Welcome to the Southwestern Region

The Southwestern Region is 20.6 million acres. There are six national forests in Arizona, five national forests and a national grassland in New Mexico, and one national grassland each in Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle.The region ranges in elevation from 1,600 feet above sea level and an annual rain fall of 8 inches in Arizona's lower Sonoran Desert to 13,171-foot high Wheeler Peak and over 35 inches of precipitation a year in northern New Mexico.  map of forest locations »

Features

Proposed Recreation Fees and Comment Information

We are accepting comments on proposed changes to the management of the developed recreation program. These changes will impact campgrounds and day-use sites on the Carson, Gila, Lincoln, and Santa Fe National Forests, and the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands. Comment period ends December 31, 2020.

Partners work together to restore and protect Bill Williams Mountain

The Kaibab National Forest, in partnership with Coconino County, the National Forest Foundation, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, began technical steep slope forest restoration and fuels reduction work on the Bill Williams Mountain in September 2019. This project is a top priority for all of the partners in order to reduce unnaturally dense timber stands and heavy accumulations of dead and down woody fuels on the highest portion of the mountain’s north face in areas difficult to access.

View All Features

Spotlights

New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse

Information on the listing of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse.  Summary and background information, links to projects and reference material.

Bark Beetle Outbreak

Information on bark beetle effects.

Travel Management

Information about off-highway vehicle use on national forests and grasslands.