A portion of the Prescott National Forest closed to the public Monday and will remain so until January 2021. The closure was announced in mid-December by Verde District Ranger Todd Willard who stated that due to overuse and misuse the closure was necessary. In the last 10-years multiple strategies have been used from providing volunteer hosts, improving signing to ensure understanding of Forest Camping Policies and Regulations, to intensive monitoring and compliance in an attempt to keep the areas open. The strategies have been ineffective as overstay violation, trash dumping, abandoned property, resource degradation and human waste issues continue to occur. During the closure period, camping is prohibited within the restricted areas adjacent to Highway-260 from Cottonwood to Camp Verde and Salt Mine Road in Camp Verde from the intersection with Highway-260 to Beasley Flats Day Use Area.
