Prescott National Forest
Encyclopedia
The Prescott National Forest is a 1.25 million acre (5,100 km2) United States
National Forest located in north central Arizona
in the vicinity of Prescott
. The forest is located in the mountains southwest of Flagstaff
and north of Phoenix
in Yavapai County
, with a small portion (about 3.5 percent) extending into southwestern Coconino County
. Its administrative offices are in Prescott. There are local ranger
district offices in Camp Verde
, Chino Valley
, and Prescott. The forest includes Lynx Creek where Sam Miller
panned for gold and was wounded by a cougar.
* Pricing and Open Season information current as of Monday, 3 December 2007 at 18:27:06 EST; please refer to the official Forest Service website for up-to-date information as it is subject to change.
on May 10, 1898. It was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1906 and became a National Forest on March 4, 1907. On July 1, 1908 it absorbed Verde National Forest
, and on October 22, 1934 it absorbed Tusayan National Forest
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Forest located in north central Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
in the vicinity of Prescott
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. It was designated "Arizona's Christmas City" by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in the late 1980s....
. The forest is located in the mountains southwest of Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
and north of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
in Yavapai County
Yavapai County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*89.3% White*0.6% Black*1.7% Native American*0.8% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*5.0% Other races*13.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, with a small portion (about 3.5 percent) extending into southwestern Coconino County
Coconino County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*61.7% White*1.2% Black*27.3% Native American*1.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*5.2% Other races*13.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. Its administrative offices are in Prescott. There are local ranger
National Park Ranger
National Park Service Rangers are among the uniformed employees charged with protecting and preserving areas set aside in the National Park System by the United States Congress and/or the President of the United States...
district offices in Camp Verde
Camp Verde, Arizona
Camp Verde is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 10,610....
, Chino Valley
Chino Valley, Arizona
Chino Valley is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to the Census Bureau, the population of the town is 10,817.-Geography:...
, and Prescott. The forest includes Lynx Creek where Sam Miller
Sam Miller
Sam Miller is an English television director. He is best known for his work on the BBC television dramas Cardiac Arrest and This Life. -Filmography:-Actor - Filmography:...
panned for gold and was wounded by a cougar.
Wilderness
There are eight designated wilderness areas comprising more than 104000 acres (421 km²), located entirely or partially within the Prescott National Forest. These are:- Apache Creek WildernessApache Creek WildernessApache Creek Wilderness is a wilderness area under the jurisdiction of the Chino Valley District of the Prescott National Forest in the U.S. state of Arizona. Established in 1984, the Wilderness contains rolling hills of juniper and pinyon pine, outcroppings of granite, three natural springs, and...
(Chino Valley District) - Castle Creek Wilderness (Bradshaw District)
- Cedar Bench Wilderness (Verde District)
- Granite Mountain Wilderness (Bradshaw District)
- Juniper Mesa Wilderness (Chino Valley District)
- Pine Mountain Wilderness (Verde District)
- Sycamore Canyon Wilderness (Chino Valley District)
- Woodchute Wilderness (Verde District)
Campgrounds
The following table(s) display all public campgrounds within the Prescott National Forest.Dispersed Campsites
Dispersed Campsites are undeveloped and no facilities such as trash collection, water and toilets are available. Recommended for experienced campers.| Campsite Locations | Number of Campsites | Campsite Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| FDR 23 - Enchanted Forest Road | 11 | 1 - 11 |
| FDR 30 - Bannie Mine Road | 13 | 1 - 13 |
| C 56 - Senator Highway | 7 | 1 - 7 |
| FDR 79 - Tritle Mountain Road | 16 | 1 - 16 |
| FDR 80 - Sundance Road | 6 | 1 - 6 |
| FDR 9406L - Pipeline Road | 5 | 1 - 5 |
| C 101 - Groom Creek Cut Off Road | 14 | 1 - 14 |
| FDR 64 - Marapai Road | 7 | 1 - 7 |
| C64 - Copper Basin Road | 5 | 1 - 5 |
| FDR 51 - Pott's Creek | 8 | 1 - 8 |
Family Campgrounds
Developed campsites designed to accommodate families of 5-10 (maximum) per site.| Campground | District | Elevation | Open Season | Sites | Fee | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alto Pit OHV Campground | Bradshaw | 6,200 | All Year | 11 | $10 Single $20 Double $3 Day Use |
Overnight Camping and Day Use |
| Groom Creek Horse Camp | Bradshaw | 6,000 | 05/01 - 10/31 | 36 | $10 | Equestrian campground (horse required), trail access, drinking water, 12 corrals, 2 group sites |
| Hazlett Hollow | Bradshaw | 6,000 | 05/01 - 10/01 | 15 | $6 | Hiking, remote area, drinking water |
| Hilltop | Bradshaw | 5,800 | 03/30 - 10/31 | 38 | $18 | Hiking, fishing, gold panning, drinking water |
| Lower Wolf Creek | Bradshaw | 6,000 | 05/01 - 10/31 | 20 | $6 | Hiking, no drinking water |
| Lynx Lake | Bradshaw | 5,600 | 03/30-10/31 | 36 | $18 | Lake, boating, fishing, gold panning, hiking, drinking water, no swimming |
| Mingus Mountain (Black Hills) |
Verde | 7,600 | 05/01 - 10/31 | 25 | $6 | Loop B 6 sites($6.00), Loop E 19 RV sites ($6..00), hiking, scenic views, no drinking water |
| Potato Patch | Verde | 7,000 | 05/01 - 10/31 | 40 | $10/$15 | Loop A 28 sites($10.00), Loop B 12 RV sites($15.00), hiking, close to wilderness, drinking water |
| Powell Springs | Verde | 5,300 | All year | 10 | $6 | No drinking water |
| White Spar | Bradshaw | 5,700 | All year | 60 | $10 | Drinking water, 11 sites open all year |
| Yavapai | Bradshaw | 5,600 | All year | 25 | $10 | Hiking, drinking water, near Granite Lake |
* Pricing and Open Season information current as of Monday, 3 December 2007 at 18:27:06 EST; please refer to the official Forest Service website for up-to-date information as it is subject to change.
History
The Prescott Forest Reserve was established by the General Land OfficeGeneral Land Office
The General Land Office was an independent agency of the United States government responsible for public domain lands in the United States. It was created in 1812 to take over functions previously conducted by the United States Department of the Treasury...
on May 10, 1898. It was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1906 and became a National Forest on March 4, 1907. On July 1, 1908 it absorbed Verde National Forest
Verde National Forest
Verde National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona on December 30, 1907 with . On July 1, 1908 the forest was combined with Prescott National Forest and the name was discontinued. -External links:*...
, and on October 22, 1934 it absorbed Tusayan National Forest
Tusayan National Forest
Tusayan National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona on July 1, 1910 with from part of Coconino National Forest and other lands. On October 22, 1934 the entire forest was transferred to Prescott National Forest and the name was discontinued. -External links:** Text from...
.