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Arizona › Gila County

Tonto National Forest

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 20 at 2:00PM MST until July 20 at 2:30PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ

2:00 PM — 2:30 PM

SVRFGZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Gila County in east central Arizona... * Until 230 PM MST. * At 200 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest of Brushy Top Mountain, or 36 miles south of Forest Lakes, moving southwest at 15 mph. HAZARD...Half dollar size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected. * Locations impacted include... Sierra Ancha Wilderness. This includes State Route 288 between mile markers 273 and 282. This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds... Elks Youth Camp.

Flood Watch issued July 20 at 1:01PM MST until July 21 at 10:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ

1:01 PM — 9:15 PM

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...A portion of south central Arizona, including the following areas, Globe/Miami, San Carlos, Southeast Gila County and Tonto Basin. * WHEN...From Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Deep monsoon moisture in place across Eastern Arizona will lead to storms capable of producing rainfall between 1-2 inches per hours, to locally higher, resulting in an enhanced risk of flash flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Flood Watch issued July 20 at 12:38PM MST until July 21 at 10:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ

12:38 PM — 8:45 PM

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of east central, north central, northeast, and west central Arizona, including the following areas, in east central Arizona, Northern Gila County. In north central Arizona, Black Mesa Area, Coconino Plateau, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Grand Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Marble and Glen Canyons, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 and Western Mogollon Rim. In northeast Arizona, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County and White Mountains. In west central Arizona, Yavapai County Mountains. * WHEN...From Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas. Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Deep monsoon moisture in place across northern Arizona will lead to storms capable of producing rainfall in excess of 2 inches per hour, resulting in an enhanced risk of flash flooding. - Additional information is available at weather.gov/flagstaff.

Overview

Tonto National Forest is Arizona's largest national forest, spanning 2.9 million acres of diverse terrain from Sonoran Desert at 1,300 feet to pine forests along the Mogollon Rim at 7,900 feet. The forest is currently OPEN with no fire restrictions as of September 5, 2025. However, there is a temporary emergency equestrian closure in effect along the Lower Salt River area (effective December 6, 2025) due to Vesicular Stomatitis Virus detected in Salt River horses—horses, mules, burros, and donkeys are prohibited in affected areas, but all other recreation remains open. The forest features eight wilderness areas, multiple recreation areas, exceptional camping options (dispersed and developed), world-class trails, and year-round recreation from lake beaches to cool pine forests. A Washington Fire Emergency Closure remains in effect in limited areas. Christmas tree permits are currently available. The forest offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, camping, OHV use, fishing, and scenic drives across its varied ecosystems.

Campgrounds

Airplane Flat Campground Apache Lake Boat Access Bagley Flat Campground Burnt Corral Campground C C C Tonto Nf Cave Creek Group Site Cholla Campground Christopher Creek Campground Colcord Ridge Campground Devils Canyon Campground Fraizer Horse Camp Frazier Group Campground Frazier Horse Campground Grapevine Campground Haigler Canyon Campground Horseshoe Houston Mesa Indian Point Campground Jones Water Campground Kellner Group Campground Larry Forbis Day Use Group Site Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site Lower Tonto Creek Mesquite Oak Flat Campground Pinal & Upper Pinal Campgrounds Pioneer Pass Campground Ponderosa

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