Prescott National Forest, USDA Forest Service

Welcome

All Prescott National Forest Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Prescott National Forest Offices close to observe all major holidays.

FOREST SUPERVISOR: Alan Quan

Comprised of about 1.25 million acres, the Prescott borders three other National Forests in Arizona: Kaibab, Coconino, and Tonto. Roughly half of the forest lies west of the city of Prescott, Arizona, in the Juniper, Santa Maria, Sierra Prieta, and Bradshaw Mountains. The other half of the Forest lies east of Prescott and takes in the Black Hills, Mingus Mountain, Black Mesa, and the headwaters of the Verde River.

Portions of the Prescott National Forest today are much the same are they were when Sam Miller panned for gold in Lynx Creek and was wounded by a cougar, or when General Crook's flag fluttered over Palace Station.

At the lowest elevation, the primary vegetation is of the Sonoran Desert type. As the elevation rises, chaparral becomes common, followed by piñon pine and juniper. Above that, Ponderosa pine dominates the landscape.

Bradshaw Vegetation Management Treatment Project

The Bradshaw Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Bradshaw Vegetation Management Treatment for public review and comment... (MORE)

Travel Management & Motor Vehicle Use Maps

Go to the Travel Management & Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Prescott National Forest

Verde River Guide

In 1984 the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act established the portion of the Verde River from Beasley Flat downstream to the confluence with Red Creek, as Arizona's only Wild and Scenic River. While it may appear calm at many of the river access points, the large number of wrecked canoes that have been removed from the Verde River testify to the fact that is has its share of hazards. Please plan ahead, be prepared, and practice Leave No Trace ethics to leave the Verde just as you find it for those who come after.

View the Verde River Guide (7,928 KB PDF)

[GRAPHIC LINK: Click for Forest Plan Revision Information - Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan]

Revision of Land and Resource Management Plan

The current Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan was approved in 1987 and has been amended 17 times. We would like the revised plan to address the unique roles and contributions of our Forest and define the desired conditions and management objectives specific to us. (MORE)

[PHOTOS: Sample Before and After Pictures of a Prescribe Burn]

Prescribed Burn

After 100 years of actively suppressing fire in our national forests, the clinical report is in. Our forests are unhealthy and the prescription for getting them back to a healthy state is -- fire. (MORE)

Prescott National Forest