Rim Lakes Recreation Area and Forest Service Road 300 opens March 26

March 25, 2015

Courtesy Apache Sitgreaves National Forest

The Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) plans to open the Rim Lakes Recreation Area, which includes Forest Road 300 (the Rim Road) and all adjacent roads on Thursday, March 26. Opening these forest roads allows access to Woods Canyon, Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina, and Bear Canyon Lake on the ASNFs and Knoll Lake on the Coconino National Forest.

Motorists should be aware that snow and mud are still present. Caution should be taken when traveling in the area to avoid vehicles being stuck or resource damage.

Developed campgrounds will remain closed until approximately May 1, 2015, but dispersed camping opportunities are available across the district. No water or developed facilities are available in these dispersed areas.

As summer approaches, temperatures rise, the forest dries out, and the smallest spark can quickly become a wildfire. Over 90 percent of wildfires are started by a careless human act. Forest visitors should have a plan for extinguishing a campfire. Do not start a fire if you don’t have the necessary equipment for extinguishing it. The average campfire requires 5 to10 gallons of water and a shovel to completely extinguish. 

Be prepared and plan ahead. Visitors are asked to double-check all of their motorized equipment to make sure spark arrestors (a mechanical device that traps or destroys hot exhaust particles), are functioning properly. Be mindful when pulling off developed roads as a hot vehicle can quickly ignite dry grass. Human caused fires can be prevented with a little bit of planning and effort.