Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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In first phase of long-term project on Tonto National Forest lakes, AZGFD biologists sink fish habitat structures. PHOENIX – They are manmade homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, and like building a neighborhood, provide the architecture for sustainable life. The first step in placing fish habitat into the central Arizona reservoirs took place on Thursday, April 20 at Roosevelt Lake with Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists dropping Fishiding HighRise structures made o... Full story
Note - See the update at the bottom of this story for areas that have reopened since the issue date. PHOENIX, AZ, February 28, 2017—For Immediate Release. Forest Road 19, leading to Bartlett Lake, is closed due to flooding just east of the Cave Creek Ranger District office. Forest Road 20 which leads to Needle Rock and Box Bar is also closed due to flooding. Recreation sites around Horseshoe and Bartlett reservoirs have been closed because of water flowing into and through the Verde River s... Full story
Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering four more fee-free days on public lands in 2017. The fee-free program is in cooperation with other federal land management agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Fees will be waived at all day-use sites including picnic grounds, shorelines and boat launches operated by the Tonto National Forest. Concessionaire-operated facilities, camping and campground fees will not be waived. The remaining four fee-free days... Full story
Tip Of The Week Bartlett Lake in the Tonto National Forest can be a great place for winter crappie and bass. Some of the best crappie fishing can be done in the cold of the morning - then anglers can switch to bass. Consider throwing crankbaits and spinnerbaits with a slow presentation. Trailers on spinnerbaits, and slow-rolling across the rock stringers, can work well at times. Once you get a feeling for where the bass are holding, switch to the finesse style of drop-shotting. Did you know the... Full story
The Tonto National Forest began selling Christmas tree permits on November 16. Permits will be available at Cave Creek, Mesa, Payson, and Pleasant Valley ranger districts and at the Supervisors Office at the hours and locations listed below. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone. Permits can be purchased in person with cash, check, or credit card. Customers will be provided a map that shows the designated cutting areas along with additional Christmas tree... Full story
Publisher's Note: We at Arizona Boating & Watersports / Western Outdoor Times would like to congratulate Don McDowell. His hard work, perseverance, and dedication to preserving our wildlife has been acknowledged by his being awarded the AZGF Commission Advocate Of The Year (Federal). McDowell has worked tirelessly for many years to preserve our outdoor heritage. He is a valuable asset to the State of Arizona and the country as well. We hope that those who are responsible for making decisions... Full story
Popular recreation sites on the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix are either opening for the season, or closing for the season, depending on the location. The Mesquite and Horseshoe campgrounds and Fisherman's Point (also known as Catfish Point) re-opened for the winter on Oct.1. These three areas are on the Cave Creek Ranger District near Horseshoe Lake. They are popular camping spots for fisherman. On the Mesa Ranger District, seasonal reductions in services at some developed recreation sites... Full story
These memorable destinations are enough to fill a lifetime of "bucket lists". As we celebrate the centennial of the National Parks Service, many will be visiting national sites throughout the country. A good place to start is here at home as Arizona has over two dozen of these spectacular destinations within the state. National Monuments In Arizona Canyon De Chelly Chinle, Ariz. For nearly 5,000 years, people have lived in these canyons - longer than anyone has lived uninterrupted anywhere on... Full story
PHOENIX, July 14, 2016-For Immediate Release. The Tonto National Forest remains in fire restrictions. The hot, dry weather has dried out plants, causing fire danger to remain high. The Tonto National Forest will remain in fire restrictions until the monsoon rains make a comeback, which is not predicted in the immediate future. Campfires are only permitted at developed campgrounds listed on the fire restrictions order. If you are at a campground where fires are permitted, never leave your... Full story
Enjoy a narrated 90-minute cruise on Saguaro Lake, an easy drive from Phoenix and Mesa. Hop on board Desert Belle, a restored sightseeing vessel with spectacular views of the desert landscape. Snap photos of Tonto National Forest, and look for local wildlife such as bald eagles, coyotes and bobcats. Ride in your choice of an air-conditioned cabin or shaded open-air top deck, with great views from all seats. Drinks are available for purchase on board, or you can upgrade to include preferred... Full story
From National Fire Prevention Team For The Tonto And Coconino National Forests (Phoenix Interagency Fire Center ) • Campfires should always be attended by a responsible adult. • Only burn locally purchased firewood. • Firewood collection is prohibited on parts of the forests. Check with local Forest Service offices regarding restrictions. • Keep your campfire to a manageable size. • Burn the wood completely to ash. • When extinguishing your campfire, drown with... Full story
The Tonto National Forest joins other federal land management agencies in honoring the fee-free program, which is under the Federal Lands Recreation Act. The Tonto is waiving fees at the developed picnic sites. Fees will still apply at developed campgrounds, boat launch ramps, shorelines, and concessionaire-operated sites. Two remaining 2016 fee-free days that will be honored are — • September 24 - National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort supporting pub... Full story
