The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public feedback on managing five popular recreation destinations across the Coronado National Forest, located 1½ to three hours from central ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Feedback will be accepted until May 30 at .
The site has an interactive map for offering specific comments on areas including a lake, a rock climbing haven, and three mountain ranges higher than 9,000 feet for climatic relief. They are:
— This 50-acre lake in Pena Blanca Canyon, about an hour and 25 minutes from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, offers boat launch, fishing docks and small campground near Nogales off Intersate-19.
The , about an hour and a half away, rise above Sierra Vista. These forested mountains up to 9,000 feet include the southern end of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Trail along the crest; Ramsey Canyon Preserve with unique diversity of plants and animals; Carr Canyon with a historic visitor center, high elevation picnic sites and camping; Brown Canyon with a historic ranch; and several other canyons with trailheads into Miller Peak Wilderness.
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, also about an hour and a half away, is a unique rocky area in the Dragoon Mountains with rental cabins and developed camping on the east side and more primitive camping opportunities on the west side. The area is popular with hikers, campers, scramblers and rock climbers.
The soar above 9,000 feet, offering campgrounds, a visitor center, trails and rentable cabins. Forest Service Road 42 provides access to high country via Rustler Park Campground, which also accesses Crest Trail into the heart of the Chiricahua wilderness. Drive time is two hours and 15 minutes to West Turkey Creek; two hours and 40 minutes to Cave Creek Canyon near Portal.
About two to three hours from central ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, you’ll find . The historic Swift Trail leads from Safford to forested high country with a visitor center, campgrounds and a system of high elevation trails in the highest of the Sky Islands at 10,720 feet. Closer to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Highway 266 leads to woodland camping and trails ascending the mountain.
The Forest Service is hosting in-person open houses at ranger district offices from 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 711 14th Ave., Suite D, in Safford; April 30, 4070 S. Avenida Saracino, in Hereford; and May 1, 303 Old ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Road, in Nogales.
For more information, visit or email Mailroom_R3_Coronado@usda.gov.
The Mount Lemmon Lodge is open after more than two years of construction. Photos by Mamta Popat / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
