Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is actually two separate forests that are run as one in Springerville, Arizona. There are more than 2 million acres of mountains in the east-central portion of Arizona that make up the forest. In 1974 the two forests which were being individually run were combined to make one.

The National Forest has thirty four reservoirs and lakes, over 680 miles of streams and rivers which means that it has more than any other National Forest in the Southwest. Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves conducted the first scientific expedition of Arizona during the beginning of the 1850's and the forest is named for him. The Mogollon Rim and man-made lakes are the main attractions for visitors to the forest.

Apache National Forest was named for the tribes that settled there and has elevations from thirty-five hundred feet to eleven thousand five hundred feet. There are a number of wilderness areas in the Apache. There are some concerns for management of the facility however such as the watersheds health and restoration and the sustaining of the ecosystems.

Anyone interested in enjoying a day of nature should visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest if they are ever in the Springerville, Arizona area. Additional details can be obtained by contacting the forest service directly.