The Tonto National Forest released a draft decision on the Travel Management Project today, which designates a system of roads, trails, and areas for motorized use, as well as prohibits general cross-country travel. Not Everyone Will Be Happy “I realize not everyone will be happy with the decision. It is the Tonto National Forest’s best effort to strike a reasonable balance that is responsive to the vast majority of public input the Forest received,” said Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor. While... Full story
PHOENIX, July 22, 2016—For Immediate Release. An individual operating a recreational Unmanned Aircraft System near the Webber fire on the Tonto National Forest July 21 disrupted wildfire operations for more than two hours when forest officials shut down air operations for safety reasons. Ground personnel spotted the UAS, often referred to as a (hobby) “drone”, at approximately 11:15 a.m. Information on the sighting was relayed to two helicopter crews, which were flying low-level, fire suppr... Full story
Conclusive evidence of quagga mussels has recently been discovered at Canyon, Saguaro and Apache lakes, major recreational waters on the Tonto National Forest. The Arizona Game and Fish Department listed these lakes as AIS-affected waters under AIS Directors Orders #2 at the beginning of May. There is not an infestation of quaggas at Apache, Saguaro or Canyon. Yet there is genetic and visual evidence in all these waters of the invasive quaggas that colonize rapidly on hard surfaces and can ruin... Full story
Many find it hard to believe that sailing is even available in Arizona, much less that it is so popular. Yes, the Desert Southwest even has sailing clubs, yacht clubs, and many sailing courses and activities - for all ages and skill levels. Forget the sand and set your sails this summer! We thank Ed and Debbie Huntsman for the cover photo of their boat Bliss who called Arizona home for many years but now plies the waters on Lake Ponchatrain in Louisiana where Ed is now Boating Safety Program... 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
PHOENIX – Conclusive evidence of quagga mussels has recently been discovered at Canyon, Saguaro and Apache lakes, major recreational waters on the Tonto National Forest. Effective May 1, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will list these lakes as AIS-affected waters under AIS Directors Orders #2. There is not an infestation of quaggas at Apache, Saguaro or Canyon. Yet there is genetic and visual evidence in all these waters of the invasive quaggas that colonize rapidly on hard surfaces and c... 
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Globe, Arizona, May 19, 2016, —For Immediate Release. –Tonto National Forest officials issued a temporary closure at the Pioneer Pass Campground in the Pinal Mountains, because of repeated bear sightings. The area closure order is effective immediately. The purpose of this closure order is to protect visitors, employees and contractors while Arizona Game and Fish attempts to capture a bear that has become hanging around the area. The closed area includes the Pioneer Pass Recreation Area and all... Full story
Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering fee-free days on public lands in 2016, beginning January 18 in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The remaining 2016 fee-free days honored by national forests are - • Feb. 15 President's Day • June 11 National Get Outdoors Day • Sept. 24 National Public Lands Day • Nov. 11 Veterans Day Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of develop... Full story
The Tonto National Forest are selling Christmas tree permits at Mesa, Payson, and Pleasant Valley Ranger districts and at the Supervisors Office at the hours and locations listed below. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone. In recent years, the Forest has not run out of permits. Permits can be purchased in person with cash, check, or credit card. Customers will be provided a map that shows the designated cutting areas along with additional Christmas tree... Full story
The Mesquite and Horseshoe campgrounds and Fisherman's Point (also known as Catfish Point) re-opened for the winter early last month. These three areas are near Horseshoe Lake and are popular camping spots for fisherman. These sites accept the Tonto Pass, or annual pass. There are no trash collection services at these sites. If you pack it in, you need to pack it out. Stay limit is 14 days. Horseshoe Lake is a reservoir that was formed by the Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River. This lake is locate... Full story
For many, Labor Day signaled the end of summer, but at Arizona State Parks, it's just the beginning of your family adventures. Get away from the hectic fall schedule and travel to some parks and nearby communities. Create moments to share while exploring the beautiful State of Arizona. Here are the top picks of some parks and nearby communities, events and fun things to do on a weekend. • Lyman Lake State Park (St. Johns) - Stay in a rustic camping cabin by the lake and enjoy activities i... Full story
Beginning October 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 seventh year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion," said Chairman Steve Chucri, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, D... Full story
Tonto National Forest officials are changing recreation fees at campgrounds, day-use sites, boat launches, and shoreline areas beginning on January 1, 2016. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) that allows the Forest Service to collect and retain 95 percent of fees at certain recreation sites and use those 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... Full story
