Tonto National Forest has nearly 3,000,000 hectares and is the largest of six national forests in Arizona. Landscapes range from Saguaro cactus deserts to lakes and forests Pine – mountains. Elevations range from 1,400 feet in the Sonoran Desert to 7400 meters in the Mogollon Rim. Much of the area is covered by cacti (mainly Giant Saguaro). Cactus colonies merge with shrubs, bushes and grasslands above 4,000 feet, while the higher hills to the north varied habitats support as forests of juniper, fir and ponderosa pine mixed.

Besides desert and mountains, Tonto National Forest contains lakes and reservoirs, river valleys, canyons and plains. It also contains eight independent national wilderness areas with limited access. The land in these wilderness areas is generally steep and rough, without much roads, and has a harsh climate for most of the year.

To the southwest, it borders the Tonto National Forest along the edge of the desert superstition and New River Mountains. To the north, is surrounded by three National Forests – Prescott, Coconino and Apache National Forests. And to the east, is bordered by the Fort Apache and San Carlos Indian Reservations. The northern boundary is defined by the Mogollon Rim, ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 meters, which forms the southern boundary of the great Colorado Plateau, which extends over 100 miles through central Arizona.

Two campsites with beautiful views of some of the diverse landscapes of Tonto National Forest are Tortilla Cholla and camps. While both camps are located in beautiful wilderness areas, camping Tortilla has beautiful views of cliffs and mountains of superstition Desert and Theodore Roosevelt Cholla camp overlooking Lake.

Tortilla campsite is on a ridge along Tortilla Creek near Apache Trail Scenic Byway. With 77 RV and tent sites in the middle of a beautiful desert landscape, one would think that this camp, as many national forest camps, no warranties of any kind of hook up RV. Well But surprisingly, all sites of water and sewage – a much appreciated amenity desert camp!

Besides the beautiful views of the native vegetation desert at an altitude of 1870 feet, the camp has excellent views of the steep cliffs of the Superstition Wilderness of most sites field. Directions to campsite tortilla through the Apache Trail, or AZ 88, as it is officially known, also offers magnificent views of the mountains of superstition and Wildlife. The desert vegetation provides a good separation between camp sites on the tortilla.

Camping Cholla, such as tortillas, is surrounded by desert vegetation. It overlooks Lake Roosevelt, with many sites that direct visitors, but distant from the lake. Note that because the camp is a distance of the lake, if the water is low, may not be able to see it. Water levels depend on the weather and water needs in Phoenix.

This camp is at an altitude of 2,200 feet and is much larger than the tortilla with 206 RV and camp sites. No hook ups are available in this camp.
Roosevelt Lake is one of the largest in the state and as in other lakes in this area, summer temperatures can exceed 90 degrees F. In recent years has seen a reduction dramatic water level, due mainly to the need to maintain supplies to the lakes of the Rio Salado other downstream. However, there are still plenty of boating and swimming opportunities for much of the year.

Tortilla and Cholla are like two camps in the desert oasis for campers seeking sites camping with beautiful views of some of the varied natural landscapes of the Tonto National Forest. Camping with beautiful views of desert landscapes, a lake and rugged mountainous terrain Superstitious wild area is just a small part of what Arizona's largest forest country has to offer.

Carl Zimmerman is dedicated to finding campgrounds with beautiful views. For more information, visit http://www.campingwithaview.com/NF/AZ/TontoNF.htm for Tonto National Forest and visit http://www.campingwithaview.com/NF/NF.htm for all National Forests campgrounds with beautiful views.

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