Rim Lakes Recreation Area and Forest Road 300 now open

FR9350 dispersed campground along Forest Road 300

Springerville, AZ; April 3, 2014— The Rim Lakes Recreation Area and Forest Road 300 (Rim Road), located on the Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) is open. Visitors can now access the entire Rim Lakes Recreation Area including Bear Canyon Lake and many popular primitive dispersed campgrounds that have been inaccessible due to snow and seasonal closures.

Developed campgrounds and RV dump stations will remain closed until Friday, May 2, 2014. No water or developed facilities are available in primitive dispersed areas and campers are reminded the Apache-Sitgreaves is a ‘Pack-it-In, Pack-it-Out’ forest. We ask that visitors be considerate of others by maintaining a clean campsite during their stay and removing all evidence of their visit when departing. Leaving trash in the forest is illegal, unsightly, and can be deadly to wildlife.

Although the Rim has experienced a mild winter thus far, it is not unusual to have significant snowfall through the month of April and into May. Forest visitors should come prepared for changing weather conditions. Check the weather forecast before leaving home, and tell friends and family where you plan to visit and when you plan to return home.  Roads may be muddy and impassable at any time of the year and four wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Carry extra clothing, blankets, food, water, and a cell phone. Even when road surfaces are dry, shoulders and dispersed campsites may still be saturated and muddy. Please check ground conditions before leaving developed roads and avoid creating ruts and other resource damage.

If you start a campfire, it must be attended at all times. Unattended campfires have the potential to start wildfires. Leaving a campfire unattended is not only dangerous, it is illegal and you may be fined. Additionally, if you cause a wildfire, you may be charged suppression costs. High winds increase the risk of fires escaping. Consider this risk when you decide whether or not to build a campfire. If you choose to build a campfire, use existing fire rings in developed campsites. When camping outside of a developed area, use rocks to create a fire ring and clear all burnable materials within a ten foot radius. When you leave, make sure your campfire is ‘DEAD OUT’ by drowning it with water and stirring with a shovel.  

For current fire information, red flags warnings, and fire restrictions, visit www.311info.net, dial 311 or call (928) 333-3412.