Our goal is to keep you updated on the news and events that are impacting the Verde Hot Springs and surrounding area.

HYDRO-PLANTS TO CLOSE
It is now official. The Irving and Childs Power-plants are to cease operations on December 31, 2004.

A primary reason for the closure of the hydro-plants is to return the water supplying them to Fossil Creek. This is part of a plan designed to enhance the Scenic and Wilderness nature of the Verde River.

Not everyone is pleased with these plans. Campers expressed concerns regarding the water exiting the flumes. Cutting off the water will mean destruction of rare desert habitat. Summer campers will especially miss the waterfalls and pools.

VERDE SWELTERS
Record temperatures are expected this second week of July.

Temperatures in June were between ninety-five and one-hundred-and-five degrees on the average day. This month temperatures are likely to soar well above one-hundred-ten degrees.

Visitors to the Hot Springs best go early in the day, or wait until the sun has set.

FIRES BANNED
As summer temperatures soar, the need for fire restrictions become necessary once again. Though we are on a river, the surrounding vegetation is getting drier and drier.

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. Propane and fuel appliances, such as stoves and lanterns, are allowed.

BOTH ROADS OPEN
There are two ways to reach Forest Road 502, which brings you to Childs Campground. From the campground it is about one mile upstream to the hot springs.

Forest Road 502 connects to Forest Road 708. FR 708 can be found six miles east of Camp Verde by turning right off Route 260. FR 708 can also be reached from Strawberry, AZ. This road is still open despite the fact that most of Tonto National Forest is closed due to fire restrictions.

STINKY
Had a lady camper report that she was sprayed by skunks. What she thought in the dark were "puppies," turned out to be a family of skunks. Neither party to the encounter found the experience very pleasant.

Skunks at the Childs Campground are known for being especially aggressive.They are best kept at a distance by keeping your distance.

SMOKING TOO!
Most folks don't realize that the current fire regulations also include rules about smoking.

Smokers are allowed to smoke in their vehicles. Here at Childs Campground you can smoke on clear ground. This would normally be at your campsite.

Smoking along the trails to the hot springs is especially dangerous right now due to the dry conditions.

Speaking of trails, most folks are reaching the hot springs by walking along the Tonto side of the river. This route puts you in the river three times, which is refreshing in the summer. First crossing is at Childs campground.

GETTING NAKED
Since this issue has a lot of info about rules, let's talk about "naked." You can be naked in any National Forest anywhere, unless they have a special rule saying you can't.

Guess what folks, we got a special CFR saying we can't get naked in the Childs campground. Happened in 1997, because some guys couldn't keep their clothes on in front of some young daughters whose dads got the rule passed.

The CFR says no nudity in Sections Ten and Eleven of the Verde Hot Springs Quadrangle. That is the campground on both sides of the river. The hot springs are in Section Three and is clothing optional.:-)

NEW PIX
There is a new photo gallery in current production that will go online shortly with a wonderful series of Verde photos.

These photos will include hot springs artwork and a four seasons view of the past year on the Verde River.

STAY CONNECTED
Our editorial approach to the issues effecting the Verde Hot Springs are meant to take all viewpoints into consideration.We plan to provide you with the most up to date information available.

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