Natural History Wanderings

New Fall Foliage updates for Arizona and New Mexico National Forests

Arizona

Tonto National Forest

• On the Cave Creek Ranger District the colors in the Seven Springs area are at their peak now and should be for another week. The leaves in the Needle Rock area are beginning to change and should reach their peak in a week or 2. If you travel on Pima from Hwy. 101 toward Cave Creek, turn right on Dynamite which becomes Rio Verde. At the end of Rio Verde, turn left on Forest Road 20 which goes to Needle Rock Picnic Site and Needle Rock Beach. Follow this road and turn left before the Rio Verde Ranch. Follow the road into Box Bar. There is a little color change there also.

Fall colors are done for the season on the following National Forests: Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab and Prescott.

 New Mexico  

Cibola National Forest

• On the Kiowa & Rita Blanca National Grasslands colors should be good for 1 more week in Mills Canyon. Take I-25 north to Wagon Mound, then east on Hwy 120 to Roy, and north on Hwy 39 to Mills. The canyon entrance will be on the left, 210 miles from Albuquerque. High clearance vehicles are recommended and 4 wheel drive will be necessary if it has rained recently. Be aware that there is only one way in and one way out of the canyon, so please take necessary precautions in regards to weather and time of day. Roy will be the last place that you will be able to get food or gas until you return to Roy upon departure or for 30 miles if you continue to Clayton or Springer.

Fall colors are done for the season on the following National Forests:Carson, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe.