The Digital Travel Map is a free resource for anyone headed out into the Coconino National Forest. Whether you're driving, hiking, riding, or exploring, you will find this full color, GPS-enabled map a handy reference to have on your mobile device. The map show trails, recreation sites, major landmarks, and forest boundaries in addition to the roads shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.
Thank you for helping us protect our natural resources for future generations!
Be aware the Summer Skyride shuts down any time there is lightning. Scheduled to open for winter skiing on Nov 20. For current weather, visit National Weather Service.
Fossil Creek Road Partial Closure: Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) is closed between Fossil Springs Trailhead (just west of Strawberry, AZ) and the Waterfall Trailhead (east of Fossil Creek Bridge) indefinitely. See the Fossil Creek Map, Guide, and Rules and the Fossil Creek Road Closure Forest Order for information. Access this trail from Strawberry, Arizona. Fossil Creek cannot be accessed by car via this route.
Be aware that this is a canyon reservoir--meaning there is VERY LITTLE to NO shore access around the entire reservoir. This is not an ideal lake for sunbathing and swimming. See the Forest Order for information on maximum vehicle length, trailer length, swimming restrictions and more important information. NOTE: The boat ramp is currently closed to boat trailers due to low water level.
During summer, fall color, spring break, and other busy seasons, Call of the Canyon (West Fork Trailhead) parking fills up every day by 9:30 a.m., seven days per week. Have a backup plan for a different hike or day use area if the parking lot is full.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times, and owners must pick up after their pets. DO NOT leave bags of poop from your pets along the trail or trailhead at any time. If your pet defecates, you must bag the poop and take it with you--not leaving it for picking up later. If you do not want to do this, do not bring your pet on these trails.
Notes:
Pets must be on-leash.
Do not disturb cultural and archeology sites (Antiquitys Act - 1906).
No motorized vehicles on trail (Wilderness Act-1964).
No motorized equipment or mechanized vehicles (bicycles, strollers, etc.) in the Wild
Dogs must be on a leash at all times, and owners must pick up after their pets. DO NOT leave bags of poop from your pets along the trail or at the trailhead at any time. If your pet defecates, you must bag the poop and take it with you--not leaving it for picking up later. If you do not want to do this, do not bring your pet on this trail.
Fossil Creek Road Partial Closure: Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) is closed between Fossil Springs Trailhead (just west of Strawberry, AZ) and the Waterfall Trailhead (east of Fossil Creek Bridge) indefinitely. See the Fossil Creek Map, Guide, and Rules (gu�a en Espa�ol) and the Fossil Creek Road Closure Forest Order for information. Flume Trailhead (Irving parking lot) cannot be accessed from Strawberry.�
Concessionaire leaves for the season in October. Campground remains open with limited amenities until the road closes in the winter. Refer to Ashurst Lake Campgrounds for current conditions.
Campfires are restricted in all of these designated campsites year-round, as well as the surrounding area. Please reference Forest Order 03-04-19-19F for details.
Closed indefinitely to protect public health and align with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/safety for more information.
Closed indefinitely to protect public health and align with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/safety for more information.
The site may be closed in wet weather and thunderstorm conditions.
Notes: Camping/campfires within the first 3 miles of the trail is prohibited (see Forest Order 04-02-07-R for more details) Pets must be on-leash. Do not disturb cultural/archeology sites (Antiquitys Act 1906). No motorized vehicles in the wilderness.
Closed indefinitely to protect public health and align with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/safety for more information.
Available by telephone at 928-203-2900.
High clearance vehicles are recommended to reach the observation site from I-17. DO NOT attempt to drive up or down Schnebly Hill without a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Fossil Creek Road Partial Closure: Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) is closed between Fossil Springs Trailhead (just west of Strawberry, AZ) and the Waterfall Trailhead (east of Fossil Creek Bridge) indefinitely. See the Fossil Creek Map, Guide, and Rules (guía en Español) and the Fossil Creek Road Closure Forest Order for information. Flume Trailhead (Irving parking lot) cannot be accessed from Strawberry.
Note: Though this area may be marked "Open," you still should check the Flagstaff District Forest Roads Status page to ensure FR 222 and/or FR 171 are open for your vehicle to access the area. Otherwise, you must hike in.
The Flagstaff Ranger District encompasses nearly 850,000 acres of National Forest lands around the Flagstaff area, from Mormon Lake and Anderson Mesa to north of the San Francisco Peaks. At 12,633 feet, the San Francisco Peaks is not only the dominant feature of the forest area we call the Volcanic Highlands, it's also the highest mountain in Arizona. Three of the summits that ring this dormant volcano's now quiet inner caldera are higher than any other mountain in the state.
This mountain is sacred to the native peoples that live in the area and its soaring profile set against a blue Arizona sky serves as a source of awe to contemporary residents and visitors. Views from the summit of the San Francisco Peaks stretch to the Grand Canyon's North Rim over eighty miles away. Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife watching and skiing are the predominant recreation activities enjoyed in this land of mountains, forests and lava flows.
