Prescott National Forest

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Prescott National Forest
Prescott Natl Forest Nima5.JPG
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Location Yavapai County and Coconino County, Arizona, US
Nearest city Prescott, AZ
Coordinates 34°37′N112°37′W / 34.617°N 112.617°W / 34.617; -112.617
Area1,250,000 acres (5,100 km2)
Established1908
Governing body U.S. Forest Service
Website Prescott National Forest

The Prescott National Forest is a 1.25 million-acre (510,000 ha) United States National Forest located in north central Arizona in the vicinity of Prescott. The forest is located in the mountains southwest of Flagstaff and north of Phoenix in Yavapai County, with a small portion (about 3.5 percent) extending into southwestern Coconino County.

Contents

The Forest Service divides the forest into 3 administrative districts. The northern section of the forest is the Chino Valley Ranger District, the southwest section is the Bradshaw Ranger District, and the southeast section is the Verde Ranger District. Central administrative offices are in Prescott with local ranger district offices in Camp Verde, Chino Valley, and Prescott. [1]

Wilderness

There are eight designated wilderness areas comprising more than 104,000 acres (421 km2), located entirely or partially within the Prescott National Forest. These are:

Campgrounds

The following table(s) display all public campgrounds within the Prescott National Forest. [2]

Dispersed campsites

Dispersed campsites are undeveloped and no facilities such as trash collection, water and toilets are available. Recommended for experienced campers.

Dispersed camping is allowed in wide areas of the Forest except in the Prescott Basin area. Dispersed campsite locations in that area are listed below.

Campsite locationsNumber of campsitesCampsite numbers
FDR 23 – Enchanted Forest Road111–11
FDR 30 – Bannie Mine Road131–13
C 56 – Senator Highway71–7
FDR 79 – Tritle Mountain Road161–16
FDR 80 – Sundance Road61–6
FDR 9406L – Pipeline Road51–5
C 101 – Groom Creek Cut Off Road141–14
FDR 64 – Marapai Road71–7
C64 – Copper Basin Road51–5
FDR 51 – Pott's Creek81–8

Family campgrounds

Developed campsites designed to accommodate families of 5-10 (maximum) per site.

CampgroundDistrictElevationOpen seasonSitesFeeFeatures
Alto Pit OHV CampgroundBradshaw6,200All Year11$10 Single
$20 Double
$3 Day Use
Overnight Camping and Day Use
Groom Creek Horse CampBradshaw6,00005/01 – 10/3136$10Equestrian campground (horse required), trail access, drinking water, 12 corrals, 2 group sites
Hazlett HollowBradshaw6,00005/01 – 10/0115$6Hiking, remote area, drinking water
HilltopBradshaw5,80003/30 – 10/3138$18Hiking, fishing, gold panning, drinking water
Lower Wolf CreekBradshaw6,00005/01 – 10/3120$6Hiking, no drinking water
Lynx Lake Bradshaw5,60003/30-10/3136$18Lake, boating, fishing, gold panning, hiking, drinking water, no swimming
Mingus Mountain
(Black Hills)
Verde7,60005/01 – 10/3125$6Loop B 6 sites ($6.00), Loop E 19 RV sites ($6.00), hiking, scenic views, no drinking water
Potato PatchVerde7,00005/01 – 10/3140$10/$15Loop A 28 sites ($10.00), Loop B 12 RV sites ($15.00), hiking, close to wilderness, drinking water
Powell SpringsVerde5,300All year10$6No drinking water
White SparBradshaw5,700All year60$10Drinking water, 11 sites open all year
YavapaiBradshaw5,600All year25$10Hiking, drinking water, near Granite Lake

* Pricing and Open Season information current as of Monday, 3 December 2007 at 18:27:06 EST; please refer to the official Forest Service website for up-to-date information as it is subject to change.

History

The Prescott Forest Reserve was established by the General Land Office on May 10, 1898. It was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1906 and became a National Forest on March 4, 1907. On July 1, 1908, it absorbed Verde National Forest, and on October 22, 1934, it absorbed Tusayan National Forest. [3]

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The Chino Valley of Arizona is a large, 70-mi (113 km) long valley, centered on Seligman, Arizona in northwest Yavapai County and southwest Coconino County. The valley is located at the southwest of the Coconino Plateau and lies in the extreme northwest of Arizona's transition zone.

References

  1. "Prescott National Forest; About the Forest; Contact Us". USDA Forest Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  2. Prescott National Forest – Recreational Activities: Camping
  3. Davis, Richard C. (September 29, 2005), National Forests of the United States (PDF), Forest History Society, archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2012, retrieved April 29, 2009