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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Sep. 30, 2015 — For Immediate Release. Coconino National Forest plans to manage vehicle access to Lockett Meadow over the next couple of weekends to ensure public safety and allow safe travel up and down the road that leads to the meadow.

During the weekends of Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 10-11, Forest Service personnel will be positioned in Lockett Meadow and also at the bottom of the road that leads to the meadow (near the junction of Forest Roads 552 and 418). Once the maximum capacity of approximately 50 vehicles has been reached in Lockett Meadow, personnel will manage traffic and allow one vehicle access as another departs.

Lockett Meadow is a popular destination for viewing fall colors and aspen stands as they turn yellow in the inner basin of the San Francisco Peaks. Forest Road 552, which is used to access the meadow, is a narrow forest road alongside a steep cliff that can be unsafe and difficult for opposing traffic to pass one another. Drivers should pay particular attention to oncoming traffic and blind corners.

Forest visitors are encouraged to seek other locations besides Lockett Meadow to view fall colors—especially on the weekends. This includes the Around the Peaks Scenic Loop Drive on Forest Road 418, Snowbowl Road and the Snowbowl Scenic Chairlift, Elden Lookout Road (Forest Road 557), Hart Prairie (Forest Road 151) and Forest Road 300 along the Mogollon Rim. For more information and destinations to view fall colors on the Coconino, please visit http://tinyurl.com/napr8tf.
Lockett Meadow Campground has 17 campsites ($14/night) that are on a first-come, first-served basis. The 50-vehicle restriction will not apply to those camping at Lockett Meadow.

Coco the vicious nino wrote:FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Sept. 30, 2019

Due to the popularity of Lockett Meadow as a destination for viewing fall colors and aspen stands, vehicle access to the meadow will be managed over the first few weekends of October to ensure public safety.

Beginning October 5, Forest Service personnel will be positioned in Lockett Meadow and at the bottom of the road that leads to the meadow (near the junction of Forest Roads 552 and 418). Personnel will not allow uphill traffic once the maximum capacity of approximately 100 vehicles has been reached in Lockett Meadow. More vehicles will be allowed as other vehicles exit the meadow, but only a maximum of 100 vehicles will be allowed in Lockett Meadow.

Forest Road (FR) 552—the road used to access the meadow—is a narrow, rocky and rough forest road alongside a steep cliff that can be unsafe and difficult for opposing traffic to pass one another. Drivers should pay particular attention to oncoming traffic and blind corners. Vehicles with trailers are strongly discouraged.

Lockett Meadow Campground has 17 campsites ($16/night) that are on a first-come, first-served basis. The 100-vehicle restriction will not apply to those camping at Lockett Meadow. Those interested in viewing fall colors in Lockett Meadow should avoid weekends, as weekends tend to have the highest visitation numbers.

Coco the color coordinator wrote:Forest visitors are encouraged to seek other locations besides Lockett Meadow, as there are many locations to choose from. The following is a list of locations where one can view stunning fall colors across Coconino National Forest:

Hart Prairie Road (FR 151) – Accessed via U.S. Highway 180, this forest road goes through aspen groves and has superb views of the San Francisco Peaks.

Around the Peaks Loop (FR 418) – Can be accessed on the west side of the San Francisco Peaks by U.S. Highway 180 and Forest Road 151, or on the east side of the Peaks by U.S. Highway 89 near the Sunset Crater turnoff. This road travels along the north side of the Peaks, with views of aspen on the Peaks and along the road. It can be a little rough for passenger cars in some areas but is still passable. Drive with care.

Snowbowl Road (FR 516) – Accessed by U.S. Highway 180, this paved road up to Arizona Snowbowl offers great colors and views. At the top, visitors can park at the Humphrey’s Trailhead and take a walk across Hart Prairie, as well as the Kachina Trail which leads to a thick stand of aspen.

Freidlein Prairie (FR 522) – Accessed via U.S. Highway 180 and up Snowbowl Road approximately two miles, this road is very rough, but offers beautiful views throughout. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended.

Schultz Pass (FR 420) – Accessed via U.S. Highway 180 and Schultz Pass Road, FR 420 takes you through Schultz Pass between the San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Elden. Fall colors can be viewed from the road.

Oak Creek Canyon – Accessed via state Route 89A that runs from Sedona to Flagstaff. Popular destinations include West Fork, which offers a multitude of fall colors along the hiking trail. The road through Oak Creek Canyon is paved and has heavy visitation, so motorists should be aware that heavy and slow traffic is the norm.

Mogollon Rim (FR 300) – Forest Road 300 is located in the southern portion of Coconino National Forest and is accessed via state Route 87 and several other forest roads. FR 300 runs along and atop the Mogollon Rim and boasts incredible fall colors along the route, with even more fall colors on side forest roads FR 308 (Kehl Ridge), FR 95 (Fred Haught Ridge) and FR 139 (Dick Hart Ridge).

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Sep. 30, 2015 — ... maximum capacity of approximately 50 vehicles has been reached in Lockett Meadow

Sept. 30, 2019 — ... maximum capacity of approximately 100 vehicles

Pipeline Fire closure to lift, allowing motor vehicle access in Schultz Pass area once again

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Aug. 15, 2024 — Several roads located in the Schultz Pass area of the Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District will reopen to motorized vehicles tomorrow following a roughly two-year closure due to the Pipeline Fire.

The temporary trail and road closure order for the Pipeline Fire, which has been in effect since September of 2022, will be lifted at 8 a.m. Friday (Aug. 16).

Gates, barricades and signage posted in the area will be modified and removed to reflect the removal of the closure order.

While many roads, including Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road [FR] 420), Elden Springs Road (FR 556) and FR 6064D will reopen to motorized vehicles, Lockett Meadow Road (FR 552) remains severely damaged from post-fire flooding, and will remain closed to motorized vehicles, but open to non-motorized use.

Though post-fire restoration work, conducted in partnership with Coconino County’s Flood Control District, has mitigated several hazards in the Pipeline Fire area, forest visitors should remain cognizant of post-fire hazards and exercise caution while visiting the Pipeline Fire burned area.

Recreators are advised to avoid parking and congregating in tree-heavy areas during periods of high wind due to fire-damaged trees in the burned area. Forest visitors are also advised to be mindful of fire-weakened trees as well as other hazards – such as rolling rocks, falling trees and flood waters – that can trap and injure motorists and pedestrians.

While trails in the area have reopened, several projects (such as reconstruction of the City of Flagstaff waterline along Waterline Road Trail) remain in progress, and area visitors should exercise caution and plan for construction delays.


Several free-use firewood areas located within the area of the closure order are expected to open within the coming weeks to the public. A permit is required to collect free-use firewood.

joebartels wrote:Lockett Meadow Road (FR 552) remains severely damaged from post-fire flooding