Tonto National Forest - Arizona

The 5th largest forest in the United States, Tonto National forest is visited by over 5 million people every year.. Covering 3 million acres of rugged country, ranging from Saguaro cactus-studded desert to pine-forested mountains and lakeside beaches, Tonto National Forest offers a variety of outstanding recreational activities to enjoy year round.

Tonto National Park, where Geronimo once led the Apache into violent clashes with the U.S. Army, contains vertical-walled canyons, steep, multicolored cliffs and scrub-covered hills that are almost unchanged. With terrain and elevation ranging from the Sonoran Desert (1,400 feet) to the Mogollon Rim (7,400 feet) that include lakes, fertile river valleys, rocky canyons and flat plains, Tonto National Park is a sprawl of nature that all the family will love. Much of the area is covered by cacti (including giant saguaro), bushes, chaparral and grasslands. Your senses will be invigorated with the smells of juniper, mixed fir and even chocolate and vanilla ponderosa pines. With nearly 900 miles of National Forest System Trails, the natural beauty of the forest will be adored by hikers, bikers and equestrians alike.

The clear, trout-stocked streams attract thousands of visitors from the cities seeking to escape soaring summer temperatures, and the wooded lakes on the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests draw hundreds more on weekends for waterskiing and power boating. For those who prefer some peaceful seclusion, head for the narrow lake arm extending between two near-vertical canyon walls, and leave your worries behind.