FAQs
Here you will find the answers to our customers' most commonly asked questions. If you need further information, please feel free to contact your local Forest Service Managing Office for greater details. If your questions can be answered in advance, or instantly, through the website, our phone traffic will be reduced dramatically. If you have any suggestions or a question that you think should be included here please tell us.
OHVs/ATVs can be ridden on most forest routes (roads and trails). State law requires you to be street legal to drive on any road maintained by a city, county or the state. This includes a state license plate (similar to your car or truck plate-not a title plate generally given to you when you buy a new ATV), insurance and you must be a licensed driver.
Protect your riding areas by leaving them cleaner than you found them, stay on the routes (don't go off road, spin circles or make jumps) and conserve your forest for your grandchildren.
Off-Highway Vehicle Special Recreation Permit (OHV Permit) is required for motorized vehicle access in the Bulldog Canyon, The Rolls, St. Clair, and Desert Vista OHV Permit Zones. The date for the Lower Sycamore OHV Permit Zone is to be determined. OHV Permit Frequently Asked Questions.
OHV Resources
Campgrounds are called "developed" when they have at least a few amenities (e.g. roads, parking areas, entrance signs, and vault toilets). More highly developed sites may also include showers, shade ramadas, picnic tables, grills, electricity, vault toilets, sewer, and water. Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash.
For those who prefer solitude and privacy, undeveloped or dispersed camping is allowed in most places within the forest boundary. Dispersed camping is more primitive than in the developed campgrounds with few or no facilities. You will need to Pack it in, Pack it out.
To find out what facilities are available at developed campgrounds, please visit the campground page to get details on what facilities are available at individual campgrounds
Q: How do I reserve a camping unit?
A: All developed campgrounds have units that are available on a "first-come, first-serve" basis, while some have units which can be reserved. Click on Camping & Picnicking to see which campgrounds accept reservations. If you would like to reserve a unit, call our national reservations system at 1-877-444-6777 (toll free number), TDD at 1-877-833-6777 or on the web at www.recreation.gov.
Q: How quickly do the campgrounds fill up?
A: How quickly a campground fills depends on several factors including: holidays, weekends, accessibility and the weather. Ranger station personnel where the campground is located will be able to advise you about availability.
Q: What if I see a wildfire on the forest?
A: Call 911.
During the work week the main Tonto switchboard at 602-225-5200, can direct you to a wildfire specialist, law enforcement officer, etc. as necessary. To report a wildfire after regular business hours call 480-457-1555.
It is always appropriate to directly contact the ranger district office where the fire is located.
When a position is available, a vacancy announcement or recruiting bulletin is issued to solicit applications. Current openings are listed on the Office of Personnel Management Employment Information Homepage, USAJOBS, accessible at https://www.usajobs.gov/ by typing in the keyword Forest Service. The jobs are posted in alphabetical order by their title (e.g. archaeologist, forestry technician, etc.). This is a listing of Forest Service jobs nationwide.
Q: What is a forest order and what does it do?
A: The Forest service may mandate a restriction upon certain activities including closing a defined area on the forest (called a closure). For example, certain roads may be closed when they are very wet. The purpose of this type of closure would be to protect human life and to prevent damage to the road. Closures might also be implemented in the case of a forest fire or to protect human life or property associated with government activities.
Violations of these prohibitions can be punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment for up to six (6) months, or both.
Q: What are fire restrictions?
A: The forest supervisor issues a forest order after coordinating with the district ranger (s) and fire management officers. Conditions that could warrant fire restrictions and/or closures of certain areas include, but are not limited to: high temperatures, low humidity, low fuel moistures, and an increase in number of fire starts.
Fire restrictions usually mean that campfires, and smoking are not permitted. (Charcoal, wood and coal stoves outsides dwellings are classified as campfires). Use of gasoline or propane/butane-fueled devises are usually permitted during fire restrictions.
Smoking is, however, permitted in designated campgrounds and picnic grounds or while traveling in a vehicle (an ashtray must be used).
When the situation is extremely bad, it may be necessary to keep all visitors out of the national forest.
It is advisable to call ahead to the local ranger stations, since restrictions may vary throughout the forest.
Visit out Alerts page for the latest Forest Orders/Closures.
Q: What should I do if I spot illegal activity in the forest?
A: If you see possible illegal activity please contact one of the five (5) districts ranger offices on the Tonto National Forest.
LEI Central Arizona Zone (Tonto & Prescott NF)
If the situation requires immediate law enforcement attention please call 911.
Q: Are maps of the national forests available?
A: Yes. The Tonto National Forest has visitor maps of the following areas available for sale:
Apache Sitgreaves National Forest
Coconino National Forest
Coronado National Forest
Kaibab National Forest
Prescott National Forest
Tonto National Forest
Mazatzal Wilderness
Superstition Wilderness
Visit our Maps and Guides page for ways to purchase a map.
Q: What is NEPA?
A: "NEPA" refers to the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA provides direction for the planning, analysis and public disclosure of federally funded projects that affect our environment.
Q: How much is an annual pass and what does it cover?
A: The Tonto Discovery Pass is available for $80.00 per year. It covers all picnic or day-use only sites, shoreline sites, and boat launches. Individuals who hold an Interagency America the Beautiful Senior or Access Pass will be able to purchase the Tonto Discovery Pass for $60.00 per year.
The Tonto Discovery Pass (annual pass) allows the holder and all persons in the vehicle to use all daily fee sites on the Tonto without paying the daily fee. It is not valid for use at campgrounds, group use sites or at concession-operated sites. Examples of where it can be used are boating sites and day use sites on all Salt and Verde River lakes and shoreline access areas at Roosevelt, Apache and Bartlett Lakes.
Q: Can a visitor from outside the US obtain an interagency Senior Pass?
A: No. The Senior Pass is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A non-citizen must have a United States Permanent Resident Card or "Green Card" to be eligible for a Senior Pass.
Q: How much does the Tonto Daily Pass cost?
A: $8.00
Daily Passes are hangtags, designed to be self-validating. Visitors scratch off the date and time of their visit upon reaching their forest destination. This design allows Daily Passes to be conveniently obtained in advance of forest visits.
Passes expire 24 hours from time of validation.
Q: Where are Tonto Passes Sold?
A: Daily Passes and Watercraft stickers can be purchased at designated vendors. List of Retail Outlets
All of the passes for the Forest are available at each Ranger District. Ranger District information at here.
Visit the Passes page for more information.
Q: How do I obtain a special-use permit?
A: There are many different "special uses" within the Tonto National Forest. They vary widely: from a fishing tournament to a multi-day, guided pack trip; from a small water development to a major power-line. All such activities and uses require a Special-Use Permit (SUP).
If you feel you have an appropriate activity or use, first visit your local ranger station. It may take some time to evaluate your proposal or a decision may be made quickly.
Q: Where can I get a Christmas tree permit?
A: The Arizona national forests personal-use Christmas tree harvest is extremely popular, with tags for some cutting areas being highly popular. The Christmas tree-cutting tags are to harvest one tree, less than 10 feet tall, in designated areas on several Arizona national forests. The cutting period is normally around the end of November (a date is specified annually) up to December 24 at midnight.
Information concerning this program is disseminated to the media and posted annually on the Tonto National Forest website in September, usually right after Labor Day. Additionally, some forests sell tree-cutting tags over the counter. This information is also disseminated to the media and posted on forest websites.
Q: How much does a Christmas tree permit cost?
A: The price for a Christmas tree-cutting tag is $15 to cover the cost of administrating the program.
Q: How many Christmas tree permits can I get?
A: Only one tag per residence is allowed. Only individuals or families may apply for trees to be used in their household. Companies, organizations or schools may not apply for this household-targeted program.
Anyone cutting a tree without a valid permit can be fined and his or her tree confiscated. No tree harvested under this program may be sold.
