Ironwood Forest National Monument

Transportation Management Plan Public Meeting

Thursday, June 27
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Marana Parks and Recreation Building
13251 N. Lon Adams
Marana, AZ 85653

The focus of the meeting is to solicit public input on methods of implementing the travel route designations and travel management decisions that were included in Appendix D of the IFNM Resource Management Plan.

ragged top mountainDescription
Taking its name from one of the longest living trees in the Arizona desert, the 129,000-acre Ironwood Forest National Monument is a true Sonoran Desert showcase. Keeping company with the ironwood trees are mesquite, palo verde, creosote, and saguaro, blanketing the monument floor beneath rugged mountain ranges named Silver Bell, Waterman and Sawtooth. In between, desert valleys lay quietly to complete the setting.

 Elevations here range from 1,800 to more than 4,200 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 
Directions
From Tucson, take Interstate 10 west to Marana. Take Exit 236, turn left on Sandario Road for .1 mile, then turn right on Marana Road and go west about 5.8 miles to Silver Bell Road. Continue on Silver Bell Road to travel through the national monument. Visitors can return to I-10 at Sasco Road.
 
Visitor Activities
Primitive camping, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife and plant viewing, horseback riding, photography, sightseeing, wildflower viewing in spring, hunting, birdwatching, fossil and geologic sightseeing, historic and archaeological sites.
 
Special Features
Ragged Top Mountain is the biological and geological crown jewel of the national monument. Several endangered and threatened species live here, including the Nichols turk’s head cactus and the lesser long-nosed bat. The national monument also contains habitat for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl. The desert bighorn sheep dwelling in the region are the last viable population indigenous to the Tucson basin. The area holds abundant rock art sites and other archaeological objects of scientific interest. Humans have inhabited the area for more than 5,000 years. More than 200 sites from the prehistoric Hohokam period (600 A.D. to 1440 A.D.) have been recorded in the area. In more modern times, the area was a source of minerals and continues to support active mining operations today.

Visitor Information
Partnerships

Research & Edication

Background & History

Planning & Reports
 
Other BLM Arizona National Monuments

Permits, Fees, Limitations
No permits are required to visit the national monument. Vehicles must stay on existing routes.
 
Accessibility
There are no developed facilities on the monument.
 
Camping and Lodging
Primitive camping is available on the monument. Lodging is available in Tucson and Casa Grande.
 
Food and Supplies
The nearest stores are in Marana or Tucson, AZ.
 
First Aid
There is no first-aid available on-site. The nearest hospitals are in Tucson or Casa Grande, AZ.
 
Additional Information
The monument is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. All suspected illegal activities should be reported to BLM or local law enforcement authorities. Visitors should stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities. Drive with caution and look for fast-moving vehicles and pedestrians on back roads. Some roads are rugged: high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in those areas.
 
Hazards include poisonous snakes, africanized bees, and potential encounters with illegal users of public land. Hunting is permitted through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The national monument contains state trust lands and private lands. Recreation on state trust lands requires a permit from the State of Arizona. Visitors should not trespass on private lands.  Contact the Monument office for additional information.

 Ironwood Forest National Monument 
Monument Manager:  Claire Crow
3201 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756 
(520) 258-7200