Big Idea

• Recreation officials will be closing areas along Hwy 260 and Salt Mine Road to camping for 2 years
• Dispersed camping in the area and high use have created significant resource damage
• There are 3 restricted areas in total
• Read more...

PRESCOTT, AZ, January 6, 2021 - Recreation Officials on the Verde Ranger District will implement a special “Camping Closure” for areas along Highway 260 and Salt Mine Road for 2-years starting on January 7, 2021.  Over the past few years, dispersed camping in these areas and high use has caused significant resource damage to soil and water quality; as well as abandoned property, trash, and sanitation issues creating an unsafe environment for other forest users and continued resource degradation. 

In order to address these issues on the Verde Ranger District, Forest Officials are issuing a 2-year temporary closure to include the following 3 Restricted Areas:

Restricted Area 1 includes all National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails within one and half miles terminating at the Forest Boundary (Verde River) east of Highway 260, Salt Mine Road, and NFS Road 574, beginning at the intersection of Highway 260 and Prairie Lane in Cottonwood, AZ, then following southeast to Salt Mine road, then following Salt Mine Road west and south to its junction with NFS Road 574, then following NFS Road 574 south to a point 1 mile south of its intersection with NFS Road 334 in Camp Verde, AZ, then following east to the Beasley Flats Day Use Area at the Verde River (Verde District Boundary).

Restricted Area 2 includes all NFS lands, roads, and trails within 4.5 miles west of Highway 260, beginning at West Mingus Avenue in Cottonwood, AZ, following southeast to Interstate 17.

Restricted Area 3 includes all NFS lands, roads, and trails within 3.0 miles west of Highway 260, beginning at the intersection of Highway 60 and Interstate 17, then following southeast to Salt Mine road, then following Salt Mine Road southeast to its intersection with NFS Road 574, then following NFS Road 574 south to a point 1 mile south of the intersection of NFS Road 574 with FR334 in Camp Verde, AZ.

Over the next two years the district will be analyzing current dispersed camping corridors, areas of overuse and look at the long-term management of these areas. This process will provide opportunity for public involvement and input. 

The closure order and map can be viewed online at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/prescott/notices/?cid=FSEPRD872589.

For more information contact the Verde Ranger District at 928-567-4121.

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