Hi Marla,

Unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated than even that. /:

Some sites within Tonto National Forest do accept the America the Beautiful pass, even ones with more than a picnic table. Others absolutely require a Tonto Pass. Those tend to be the ones in which there is a boat ramp (even if you’re not using it).

Other forests have some sites that also aren’t covered by the national pass or even the annual Red Rock Pass, such as Call O’ the Canyon or Grasshopper Point in Coconino NF, but do have yet another pass (the Grand Red Rock Pass in this case) that does cover it—but just not any other forest. Still others require low-cost “permits,” which seem like entrance fees to the average visitor…but again, those aren’t covered by a national pass, and likely not even that specific forest’s annual pass.

This is all quite maddening, as very few users really understand the minutiae of the land management bureaucracy. And to be frank, it’s rather common to get conflicting answers from the forest offices, and sometimes even from the very rangers patrolling the parking lots. So I guess I should be clear—when it doubt, look it up before you go.

Cheers!

Red Rock/Coconino and Coronado National Forests do have their own passes (annual and daily) but also accept the America The Beautiful Pass National Parks Pass with full access. Other Federal Lands that have their own passes but also accept the America The Beautiful Pass are Southern California National Forests and the White Mountain National Forest.

These individual passes are great if you are only going to explore that one state. The America the Beautiful is an amazing value if you are traveling across different states. We sell the passes online – handy to have them before heading out, and offer a free road trip planner so you can plan the perfect adventure: http://www.myscenicdrives.com

Nope, you’ll need to get both passes if you want to get into both Maricopa County and State Parks (provided that the state park is still open).