Trails, picnic areas in Coronado NF reopen after Bighorn Fire

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - If you are hoping to escape the heat this holiday weekend, you are in luck.

Several trails, picnic areas and a campground along the Catalina Highway have reopened after the Bighorn Fire spread earlier this year.

The Coronado National Forest updated the health and safety closure order, which remains in effect until November 1, 2020, or until rescinded. The following areas have been removed from the closure order:

Soldier Trail
Baad Do’ag Trail and Vista
AZ Trail East of Catalina Highway
Molino Canyon Vista
Molino Basin Day Use
Gordon Hirabayashi Day Use
Bug Spring Trail
Thimble Rock Vista
Seven Cataracts Vista
Cypress Picnic Area
Chihuahua Pine Picnic Area
Middle Bear Picnic Area
General Hitchcock Campground
Windy Point Vista
Geology Vista
Hoodoo Vista
San Pedro Vista
Sycamore Vista
Aspen Vista
Box Elder Picnic Area
Inspiration Rock Picnic Area
Alder Picnic Area
Loma Linda Picnic Area

Restrooms and trash services at the above areas will not be available. Officials ask forest visitors to recreate responsibly, pack out their trash and practice Leave No Trace principle.

Restrooms and trash services will resume at these four recreation sites, listed below, on September 3, 2020.

General Hitchcock Campground
Inspiration Rock Picnic Area
Alder Picnic Area
Box Elder Picnic Area

Forest officials said the priority continues to be taking steps to reduce risks to public health and safety within and downstream of the burn scar caused by the Bighorn Fire.

Some recreation areas within the Santa Catalina Ranger District, including the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, remain closed.