Flagstaff Ranger District, extends from north of the Peaks to the south. This rolling highland is a land of ponderosa pine forests and pinyon/juniper woodlands clustered around broad prairies and small lakes. Arizona's largest natural lake, Mormon Lake, is located here. The area is also known for its plentiful wildlife. Large herds of elk roam the forests and edgelands. Bald eagles and ospreys live and hunt around the lakes. Pronghorn antelope graze the prairies.
Principal recreation activities among the lakes and prairies are boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife watching. The area also boasts some excellent cross-country skiing in good snow years.
Eleven different OHV routes are highlighted within the Sedona area of the Red Rock Ranger District, ranging from Easy (dirt forest road) to Extreme Difficulty (4-wheel drive and high clearance necessary). Please keep in mind there is no operating a motor vehicle off an open and authorized road.
Get your camera ready for this one, and don't forget your swim suit, hiking shoes, and fishing pole. Just south of Flagstaff, Arizona State Route 89A descends a breathtaking series of switchbacks into a scenic, smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon. Known for colorful rocks and unique formations, Oak Creek Canyon is famous the world around for its spectacular scenery.
Before you drive into the canyon you'll want to stop at Oak Creek Canyon Vista. Here you can get a bird's eye view of what awaits you down the road and, at the same time, shop for Native American jewelry and other craft items from the local Native American artists who set up displays along the pathways.
Once you've snaked your way down the switchbacks, SR 89A winds a lazy course down the length of Oak Creek Canyon. It's actually possible to enjoy the scenery here without leaving your car, but most people choose to get to know these crimson cliffs and crystal pools on a more personal basis. For that purpose there are plenty of overlooks, picnic areas, swimming holes and hiking trails all along the drive. At Midgely Bridge, there's a vista point with an especially unforgettable backdrop where you'll want to stop and use that wide-angle lens.
As you leave Oak Creek Canyon and continue past Sedona through Red Rock Country, an observer with a sharp eye will recognize familiar shapes among the natural sculptures that form the horizon. Keep an eye out for Steam Boat Rock, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock and more.
You can continue down this scenic route to Interstate 17 and then back to Flagstaff, or you may want to turn around and do it all over again. If you're driving a high clearance vehicle, another way to complete the loop is to return to I-17 via the unpaved, rocky Schnebly Hill Road rather than State Route 179. The vistas along this rocky but rewarding backroad are as good, if not better, than any along the rest of the drive. A high clearance vehicle is highly recommended for this route. In winter months, the upper part of Schnebly Hill Road is closed above Schnebly Hill Vista (near the top of the ascent up Bear Wallow Canyon), and the unpaved portion may be completely closed during wet weather conditions. Check Road Status before attempting this alternative route.
The colorful collection of buttes, pinnacles, mesas and canyons surrounding Sedona is famous the world around for its red rock vistas. Over the years, this area has served as the setting of many western novels and movies and has been the subject of uncounted paintings, photographs and other works of art. The remains of ancient wetlands, these crimson cliffs have been carved by the forces of the desert into one of nature's most magnificent masterpieces.
No matter what you do in Red Rock Country, you're always sightseeing. Ways to get even closer to all this scenery include: hiking, horseback riding, taking a scenic drive, sliding down a natural waterslide, picnicking, camping, taking lots of photos and fishing in Oak Creek. The Red Rock District includes some 550,000 acres of magnificent splendor. Some areas require a pass to park, so be sure to check out the information about our Red Rock Pass Program.
The Mogollon Rim is a rugged escarpment that forms the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. It extends across the entire forest and provides excellent views within Plateau Country and Desert Canyon Country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Views stretch from its rocky precipice to Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix.
Needless to say, sightseeing is a favorite activity along the Rim, but this forest area also boasts a historic system of hiking and horseback trails, a couple of picturesque lakes for boating and fishing, and backcountry skiing for wilderness adventurers. The Mogollon Rim is home to Camp Colley, an outdoor adventure camp at Little Moqui, run by the City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation.
The photo above (see larger view) was taken by Mark Hickcox, Civil Engineer Tech on the Mogollon Rim District, from the Hutch Mountain Lookout Tower in the summer of 2011. It is looking south-east toward Long Lake.
Recreation activities for the Mogollon Rim District:
A primarily roadless and Wilderness hunt area designated to help restore aspen, in particular young aspen sprouts that are browsed upon by elk and deer. It’s ideal for those seeking a unique and challenging hunt on foot or horseback.
The Coconino National Forest and Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) teamed-up to create this new AZGFD sub-unit. The Peaks Hunt is Game Management Unit 11M and was first established in 2011. It has since become a popular hunt with above average success even though it is listed as a “Limited Opportunity” hunt area.
The unit includes the San Francisco Peaks and Hart Prairie – some of the most scenic areas on the forest and the highest elevation in Arizona. The 1996 Hochderffer Fire (pictured here) and 2010 Schultz Fire burn scars are also within the unit boundary.
A primarily roadless and Wilderness hunt area designated to help restore aspen, in particular young aspen sprouts that are browsed upon by elk and deer. It’s ideal for those seeking a unique and challenging hunt on foot or horseback. 
