Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest | |
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IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
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Location | Arizona and New Mexico, United States |
Nearest city | Springerville |
Coordinates | 33°38′14″N 109°17′17″W / 33.63722°N 109.28806°WCoordinates: 33°38′14″N 109°17′17″W / 33.63722°N 109.28806°W |
Area | 2,761,386 acres (11,174.93 km2) |
Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
Website | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest |
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is a 2.76-million-acre (11,169 km2)United States National Forest which runs along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains in east-central Arizona and extending into the U.S. state of New Mexico. Both forests are managed as one unit by USDA Forest Service from the forests Supervisors Office in Springerville, Arizona. Apache-Sitgreaves has over 400 species of wildlife. With its high elevation and cool summer breezes it is a popular weekend destination from the hot desert for Phoenix, Arizona residents. The forest is divided into 5 Ranger Districts (Clifton, Alpine, Springerville, Lakeside, and Black Mesa) that span almost 300 miles (480 km) from Clifton, Arizona in the east-central portion of Arizona to the eastern boundary of the Coconino National Forest in north-central Arizona. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest borders the western and northern borders of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. It is located in parts of Greenlee, Apache, Navajo, and Coconino counties in eastern and east-central Arizona, and Catron County in western New Mexico. The more northwesterly Sitgreaves National Forest portion lies adjacent to the north side of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and is located entirely in Arizona, within Navajo, Apache, and Coconino counties. It has a total area of 818,651 acres (3,313 km2). The more southeasterly and much larger Apache National Forest portion lies adjacent to the east side of the Fort Apache and the San Carlos Indian Reservations. It lies on both sides of the border with New Mexico, in Greenlee, Catron, and Apache counties. It has a total area of 1,813,601 acres (7,339 km2).