions Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) is in State 1 fire restrictions year-round, which means campfires are only allowed in the park's three... Full story
