Closures and Restrictions on the Tonto National Forest

Alerts

• Reminder: NFSR 487 and 487 (A) Temporary Road Closure

  Date(s): Jun 30, 2022 - Jul 18, 2023

  As a reminder, to protect the public’s health and safety from unsafe road conditions the following roads are closed:

  • National Forest System Road (NFSR) 487 (Workman Creek Road), starting ¼ mile west of Workman Creek Falls, then continuing east/southeast, ending at the Aztec Lookout Tower on Aztec Peak.
  • NFSR 487A (Murphy Ranch Road), starting at its intersection with NFSR 487, then continuing north, to its terminus at Murphy Ranch.

  This closure went into effect June 18, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., and shall remain in effect until June 18, 2023, or until rescinded, whichever occurs earlier.

  • Closure order
  • Closure map

  The original closure was posted June 22, 2021.

• Invitation to Bid - Land Auction - 17 Acres

  Date(s): Jul 29, 2022

  The U.S. General Services Administration will be auctioning off 17 acres of vacant land known as the Cave Creek administrative site beginning Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, 11 a.m. Central Time. Details and registration available for download in the Invitation for Bids.

• Bald Eagle Seasonal Closures

  Date(s): Feb 23, 2022

  The Tonto National Forest contains a significant portion of the core breeding areas for the bald eagle in Arizona along portions of the Salt and Verde rivers within the Forest.  Through management and protection of these bald eagle nesting areas, the Tonto National Forest has contributed to the recovery of the bald eagle since the species was listed in 1967.  The Forest has promoted protection and enhancement of the species and its habitat by restricting land management activities, maintaining "No Entry" areas around bald eagle nests, initiating and supporting the "Bald Eagle Nestwatch".

  Bald Eagle Closure Orders

• Occupancy and Use Restrictions

  Date(s): Feb 18, 2022 - Feb 19, 2026

  The purpose of Order 03-12-00-22-04 Occupancy and Use Restrictions is to protect public health and safety, prevent user conflicts, and conserve forest resources. This order is effective February 19, 2022, and will remain in effect until February 19, 2026. The Restricted Area consists of all National Forest System lands, waters, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Tonto National Forest, as depicted in Exhibit A map of this Order.

• Target Type Restrictions

  Date(s): Sep 27, 2021 - Sep 27, 2023

  Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Tonto National Forest, State of Arizona.

  • 1. Possessing or storing any refuse for the purpose of target shooting with a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(cc). Refuse includes any material used as targets except: ....

  Full Notice

• Regional Motor Vehicle Code

  Date(s): May 31, 2019 - Jun 1, 2023

  PROHIBITIONS:

  • Operating any type of vehicle that does not comply with the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (a)
  • Operating any type of vehicle in a manner inconsistent with the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (b)
  • Using a road for commercial hauling without a permit or written authorization. 36 CFR 261.54 (c)
  • Operating a vehicle in violation of the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (d)
  • Being on the road while operating any type of vehicle in violation of the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (e)
  • Operating any type of vehicle carelessly, recklessly, or without regard for the rights or safety of other persons or in a manner or at a speed that would endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. 36 CFR 261.54 (f)

  See Order 03-00-00-19-002

• Doak Road (Forest Road 221) Impassable

  Date(s): May 13, 2019

  Doak Road (Forest Road 221) on the south side of the Pinal Mountains near Globe is impassable because of landslide.   The Landslide is located on FR 221 about one and one half miles from the junction with FR 651, just above Mill Creek. The road will remain impassable until crews are in the area and can remove the landslide.

• Special Restrictions for Occupancy and Use 03-12-00-18-329

  Date(s): Feb 22, 2018

  The purpose of this Order is the protection of National Forest visitors and employees, the prevention of user conflicts, the conservation of natural resources, and the protection of property belonging to the United States.

  Closure Order and Map

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Closures

• Critical Rattlesnake Cove Recreation Fishing Dock Closure 03-12-01-22-26

  Date(s): Sep 29, 2022 - Oct 1, 2024

  Effective October 1, 2023, at 6:00 a.m., the Rattlesnake Cove Recreation fishing dock and associated ramp walkway located within the Rattlesnake Cover Recreation Site at Bartlett Lake will be closed under order 03-12-01-22-26.

  The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety during construction work. Please review Exhibit A. The order will be in effect through October 01, 2024, unless rescinded.

