Temporary Tonto National Forest Closures

Tonto National Forest officials have announced two temporary closure areas. One includes the area in and around the Fossil Creek Wilderness. The other  includes the Mt. Ord, Four Peaks and Three Bar Wildlife Area.

The closures are the result of  public safety concerns due to drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger.

The area closures are within the following boundaries:

1.       All National Forest System Lands, roads and trails described as follows: Beginning at Forest  Road 708 at the Fossil Springs Trailhead thence proceeding southeasterly along the power line corridor following the Mazatzal Wilderness Boundary; thence easterly along the power line corridor  to  the junction of Forest Trail 540 (FT540); thence easterly and southeasterly along the power line corridor to the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park; thence easterly along  Forest System Road 583 to State Highway 87; thence southerly following  State Highway 87 to the Intersection with State Highway 260;  thence easterly along State Highway 260 to the junction of the Colcord Road (Forest Road 291); thence easterly and southerly along FR 291 to Forest Road 512; thence northerly along FR 512 to the Forest boundary at the top of the Mogollon Rim; thence westerly along the Mogollon Rim and Tonto National Forest Boundary to the Fossil Springs Trailhead at Forest Road 708. 

2.       All National Forest System Lands, roads and trails within the Mt Ord, Four Peaks and Three Bar Wildlife Area, more specifically described as follows: bounded by Highway 87 on the west beginning at the intersection with Forest System Road 143; thence northerly along the eastern edge of State Highway 87 to the intersection with State Highway 188; thence southerly along the western edge of Highway 188 to the Salt River corridor; thence westerly along the north side of the Salt river corridor including the north shores of Apache Lake, Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake to Cottonwood Creek; thence northerly along Cottonwood creek to the intersection with Forest System Road 401; continuing northerly on Forest System Road 401 to the intersection with Forest System Road 143; thence westerly on Forest System Road 143 terminating at the intersection with State Highway 87.

Forest System Road 583 from State Highway 87 will remain open for access to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. State Highways 87, 260 and 188 are open.

All fireworks are prohibited in the forest at all times. Under  current restrictions, target-shooting is prohibited throughout the forest.

For statewide road conditions and closures visit www.az511.gov or dial 5-1-1 on your telephone. From outside Arizona, dial 1-888-411-ROAD (7623) or 602-523-0244. 

For more information about forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.