The Future of Recreation in the Sky Islands
An Interactive Public Comment Tool
Share your perspective with us on the successes, concerns, and opportunities for five locations on the Coronado National Forest. Feedback will be accepted through May 30, 2024.
Introduction
The Coronado National Forest works to provide outstanding recreational experiences while balancing the multiple use values of the land. In this interactive map, we ask for your input about selected areas around the Forest: Peña Blanca Lake, the Huachuca Mountains, Cochise Stronghold, Chiricahua Mountains, and Mount Graham.
How can we improve or maintain recreation experiences in these places? We want to hear your perspective on the successes, concerns, and opportunities for each distinctive place.
We will use your feedback to set priorities for day-to-day management, as well as planning projects for the future.
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Your Feedback
The Coronado National Forest spans sixteen scattered mountain ranges or "sky islands" that rise dramatically from the desert floor. Recreation opportunities range from wilderness backpacking to lakeside picnicking. The Forest hosts over 2.3 million visitors each year. It is also an important place for 12 federally recognized Native American Tribes with an ancestral and current connection to the landscape.
The interactive map below will allow you to share feedback about what you value, what is working well, what concerns you might have, and what ideas you have for the future. You can also submit comments via email to Mailroom_R3_Coronado@usda.gov
Your feedback can relate to any part of outdoor recreation management including camping, trails, visitor services, interpretation, use regulations or wilderness stewardship.
Consider sharing feedback like “the recent site improvement project has helped with parking” or “this location could use better wayfinding” or “a trail connecting to this campground would be a helpful addition”.
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Area Descriptions
Feedback will be accepted during a 65 day period from March 25 to May 30.
Zoom in to see more detail by clicking the + sign on the map or clicking the name of the area below.
- This medium-sized lake fills nearly 50 acres of Peña Blanca Canyon in the foothills of the Atascosa and Pajarito Mountains is located on the Nogales Ranger District. It is surrounded by grassy, oak-dotted hills. The recreation area offers a boat launch, floating fishing docks, a small campground and picnic areas.
- Rising abruptly above Sierra Vista, these steep forested mountains offer several canyons each with a distinct character. Carr Canyon offers picnic sites and high elevation camping, while Brown Canyon features a historic ranch. Others including Miller, Ash and Hunter canyons are outstanding entry points for the Miller Peak Wilderness.
- Granite domes, stunning trails, and ample camping opportunities make this rocky wonderland on the Douglas Ranger District, rich with history, a fascinating day or overnight recreation destination. The eastern side offers developed camping and two rentable cabins, while the less developed west side offers dispersed opportunities. Both are renowned with rock climbers.
- The colorful cliffs and cool creek of this majestic canyon, nestled at 5,000 feet on the eastern slopes of the Chiricahua Mountains, invite you to experience the amazing beauty and biological diversity any time of year. Campgrounds, a visitor center, trails, and rentable cabins are highlights. Forest Service Road #42 provides access to the high country including Rustler Park Campgrounds as well as popular dispersed camping spots in Pinery Canyon.
- The Swift Trail leads up the slopes of the Pinaleño Mountains to the forested high country in the Gila Valley’s backyard, while Highway 266 and other routes to lead to low deserts and woodlands. Mount Graham is the highest of the sky islands on the Coronado National Forest; it is part of the Safford Ranger District.
Management Framework
What guides recreation management on National Forests?
There is a wide foundation of laws, regulations and polices that guide recreation and trail management planning on National Forest System (NFS) lands. Other documents provide strategic guidance. Key sources of guidance include:
Coronado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan , 2018 - This plan (referred to as the “forest plan”) provides formal guidance for management of the Coronado National Forest.
Wilderness Act of 1964 - The Wilderness Act of 1964 defines wilderness as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”
Handbooks and Manuals - The Forest Service created policy for local Ranger Districts to follow based on laws and regulations.
Continue scrolling to provide feedback on the following map
CLICK in the grey area to the right, then click again on the icon above "Proceed as Guest"
To submit a comment, click "Submit a Comment" and select a category: Values; Successes; Concerns; or Opportunities. You can submit as many comments as you like. For more information on the four different comment categories keep scrolling through the StoryMap.
What Do You Value?
What do you value about these parts of the Forest?
Consider sharing feedback like:
- Recreation experiences you care about
- Connections that you and your friends and family have to this place
- Cultural and historical sites that are important to you
- Natural resources, sights, and sounds you care about
Successes
What is working well?
Each of these areas is used by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Many projects and programs have been completed by the Forest Service, partners, and volunteers. Tell us what is working well.
Consider sharing feedback like:
- A particular project that has made a trail or site more sustainable or enjoyable
- A road or trailhead project that helps you access the forest
- A program or service you appreciate
- Efforts from a Forest Service partner
Concerns
What problems or concerns are there?
Tell us what concerns you have as a visitor to certain areas.
Consider sharing feedback like:
- Trail or site condition issues
- Impacts to natural and cultural resources
- Recreation experiences that you wish were available
- Where you might experience conflict between users
Opportunities
What opportunities do you see?
Tell us how to improve our management or suggest a new project.
Consider sharing feedback like:
- Trail re-alignments or new connections
- Changes and improvements to recreation facilities, parking, and public access
- Education and outreach programs
Left and Center - Volunteers with the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists completing trail work and mountain biking in the Pinaleño Mountains - Courtesy Photos by Nat Gordon, Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists | Right - Trail stewards with Wild Arizona restoring trails in the Pinaleño Mountains - Courtesy Photo by Wild Arizona
Next Steps
The Forest Service simply can’t do as much without the help of partners, volunteers, and users. The Coronado National Forest values important partnerships with organizations such as the Friends of Huachuca Mountains, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists, Climbing Association of Southern Arizona, and the National Forest Foundation.
What’s Next?
After the comment period closes on May 30, our planning team will:
- Review the feedback we receive, summarize it, and share the results
- Use the feedback to identify which areas need focused planning
- Potentially convene public and partner discussions
- If projects are identified, complete the required planning, design, and environmental analysis
Thank you for providing your input to the Coronado National Forest!
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