Tonto National Forest

Activities:

Backpacking

Biking

Boating

Camping

Canoeing

Climbing

Fishing

Hiking

Horse Back Riding

Hunting

Kayaking

Water-Skiing

Welcome to the 5th largest National Forest in the United States, Arizona's Tonto National Forest, an oasis of desert and high mountains ranging from as low as 1,300 feet ASL to as high as 7,900 feet ASL. Aside from being the 5th largest it is also one of the most visited urban National Forests in the United States with nearly six million visitors per year.

Forest History: Before this land belonged to Uncle Sam much of it was mined for silver, gold, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, manganese, asbestos, mercury, and many other minerals for over a century and a half. The Tonto National Forest was established in 1905 with the primary goal of protecting the region's watersheds which include six major reservoirs with the combined capacity to store over 2 million acre feet of water. If it was not for the Tonto National Forest, the City of Phoenix may not have grown to the size it is today.

Wildlife: The Tonto National Forest helps protect the home of numerous wild critters including coyotes, bears, foxes, deer, raccoons, squirrels, and bald eagles. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Tonto National Forest boasts over 900 miles of trails, six large reservoirs, and so much more. Come on out and have a blast!