Officials on the Prescott National Forest will extend the Camping and Motor Vehicle Use closure for the area near Perkinsville Bridge on the Chino Valley Ranger District through October 3, 2025. The closure was implemented in 2021 after high recreational use caused significant resource damage to soil and water quality; as well as abandoned property, trash, and sanitation issues creating an unsafe environment for other forest users and continued resource degradation. The area is also subject to flash flooding potential and is critical habitat for both threatened & endangered species.
To address these issues on the Chino Valley Ranger District, Forest Officials are extending the temporary camping and motor vehicle use closure in and around the Perkinsville Bridge for an additional 2-years. This will include a motor vehicle use closure of National Forest Service Roads 9004W and 9004M roads adjacent to the bridge. Camping in and around the bridge along the Verde River will be prohibited. County Road 70 will remain open with limited parking alongside the roadway. The area will still be open to both day use and non-motorized activities including swimming, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and hiking, among other recreational activities.
In 2024 the district will begin the process to establish a long-term solution providing for appropriate recreational day-use actives with minimal impact on the natural resources. This process will provide opportunity for public involvement and input.
The closure order and map can be viewed online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/prescott/alerts-notices
