As an area almost entirely surrounded by national forest land, the Verde Valley is no stranger to camping. Every year, residents of the Verde Valley can expect tourists traveling from Phoenix or beyond to take advantage of the area’s beautiful rural setting. 

But this year, camping in the Prescott National Forest has been barred by the U.S. Forest Service on the western slopes of Mingus Mountain. The ban area stretches from Cottonwood to well south of Camp Verde. 

According to Debbie Maneely, public affairs officer for the Prescott National Forest, the forest service made this decision after encountering high levels of trash on the forest service land. 

“The dispersed camping area was overused, [with] over stay-limit issues, trash, illegal activities, property abandonment and resource damage that provided an unpleasant camping and recreation experience for legitimate recreational users,” Maneely wrote in an email. “The Prescott National Forest incurred cleanups costs for the area several times. From May 11, 2018, through present we have removed 8,500 pounds of garbage from the area. 

“The closure will provide time for resource recovery, cleanup of abandoned property and trash and will improve public safety issues.” 

“In order to address the issue of overcrowding and overuse in these areas on the Verde Ranger District, Forest Officials are issuing a two-year temporary closure which will start Jan. 7, 2019,” the Prescott National Forest announced on its website. 

“During this closure period camping will be 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.” 

Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551 or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com