Wild Backcountry 628,500 acres

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Coronado National Forest
D R A F T Land Use Zones Desired Condition
Wild Backcountry (628,500 acres) This land use
zone is managed for a range of non-motorized
uses. It includes Inventoried Roadless Areas,
areas adjacent to Wilderness Areas, and other
relatively pristine areas. Settings are natural,
and the sights and sounds of motorized vehicles,
crowds or other urban elements are not evident.
There are no permanent facilities and very few
dispersed camping sites. A few primitive or
high-clearance roads allow motorized access into
limited areas. Temporary roads may be allowed
for specific purposes, including but not limited
to appropriate management response to fire, or
ecological restoration activities. New permanent
roads are added only if needed to restore
motorized public or administrative access to
National Forest System lands. Roaded
Backcountry (623,400 acres) This land use zone
is managed for a range of dispersed uses and
motorized access. Places for quiet recreation
are available, and areas are managed to retain
the natural character and limit the level and
type of development. National Forest System
roads provide access to trailheads and remote,
undeveloped camping areas, and occasionally
developed recreation facilities or administrative
sites. Most roads are unpaved. New roads are
sometimes added when needed for public or
administrative use. Backcountry Recreation
(46,000 acres) This land use zone is managed for
recreational motorized use, generally focused on
ATV recreation and driving for pleasure. A
network of National Forest System roads and
motorized trails provides access throughout these
areas. There are several high speed highways in
this land use zone, but most roads are unpaved.
Road densities are generally higher than in
Roaded Backcountry. Along the roads there are
trailheads and dispersed camping areas.
Developed recreation facilities in this zone are
generally focused on the needs of ATV users. The
sights and sounds of motorized vehicles are
common around these facilities and motorized
trails. New roads are sometimes added when
needed for public or administrative
use. Developed Recreation (46,500 acres) These
are the major public access corridors into the
Coronado National Forest. Well maintained roads
accommodate all types of vehicles. These mostly
paved roads are popular sightseeing routes, and
some are designated as scenic byways. Visitors
often spend the day in these areas, and
destinations include campgrounds, picnic areas,
vista points, visitor centers, and lakes.
(Continued on other side)
November 2008
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Developed Recreation (Continued) Organization
camps and recreational residences are found in
some areas. Facilities are in good condition and
blend into the forest setting. There are popular
trailheads along these routes, and hiking trails
generally provide access to Roaded Backcountry,
Wild Backcountry and Wilderness. Roads are well
maintained, often by partnerships with other
governments or agencies. Wilderness (426,039
acres) and other Special Areas (20,395 acres) In
addition to the proposed land use zones, the
Coronado NF contains designated Wilderness Areas
and other special management areas that are
proposed to be brought forward without change in
the revised Forest Plan. Draft General
Suitability for activities in proposed Land Use
Zones Suitability of areas is the identification
of the general suitability of an area in a
national forest unit for a variety of uses that
are compatible with desired conditions and
objectives for that area. The identification of
an area as generally suitable for a use or uses
is neither a commitment nor a decision approving
activities and uses. Any specific use of an area
is authorized through project and activity
decision making.