Paved Portion of Forest Roads 300 and 105 open March 20

From the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest - Black Mesa Ranger District

Springerville, AZ; March 18, 2014—The Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plans to open the paved portion of Forest Roads 300 and 105, access to Woods Canyon Lake and the Store on Thursday, March 20, 2014. At this time visitation to the Woods Canyon Lake Area will be for day-use only.

Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina will open to visitors but all developed campgrounds across the district will remain closed until May 1, 2014. However, visitors wishing to camp may do so along Forest Road 171, located 3 ½ miles southeast of Woods Canyon Lake, behind the Mogollon Rim Visitor’s Center.  Other areas open for dispersed camping include: Larson Ridge on Forest Road 237 directly west of Forest Lakes; Forest Road 300, east of Forest Lakes in the Black Canyon Lake area; and Forest Road 122. No water or developed facilities are available in these 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.

The gravel portion of Forest Road 300 beyond Woods Canyon Lake will remain closed until Friday, March 28 to allow road crews to complete a significant reconstruction project. This ongoing construction project is being done to provide a higher quality road surface for users throughout the 2014 recreation season.

Forest visitors should come prepared for changing weather conditions. 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.