The Santa Rita Mountains ( O'odham : To:wa Kuswo Doʼag ), located about 40 miles (60 km) southeast of Tucson, Arizona , extend 26 miles (42 km) from north to south, then trending southeast. They merge again southeastwards into the Patagonia Mountains , trending northwest by southeast. The highest point in the range, and the highest point in the Tucson area, is Mount Wrightson , with an elevation of 9,453 feet (2,881 m), The range contains Madera Canyon , one of the world's premier birding areas. The Smithsonian Institution 's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is located on Mount Hopkins . The range is one of the Madrean sky islands .
14-690: The Santa Rita Mountains are mostly within the Coronado National Forest . Prior to 1908 they were the principal component of Santa Rita National Forest , which was combined with other small forest tracts to form Coronado. Much of the range lies within the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness , managed by the Coronado National Forest. The Santa Rita Mountains were severely burned in July 2005 in the Florida Fire. On
28-549: A lawsuit in October against federal agencies that have sought to force the removal of the initial 130 containers used as a wall on the border. Governor-elect Katie Hobbs had stated an intention to remove the containers after taking office. The State has agreed to remove the containers starting January 2023. The national forest is divided into five ranger districts, which are not contiguous; each consists of multiple sky island mountain ranges. The Santa Catalina Ranger District near
42-777: Is located in parts of Cochise , Graham , Santa Cruz , Pima , and Pinal Counties in Arizona, and Hidalgo County in New Mexico. In 1902, the land that is now part of Coronado National Forest was included as part of the Santa Rita Forest Reserve. This was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, and the Coronado National Forest was established in 1908. During a party in 2017, the Sawmill Fire ignited and went out control. The fire went on for many days. Approximately 47,000 acres (19,000 ha) were burnt. The person behind
56-541: The Chiricahua , Dragoon , and Peloncillo Mountains . A portion of the ranger district in the Peloncillos extends into New Mexico. The district comprises three formerly separate national forests: Chiricahua National Forest , Dragoon National Forest , and Peloncillo National Forest , all combined into Coronado. The Sierra Vista Ranger District comprises three mountain ranges west of Sierra Vista, Arizona . These ranges are
70-566: The Huachuca , Patagonia , and Whetstone Mountains . Included in this area is the highest peak in the Huachucas, Miller Peak , and the region of the Huachucas known as Canelo Hills. The district includes the formerly separate Huachuca National Forest . The Coronado National Forest contains eight designated wilderness areas , with at least one in each ranger district. Congress defines "wilderness" as an area "untrammeled by man". Common activities in
84-573: The Santa Rita , Tumacacori , Pajarito , and San Luis Mountains . Included in this area are Mount Hopkins , Mount Wrightson , and Madera Canyon , all located in the Santa Ritas. In the early 20th century, this area included two national forests which were absorbed into Coronado: Santa Rita National Forest and Tumacacori National Forest . The Douglas Ranger District comprises three mountain ranges north and east of Douglas, Arizona . These ranges are
98-506: The Coronado National Forest wilderness areas include hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, and fishing. The use of mechanized or motorized equipment, including bicycles, generators, and chain saws, is prohibited. The public campgrounds located within the Coronado National Forest, most of which require a daily/nightly fee (see Coronado National Forest official website for accurate and current details), are as follows: Santa Catalina National Forest Santa Catalina National Forest
112-761: The Tucson valley include the Santa Catalina Mountains , the Rincon Mountains , the Tucson Mountains , and the Tortolita Mountains . A large porphyry copper deposit has been identified near the old Helvetia mining district on the north flank of the range. The proposed Rosemont Copper mine would be an open pit operation located in the Santa Ritas about 2 miles (3 km) west of mile marker 44 on Arizona State Route 83 . The Santa Rita Mountains were
126-606: The city of Safford, Arizona . These five ranges are the Pinaleño , Galiuro , Santa Teresa , Winchester, and Greasewood Mountains. Included in this area is the highest peak of the Pinaleños, Mount Graham . Mount Graham National Forest was a formerly separate national forest, combined into Crook National Forest on July 1, 1908. In 1953, part of Crook was absorbed into Coronado. The Nogales Ranger District comprises four mountain ranges north and west of Nogales, Arizona . These ranges are
140-571: The city of Tucson comprises the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains . Included in this area are the highest peak of the Santa Catalinas, Mount Lemmon , the rugged Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area , and the popular Sabino Canyon . Much of this district was part of Santa Catalina National Forest before its inclusion in Coronado. The Safford Ranger District comprises the mountain ranges surrounding
154-525: The fire was an off duty US Border Patrol agent. He was fined and given probation. The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs constructed a 3,800-foot (1,200 m) length of wall in 2022 on federal and tribal lands near Yuma, without federal permission. The National Forest Supervisor told the state to refrain from placing more shipping containers along the Arizona border with Mexico without obtaining proper authorization. Governor Doug Ducey filed
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#1732844676527168-498: The temporary home range of " El Jefe ," an adult male jaguar first identified in 2011. He has not been seen since 2015 and it is presumed that he returned to Mexico, where the nearest breeding population of jaguars is located. Coronado National Forest The Coronado National Forest is a United States National Forest that includes an area of about 1.78 million acres (7,200 km ) spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico . It
182-454: The western side of the northern Santa Rita Mountains, a large cliff face of white marble is visible from the Green Valley and Sahuarita areas. This "white scar" reminded early Spanish missionaries of Saint Rita of Cascia (1381–1457), an Italian nun, who is often depicted with a small wound on her forehead. The mountain range was consequently named after her. Other mountain ranges surrounding
196-570: Was established as the Santa Catalina Forest Reserve by the United States General Land Office in Arizona on July 2, 1902 with 155,520 acres (629.4 km ). After the transfer of federal forests to the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, it became a National Forest on March 4, 1907. On July 1, 1908 it was combined with Dragoon National Forest and Santa Rita National Forest to create Coronado National Forest and
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