Most of Sonoran Desert National Monument Will Remain Open to Shooters

After years of administrative fighting, the BLM recommended that 53,000 acres be closed to shooting—but 443,000 acres will stay open.

Author:: BACKPACKER Contributors and Editors
Publish date:: Oct 25, 2017
Updated on: Nov 15, 2017

Sonoran Desert NM — Sonoran Desert National Monument, established in 2001.
Kevin Russ

Though it hasn't been finalized, the BLM has proposed closing 53,000 acres of Sonoran Desert National Monument to shooting while leaving the remaining 443,000 acres open. The bureau considered everything from complete bans to complete permission, but chose to leave just 11 percent of the land off-limits to shooting.

Road into Coronado

The Interior Department purchased a plot of private land that will be open to hikers and hunters.

mt graham

Trails and campgrounds on Mt. Graham will remain shuttered for public safety.

mcdowell

Opponents of Scottsdale's proposed Desert Discovery Center in McDowell Sonoran Preserve demand a public vote.

campfire

Parts of the Prescott and Coconino National Forests now limit campfires, smoking, and shooting to help prevent wildfires.

camp

Three Prescott National Forest sites back in business this week.

View of Kaibab National Forest.

Employees and interns are updating USGS topo maps by hiking each and every mile in 1.6-million-acre Kaibab NF.

bears ears

The bill is a response to the White House's rollback of protections for Utah public lands.

NPs

The lifetime pass for those 62 and older will jump to $80 from $10 this year.

north rim

All park and concessionaire services will be operational on opening day.