Visit the Permits page for more information.
Q: Are forest roads open to the public?
Each Forest Service road exists to access a specified area or need identified as necessary for management of the portion of national forest the road serves. Roads are constructed and maintained with funds appropriated by Congress, or paid for by an interested third party, such as a logging road or access to a resort. These roads are necessary for management of the national forests. The Forest Service is the owner of these roads. (By contrast, "public roads" are roads owned by cities, states, and counties, constructed and maintained with highway user funds such as gas tax and vehicle license fees, and are intended for all uses in the general commerce of the United States.) Thus, while Forest Service roads are necessary for management of the public's national forests, the roads themselves may not individually be open to all types of vehicles at all times.
For example: Most national roads are constructed and maintained for use by prudent drivers in high clearance vehicles (such as pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and commercial trucks) as opposed to ordinary passenger cars. Speed of travel is not usually a consideration in the design of "high clearance" roads. Different skills are needed to drive on these roads than down the highway in the family sedan.
Commercial use of a Forest Service road requires authorization in a contract or permit. Commercial operators are required to perform or pay for road maintenance made necessary by their use.
Snow is not generally plowed on Forest Service roads.
Individual roads may be closed to vehicles to protect resources or simply because the need for a road is intermittent in nature. Forest Service roads closed to vehicles may be open to foot travel.
When you visit the Tonto or other national forests, you will probably reach your destination by traveling on a Forest Service road; some may be closed, others may be open. Please drive carefully paying attention to wildlife crossing the road, other traffic, sharp curves, and delicate surface conditions.
Q: Can I volunteer to work on the forest?
A: Public involvement is an important part of managing national forest system lands. We rely on volunteers to assist with campgrounds, trail maintenance, and other programs. Concerned citizens help the forest to provide better wildlife habitat, identify and preserve historic sites, etc.
Contact your local ranger station to find out what opportunities are available in that area.
Visit our Volunteers page for more information.
What is the Plant-A-Tree program?
People often wish to leave living memorials for those they have lost or want to plant trees to commemorate special occasions. In response to these wishes, the U.S. Forest Service has established a special program to allow people to donate money toward planting trees on national forests. The minimum donation for receiving a Plant-A-Tree certificate is $10. This program qualifies as a charitable deduction for the Internal Revenue Service.
What do contributors receive?
After a donation is made, the contributor receives a certificate. The certificate (suitable for framing) recognizes the contribution to the Plant-A-Tree program. Space is available here to explain the reason for the contribution, the certificate is then signed by an official from the U.S. Forest Service.
If requested, certificates can be sent to more than one person. If special wording is desired on the certificate, please let us know.
Where are the trees planted?
The Forest Service uses the funds donated to the Plant-A-Tree Program to finance re-forestation projects on national forests.
Can I request a Plant-A-Tree certificate through the mail?
Yes, we are happy to handle a plant a tree request by mail. All you need to do is send us the information listed below and enclose a check for at least $10.00 to the USDA Forest Service, 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006. Please do not send cash or credit card information.
Include the following information:
- Who is it for? (in memory of someone who has passed away or in honor of someone for a special occasion: birthday, anniversary, wedding, retirement, other.)
- Who do you want the certificate sent to? (If it's a special event, the person's name and address. If it's a memorial, we need the name and address of the family of the person who has passed away) We also need the address of the person who will receive the certificate.
- Your name and address so that we can send you an acknowledgement letter. Please include a phone number in case we have questions or need clarification.
We then mail the certificate and a letter notifying the honorees that a contribution has been made to the Plant a Tree Program in their name.
For current information on lake water levels, go to Salt River Project's website at www.srpnet.com or call the recorded message line 602-236-5929.
Q: Where can I get information about the trailheads and trails?
A: To find out information about trailheads, trails and basic trail information, please click on Hiking & Trail-Riding to get the recreation opportunity guide (ROG) for that trail, or contact one of the five ranger station for further information.
Visit the Recreation page for more information.