Bureau of Land Management - Arizona

June is Great Outdoors Month! 🌲✨

It's the perfect time to step outside and explore our breathtaking public lands. From rugged deserts and wild rivers to scenic trails, starry skies, and vast open spaces, America’s public lands are brimming with opportunities for adventure, connection, and discovery.

Whether you're hiking, camping, paddling, volunteering, or simply soaking in a peaceful sunset, we invite you to experience the beauty of the outdoors responsibly this summer. 🌄💚

Where will your next adventure take you?

Picture walking a trail, dropping your kids off at school, or simply knowing your community’s trash has a responsible place to go — and realizing each exists thanks to a century‑old law that helps public land serve public needs.

Across Arizona, these everyday experiences share a connection: the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. It’s the public land powerhouse you’ve likely never heard of.

Originally enacted by Congress in 1926, the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, as amended, has helped qualified local government and nonprofit organizations to access Bureau of Land Management public lands for important projects that their communities need. Through this law, organizations are able to lease or purchase federal public lands at reduced or no cost to build parks, schools, police and fire stations, and other essential public services.

With over 100 active leases covering nearly 28,000 acres, the Act’s footprint stretches across the state — supporting everything from fire stations to classrooms. The BLM has also issued more than 260 patents in Arizona, representing more than 120,000 acres dedicated to long‑term public benefit.

Some examples include Lost Dutchman State Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Vulture Mountain Recreation Area, Skyline Regional Park, and more!

Read more on our blog: https://ow.ly/xjA150Z6jjV

Photo courtesy of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation.

Hey parents! Did you know your fourth-grade student is eligible for an annual pass to America’s public lands? With school almost out for the summer, it's the perfect time to get the pass.

The Every Kid Outdoors pass allows fourth graders and their families to receive free entrance to federal public lands and waters during their fourth grade school year (September-August).

To do this, log on to everykidoutdoors.gov with your student, complete an activity and then download and print your pass voucher. Redeem the printed voucher for the pass at thousands of federal public land sites throughout the country.

Attention Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area visitors!

Work in the recreation area is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and is expected to conclude in January 2027. We ask that the public plan to pack out their trash, respect construction activities, and avoid active construction areas.

The site will remain open, but visitors should expect periodic impacts to amenities such as trash receptacles, vault toilets, and developed campsites during construction. Activities like dispersed camping, off-roading, and hiking will continue to be widely available across most of the area.

➡️ Wondering what is planned? The Safford Field Office is planning work through the Great American Outdoors Act to repair and replace recreation facilities and roads in the recreation area near Safford. The work includes upgrading camping areas, completing a campground host site, relocating hot tubs to avoid flood damage, and improving roads and walkways for better access.

Read the announcement: https://ow.ly/rbR950Z5IkJ

For more information, please contact the Safford Field Office at [email protected] or 928-348-4400.

Photo of improved access via Haekel Road through funding from the Great American Outdoors Act.

Celebrating 100 years of the “Mother Road’ U.S. Route 66 in northwestern Arizona ✨🚗

The Bureau of Land Management Kingman Field Office manages extensive public lands in northwestern Arizona across a 42-mile section of this rugged and scenic 158-mile corridor.

This corridor encompasses one of the longest remaining continuous stretches of historic U.S. Route 66 in the nation. On these public lands, the Mother Road is largely intact and fully drivable.

As it winds through the region, it connects historic communities and offers visitors an authentic experience of U.S. Route 66’s original alignment.

Read more: https://ow.ly/qcBc50Z5oXP

Get involved during : https://ow.ly/wlrS50Z5oXO

Photo by Jason VanBuskirk/Bureau of Land Management.

The U.S. Department of the Interior recently transferred a wildland fire engine as part of its Rural Fire Readiness program, to the Mescal – J6 Fire District located in Cochise County.

In southern Arizona, where dry conditions demand quick action in the wildland-urban interface, collaborative efforts such as this are essential for a safe and effective response.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/fSqT50Z4Oap

U.S. Wildland Fire Service
Mescal-J6 Fire District

DOI transfers wildland fire engine to Mescal-J6 Fire District | Bureau of Land Management DOI transfers wildland fire engine to Mescal-J6 Fire District in southern Arizona as part of the Rural Fire Readiness program.

U.S. Wildland Fire Service resources remain on scene at the near Mittry Lake Boat Ramp 2. The fire is 70% contained, with forward progress stopped at approximately 184 acres. Smoke may remain visible as interior pockets continue to burn. Firefighters will remain in the area throughout the week.

There are currently no road or boat ramp closures. Fire managers ask the public to avoid the area and use caution if smoke affects visibility.

Arizona uses the Ready, Set, Go! program to help residents prepare for emergencies like wildfires and floods. This system is easy to understand and can make a big difference when every minute counts.

➡️ READY means prepare now and be aware of the hazards that can threaten your area.
➡️ SET means be alert and prepared to leave. To be SET, you should: have your emergency go kit handy, have a plan for evacuation, and stay updated on local alerts and news.
➡️ GO! means to evacuate NOW. Grab your emergency kit and use designated evacuation routes to relocate outside of the area.

If you are not familiar with Ready, Set, Go!, you can learn about the program and prepare your household at ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Many Arizona counties and tribes have a system in place designed to quickly notify an affected area of an emergency by sending a voice or text message to you. Sign up for emergency alerts in your area.

Graphic via the Emergency Information Network.

Earlier this month, U.S. Wildland Fire Service staff at the Bureau of Land Management Phoenix District Office celebrated the latest class of students from Franklin Police & Fire High School to graduate from the basic firefighter training program.

Twenty-three students completed training and are now ready to apply to work as type 2 wildland firefighters!

For more than 20 years, the BLM Phoenix District has partnered with the Phoenix Union High School District to provide training and educational opportunities for high school students exploring career fields in firefighting. The partnership has been one of service with an eye to the future of wildland fire.

Learn more:

BLM, U.S. Wildland Fire Service celebrate more than 20 years of wildland fire training partnership with Phoenix schools | Bureau of Land Management The BLM Phoenix District partners with the Phoenix Union High School District to provide training and education for high school students exploring career fields in firefighting.

Community action is making a real impact in Arizona!

As part of the Bureau of Land Management’s Freedom 250 initiative, volunteers, BLM staff, and Arizona Game and Fish Department teamed up at Fortuna Pond near Yuma on April 25. They cleared debris and trash — including a dumped refrigerator — filled dumpsters and trailers, restored habitat health, and improved access for visitors.

This stewardship event highlights how teamwork and shared responsibility keep public lands thriving! Want to join in? Look up volunteer opportunities near you: https://ow.ly/wcl350Z2Zz3

Every hour of service helps preserve public lands for future generations.

Read more about this event on our blog: https://ow.ly/8H8n50Z2Zz4

Photos by the Bureau of Land Management.