Tonto National Forest is a sprawling expanse of diverse landscapes in central Arizona, encompassing rugged mountains, desert terrain, and scenic waterways. - National Forest Official Website
Details
Tonto National Forest
Location: Tonto National Forest is located in central Arizona, encompassing over 2.9 million acres of diverse landscape.
Features: The forest is characterized by rugged mountains, deep canyons, and desert basins. It is home to several major rivers, including the Salt River, Verde River, and Tonto Creek. The forest also contains several lakes and reservoirs, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities.
Ecological Significance: Tonto National Forest is known for its diverse plant and animal species. The forest supports a variety of habitats, including pine forests, saguaro cactus forests, and riparian areas. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles, and javelinas.
Recreational Activities: The forest offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, horseback riding, and off-roading. There are numerous trails and campgrounds throughout the forest, providing opportunities for visitors to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Cultural Heritage: Tonto National Forest is home to several archaeological sites, including ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs. These sites provide insight into the history and culture of the Native American tribes that have inhabited the area for thousands of years.
Tonto National Forest
Points of Interest
Tonto National Forest Points of Interest
Superstition Mountains: Known for their rugged beauty and legendary tales of lost gold, the Superstition Mountains are a popular destination for hikers, rock climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Salt River: The Salt River runs through the Tonto National Forest and offers opportunities for kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The river is also home to wild horses that can often be seen grazing along its banks.
Horton Creek Trail: This popular hiking trail leads to a picturesque waterfall and offers stunning views of the surrounding forest. The trail is known for its diverse plant and animal life, including wildflowers and deer.
Roosevelt Lake: One of the largest reservoirs in Arizona, Roosevelt Lake is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and camping. The lake is surrounded by scenic mountains and offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
Four Peaks Wilderness: This designated wilderness area is known for its rugged terrain, diverse plant life, and stunning views of the Four Peaks mountain range. Popular activities in the area include hiking, camping, and horseback riding.
Tonto National Forest – Images
Image by Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. 7/1/1905 – Public domain – Wikimedia
Image by Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. 7/1/1905 – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Apache Lake, Arizona, USA
Image by Bernard Gagnon – CC BY-SA 3.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Butcher Jones Trail, Tonto National Forest, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264, USA
Description: Last year after the Bush Fire, Jarred McFarlin of AZ Game and Fish checked the catchment located on top of Peters Mountain and found the holding tank and trough survived but most of the pipe leading to it was destroyed. The catchment collects rainwater to sustain wildlife on the forest. This past Wednesday, Edna, an official Forest Service mule, carried all the necessary tools along with 400 feet of polyethylene pipe to the top of Peters Mountain. She was accompanied by her handler Jarrod McFarlin, Austin Jacobson (USFS) and AZ Game and Fish volunteers Roger Rohrbach and Keith Kniver. It takes a fair amount of effort to reach the top of Peters. Once on top, the crew found approximately 10 inches of water in the holding tank. The burnt pipe was replaced with a new section of pipe. With a little trial and error, the crew had water filling the trough again. What a beautiful sight! Thanks to the crew and supporters Jim Lawrence and Noah Sarnowski for making this repair possible. #TontoNF
Image by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Last year after the Bush Fire, Jarred McFarlin of AZ Game and Fish checked the catchment located on top of Peters Mountain and found the holding tank and trough survived but most of the pipe leading to it was destroyed. The catchment collects rainwater to sustain wildlife on the forest. This past Wednesday, Edna, an official Forest Service mule, carried all the necessary tools along with 400 feet of polyethylene pipe to the top of Peters Mountain. She was accompanied by her handler Jarrod McFarlin, Austin Jacobson (USFS) and AZ Game and Fish volunteers Roger Rohrbach and Keith Kniver. It takes a fair amount of effort to reach the top of Peters. Once on top, the crew found approximately 10 inches of water in the holding tank. The burnt pipe was replaced with a new section of pipe. With a little trial and error, the crew had water filling the trough again. What a beautiful sight! Thanks to the crew and supporters Jim Lawrence and Noah Sarnowski for making this repair possible. #TontoNF
Image by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Tonto Creek in Arizona just after Horton Creek joins with Tonto Creek.
Image by Richard N Horne – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Wikimedia
Description: View from Mt Pinter, Tonto National Forest, Arizona