New Red Rock Pass area changes begin

Sedona, AZ – New changes to the Red Rock Pass Program area become effective February 1, 2012. As a result, the public will see fewer areas where a Red Rock Pass is required. Our new Red Rock Country Recreation Guide and trail maps will also be available February 1 to provide more information about local recreation opportunities, or online at www.redrockcountry.org.

In addition, the Forest Service is bringing back the Grand Annual Pass. This pass covers the Red Rock Pass area and entrance into several popular concession managed sites: Call of the Canyon, Grasshopper Point and Crescent Moon Ranch. This pass is being offered in cooperation with Recreation Resource Management who operates and maintains these sites under contract with the Forest Service. The Grand Annual Pass can be purchased at either the Sedona Chamber in Uptown Sedona or at our Red Rock Visitor Center.

The new Red Rock Pass fee area includes two major travel corridors and seven stand alone recreation sites. Included at these fee sites are the 6 standard amenity services including: restrooms, picnic tables, garbage receptacles, parking, signing and patrol.

Specifically, the new designated fee area includes: a several mile corridor along State Route 89A, beginning at Midgely Bridge and extending north to Bootlegger day use area in Oak Creek Canyon; and secondly, the State Route 179 corridor beginning at Bell Rock Vista & Pathway and extending north past Back O' Beyond Road. These corridors include: the Huckaby Trailhead, Encinoso, Bootlegger, Banjo Bill and Halfway day use areas in Oak Creek Canyon; and Cathedral Rock, Little Horse, Courthouse Butte, Yavapai Vista, and Bell Rock Vista Trailheads along SR 179. Other individual sites include: Honanki, Palatki and V-V Heritage Sites, and Doe/Bear Mountain, Boynton Canyon, Baldwin and Jim Thompson Trailheads.

The Daily Red Rock Pass remains at $5, Weekly Pass at $15, Annual Pass at $20, and the new Grand Annual Pass is available for $40. Passes are available for purchase at several Forest Service locations, the Sedona Chamber Visitor Center and various Sedona businesses.

For more information, please contact the Red Rock Ranger District located one mile south of the Village of Oak Creek or call (928) 203-7500.

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May 28, 2011

SoFA Staff

Forest Campsites Are First Come

Flagstaff, Arizona - Coconino National Forest officials are re-iterating that "homesteading" open access campsites is illegal under Federal law. Violators can be fined or their illegally placed property seized.

The Coconino National Forest's website provides this information

Can I reserve a campsite by parking a vehicle, placing a tent or other personal property on the forest in advance of occupying the site?

No, vehicles, personal property or other objects including tents left on the forest for the purpose of reserving a campsite or storing property is in violation of Title 36CFR 261.10(f)"Placing a vehicle or other object in such a manner that is an impediment or hazard to the safety or convenience of any person" The violation is a Class B Misdemeanor with a fine of $250. In addition leaving property unattended for 72-hours is considered abandon property under Title 36 261.10(e) "Abandoning personal property". Fine is $250 for a vehicle or structure and $100 for other objects. Vehicles and other personal property left unattended over 72-hours may be impounded by the Forest Service

Forest Officers experience increase violations during busy Holiday weekends and during the hunting season. To avoid a citation and/or impounding of your personal property do not leave property unattended in the forest.

Sedona's Red Rock Country camping is spectacular. The scenery, the mild temperatures, and the available activities and amenities make this area a "must experience." Sedona, the nearby Forest Service facilities and commercial RV camps are at approximately 4400 feet in elevation.

The Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a great example. The Park is located along the Verde River just outside the city of Cottonwood. Day use picnicking, biking, fishing, and canoeing the lagoons fed by the nearby river are popular activities in the park. Hiking and observing nature in this unique riparian environment are also available. The 3300 foot elevation of the park makes it an ideal location year round.

These South of Flagstaff campgrounds make it very convenient for visitors to use and enjoy the local fishing, hiking, cool weather, and relaxing.

Another good thing about camping in the National Forest... you don't always have to camp in an established campground. During most of the year remote, dispersed camping is allowed and even encouraged.

Dispersed camping is a fancy name for finding a spot you like and just camping in the woods.

The Coconino National Forest website offers a lot of great information about their South of Flagstaff campgrounds.

Be sure to visit their website. Here are the links again for your convenience...

Wherever you camp, you're sure to enjoy the cool days and nights you spend here. Sample several campgrounds and pick your own favorites.

My two favorite South of Flagstaff campgrounds are Ashurst (by the lake) and Cave Springs along Oak Creek. The campground at Ashurst is a little primitive, but it's right on the lake.

If you require a more civilized campground, it's hard to beat the Pine Grove Campground, located on Lake Mary Road across from the Ashurst Lake road turnoff.

Coconino County Parks operates a camping facility at Ft. Tuthill that is convenient to events at the Fairgrounds.

Many of the higher elevation campgrounds are closed during the winter months due to anticipated access difficulties and deep snow. See the News Releases Page for winter closure notices.

A quick Google search for keyword phrases such as private campgrounds + flagstaff or sedona rv camping will give you additional resources and ads.

South of Flagstaff Campgrounds

New Red Rock Pass area changes begin

Forest Campsites Are First Come