About the Area - Local Links

Aerial image of Coconino NF

One of six National Forests in Arizona, the Coconino National Forest comprises 1.856-million acres in northern Arizona, with elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (Humphrey's Peak).

Originally established in 1898 as the "San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve,” the area was officially designated a National Forest by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt on July 2, 1908 when the San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve was merged with lands from other surrounding forest reserves to create the Coconino National Forest.

Today, the Coconino National Forest contains diverse landscapes, including deserts, ponderosa pine forests, flatlands, mesas, alpine tundra, and ancient volcanic peaks. The forest surrounds the towns of Sedona and Flagstaff and borders four other national forests; the Kaibab National Forest to the west and northwest, the Prescott National Forest to the southwest, the Tonto National Forest to the south, and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to the southeast. The forest contains all or parts of 10 designated wilderness areas, including the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, which includes the summit of the San Francisco Peaks.  The Coconino National Forest consists of three districts: Flagstaff Ranger District, Mogollon Rim Ranger District, and Red Rock Ranger District--which have local ranger stations in Flagstaff, Happy Jack, and Sedona. The headquarters, or Supervisor’s Office, is in Flagstaff.

Statistics

  • Size: 1.8 million acres
  • Designated Wilderness Areas: 10 (The forest contains all or parts of these areas.)
  • Full-time Employees: 230 to 280
  • Developed Campgrounds: 24
  • Cabin Rentals: 4
  • Archaeological/Heritage Sites: 4
  • Annual Visitors: 5.532 million (based on 2020 National Visitor Use Monitoring report)
  • Fire Lookouts: 10
  • Miles of Open Forest Roads: Approx. 3,300
  • Miles of Trails on Forest: 693
  • Number of Trails on Forest: 161

Related and Local Links