Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Do you like to hike, mountain bike, drive or horseback ride in Rim Country? Do you have thoughts about how to make our trails better in the places we love? The Rim Country Trails Working Group...

Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation's (AZSFWC) "Conserving Wildlife" license plate ended 2017 surpassing the prior year both in license plate sales and grant awards from the proceeds. Last... Full story

PHOENIX, March 2, 2018-For Immediate Release. Tonto National Forest fire specialists will continue to conduct prescribed fire treatments on approximately 1,566 acres in areas north of Payson,... Full story

Each year as part of its highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) asks outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone... Full story

Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in waiving fees at day-use sites on six remaining days. These special days will provide people an easier way to experience national forests and... Full story

CANYON LAKE, Ariz. — Boaters and other outdoor recreationists are advised that the Palo Verde Boat Ramp at Canyon Lake will temporarily close from March 1 through March 17 for a facility i... Full story

Attention target shooters! The Tonto National Forest has implemented restrictions on target types — as of November 20 — in an effort to reduce the amount of refuse and trash being left on the for... Full story

The Tonto National Forest is extending the comment period on the Preliminary Proposed Plan. After receiving several requests, the public and interested parties have an additional 22 days to provide... Full story

Wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat in cold water - it could save your life, plus here are some good catching tips to snag a keeper this fall/winter. Nearly one-third of Arizona's boaters say... Full story

Fee machines have been installed and are available to pay fees for overnight camping on the Mesa, Cave Creek, Globe and Tonto Basin ranger districts. Timber Camp Campground, on the Globe Ranger... Full story

Beginning October 1, Maricopa County's Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign! The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more,... Full story

At 5000 feet, Payson stays quite a bit cooler than Phoenix in the summer. Temperatures may reach the mid 90s, but if you're in a shady forest, it seems a lot cooler. We love to go to Payson, and... Full story

PHOENIX, June 30, 2017 -For Immediate Release. The Tonto National Forest will offer a 30-day public comment period from July 1 through July 30, 2017, to collect feedback on suggested changes to the... Full story

Want to spend your summer in the mountains of Arizona? Consider applying for a campground host position with the Tonto National Forest. The Pleasant Valley Ranger District is looking for a campground... Full story

Tours will be on July 1 and 2 and will include Friday's history lesson and Saturday's morning viewing cruise MESA, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering two unique opportunities t... Full story

Forest officials say they expect large numbers of visitors to the Tonto's popular campgrounds and picnic areas over the weekend preceding July 4. The following information will help visitors have a... Full story

Fire season is under way in Arizona and with Easter occurring April 16 followed by Memorial Day and its customary three-day weekend in late May, visitation is beginning to increase on the Tonto... Full story

They are man-made homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, and like building a neighborhood, provide the architecture for sustainable life. The first step in placing fish habitat into... Full story

The Day on the Lake program is the only adapted water sports program for those with physical and neurological disabilities offered in Arizona. Summer 2016 marked our 20th year of helping people who... Full story

In first phase of long-term project on Tonto National Forest lakes, AZGFD biologists sink fish habitat structures. PHOENIX – They are manmade homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, a... Full story

Note - See the update at the bottom of this story for areas that have reopened since the issue date. PHOENIX, AZ, February 28, 2017—For Immediate Release. Forest Road 19, leading to Bartlett Lake, i... Full story

Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering four more fee-free days on public lands in 2017. The fee-free program is in cooperation with other federal land management agencies... Full story

Tip Of The Week Bartlett Lake in the Tonto National Forest can be a great place for winter crappie and bass. Some of the best crappie fishing can be done in the cold of the morning - then anglers can... Full story

The Tonto National Forest began selling Christmas tree permits on November 16. Permits will be available at Cave Creek, Mesa, Payson, and Pleasant Valley ranger districts and at the Supervisors... Full story

Publisher's Note: We at Arizona Boating & Watersports / Western Outdoor Times would like to congratulate Don McDowell. His hard work, perseverance, and dedication to preserving our wildlife has been... Full story