Dragoons, Chiricahuas, Cochise, names that hark back to the Old West. All are associated with the lands that now make up the Douglas Ranger District. These ranges lie in the southeastern corner of Arizona & southwestern corner of New Mexico.
The Santa Ritas are topped by 9.453 foot Mt. Wrightson, which is surrounded by the 25,260 acre Wilderness area of the same name. Madera Canyon in the Santa Ritas is famous among birdwatchers the world over. A number of Forest roads, including the Madera Canyon Road, provide access to campgrounds, picnic areas and dozens of forest trails.
Pena Blanca Lake, at the edge of the Atascosas, offers developed campgrounds, picnic areas and fishing for stocked and resident species.
The Pajaritos are home to scenic Sycamore Canyon, a 7,420 acre Wilderness and a history of mining boomtowns and hardy pioneers.
This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Graham. A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs Lake.
The Galiuro Mountains are a large mountain range in the Madrean Sky Islands region of southeast Arizona. The range is noted for its height and ruggedness. The Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness encompasses the north perimeter of the range, and the large Galiuro Wilderness covers the central-south. To the south, the Galiuro Wilderness borders the Redfield Canyon Wilderness. A river valley borders the range to the southwest, and Aravaipa Creek and Valley border its northeast.
Located adjacent to Tucson, the Santa Catalina Recreation Area is the most heavily visited part of the Coronado National Forest. The Catalina Highway (General Hitchcock or 833) winds nearly to the top of 9.157 foot Mt. Lemmon, providing paved access to trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas and even a downhill ski area, Ski Valley. The Santa Catalinas are home to Sabino Canyon and the 56,933 acre Pusch Ridge Wilderness area.
Welcome to the Santa Catalina Mountains, one of the premier natural areas in southeastern Arizona. The elevation ranges from 2,724 ft. in Sabino Canyon to 9,157 ft. at the top of Mt. Lemmon. The lowland desert as well as the high pine forest is managed for many multi-use purposes; hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, camping, education and research are among some of the activities.
Outstanding scenery abound, featuring steep rock cliffs and foothills coverd with unique desert vegetation adjacent to riparian corridors.
A perfect springtime walk in Sabino Canyon, along the Phoneline Trail with it's bright Brittlebrush plants high up on the hillside overlooking the slowly ascending 3.7 miles paved road thru Sabino Canyon.
As the desert blooms in the springtime, in the lowland portion of Sabino Canyon, the Barrel Cactus blooms a variety of colors. This one has bursts of red blooms that makes a beautiful sight as well as a tasty treat for the wildlife.
The Sierra Vista Recreational Area incorporates several mountain ranges which are separated by rolling hill county and some of the Southwest's most extensive grasslands. The area includes the Huachuca, Patagonia and Whetstone mountains and the Canelo Hills. These areas were once the focus of extensive mining activity and their canyons and ridges are rich in the history of those colorful days.
An extensive network of trails provides access to the Huachuca Mountains and to the 20,190 acre Miller Peak Wilderness.
In Ramsey Canyon, where miners once sluiced, blasted and tunneled for gold and silver, birdwatchers have founda gentler bonanza.
A number of scenic drives cross the area's broad grasslands, and anglers find their reward in Parker Canyon Lake where stocked trout, as well as other species, challenge fishermen.