  • Closure Order
  • Exhibit A Map
• Critical Three Mile Wash Campground Closure 03-12-06-22-27

  Area(s): Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area

  Date(s): Sep 28, 2022 - Sep 30, 2023

  To protect public health and safety due to unsafe conditions and areas affected by flash flooding, the Tonto National Forest has issued Order 03-12-06-22-27 Three Mile Wash Campground Closure effective October 1, 2022, at 6 a.m. The order will remain in effect until September 30, 2023, at 6:00 am, unless rescinded.

  The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, waters, and roads depicted in Exhibit A:

  1. Going into or being on the Described Area.
  2. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof in the Described Area.

  Review the closure order and map: 

  • Closure Order
  • Exhibit A Map
• Critical TEMPORARY ROAD, TRAIL AND AREA CLOSURE FOR THE BACKBONE FIRE

  Area(s): Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Trail-No. 18

  Date(s): Apr 19, 2022 - Dec 31, 2022

  All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the boundary described and mapped in the closure order 03-04-22-05 are closed for public safety due to recent fire activities in the restricted area. This area includes the Payson Ranger District within the Tonto National Forest and the Red Rock Ranger District within the Coconino National Forest.

  This Order supersedes Order 03-04-21-21 and any previous order prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.

  Review closure order 03-04-22-05

  Exhibit A map: PDF JPG

• Amended - Apache Lake Closure - Lower Burnt Corral Campground remains closed

  Date(s): Apr 27, 2022 - Dec 31, 2024

  The Tonto Basin Ranger District has amended the Apache Lake temporary public safety closure order. Forest Road 52 has re-opened; Three-mile Wash, Upper Burnt Corral and Burnt Corral Campgrounds are no longer within the restricted area.

  The Lower Burnt Corral Campground (developed recreation site) remains within the restricted area to protect National Forest visitor health and safety due to unsafe conditions and area affected by flash flooding.

  The order is effective April 26, 2022, and shall remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2024, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. This Order supersedes Order 03-12-06-21-485, dated Dec. 1, 2021.

  • Amended Closure Order
  • Amended Map
• Davis Wash Closure Extended

  Date(s): Apr 1, 2022 - Mar 31, 2024

  The Tonto Basin Ranger District has extended a public safety closure order at Davis Wash. The purpose of this order is to protect National Forest visitor health and safety, as the Restricted Area is highly susceptible to flash flooding due to elevated run off from the Woodbury Fire burned area. The order supersedes Order Number: 03-12-06-21-433; and effective April 1, 2022. It shall remain in effect until March 31, 2024, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

  Closure Order

  Map

• Grapevine Group Site Closure Order

  Date(s): Jan 1, 2022 - Dec 31, 2022

  Grapevine Group Site Closure Order includes closures at developed recreation sites within the Grapevine Group Camp site located off National Forest System Road (NFSR) 84: Grebe Loop, Mallard Loop, Teal Loop, Egret Loop, Cormorant Loop, Heron Loop, and Pintail Loop. All of these developed recreation sites are closed. The Order is being implemented due to no water at sites or restrooms.

  Note: Grapevine Boat Ramp will remain open, as well as the Coot and Goose loops.

  The Order will be effective on December. 31, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., and shall remain in effect until December 31, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

  Closure Order
  Closure Order Map

• NFSR 487 and 487 (A) Temporary Road Closure

  Date(s): Jun 22, 2021 - Jul 18, 2023

  To protect the public’s health and safety from unsafe road conditions the following roads are closed:

  • National Forest System Road (NFSR) 487 (Workman Creek Road), starting ¼ mile west of Workman Creek Falls, then continuing east/southeast, ending at the Aztec Lookout Tower on Aztec Peak.
  • NFSR 487A (Murphy Ranch Road), starting at its intersection with NFSR 487, then continuing north, to its terminus at Murphy Ranch.

  This is effective June 18, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., and shall remain in effect until June 18, 2023, or until rescinded, whichever occurs earlier.

  • Closure order
  • Closure map
• Temporary Road Closure - National Forest System Road 708

  Date(s): May 4, 2021 - May 6, 2023

  National Forest System Road 708 (also known as Fossil Creek Road) is temporarily closed to protect public safety during periods of unsafe road conditions resulting from unstable road surfaces. Using a motor vehicle on NFSR 708 is prohibited starting at 9:00 a.m. on May 7, 2021, until May 6, 2023, or until the Order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.

  • Closure order
  • Closure map

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