28 September 2018 HAPPY JACK DISCOVER NEW PLACES TO SEE AND UNIQUE THINGS TO DO Outdoor Recreation ALONG THE MOGOLLON RIM Our second destination on our THE TINY COMMUNITY OF HAPPY JACK located about 50 miles south of Flagstaff, makes a central location for enjoying the area's abundant outdoor activities. Located near the White Mountains in eastern Arizona, Happy Jack is part of the Mogollon Rim, a long ponderosa pine-filled plateau that stretches almost 200 miles into the central part of the state. Much of the forested, mountainous area around the community is part of the Coconino National Forest where outdoor recreation awaits. There are a number of exciting things to do in Happy Jack. From historical sites to cultural attractions, explore the exhaustive list of all other local attractions in Happy Jack. Discover new places to see and unique things to do nearby Happy Jack. Don't miss out on these amazing sights at Happy Jack. CAMPING Happy Jack RV & Lodge (happyjacklodge.com) provides both RV and tent campsites spread out over 72 acres of land along the Mogollon Rim. The campground, located in Happy Jack, makes a central location from which to enjoy the area's other activities. The campground includes a playground, volleyball court, and horseshoe pits. Amenities include showers, laundry facilities, and an on-site restaurant. Other camping options include sites at Rock Crossing Campground near Blue Ridge Reservoir in Coconino National Forest (fs.fed.us). Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring and a cooking grill with vault toilets and water spigots scattered throughout the campground. FISHING The Blue Ridge Reservoir, now known as C.C. Cragin Reservoir, in Coconino National Forest (fs. fed.us), lays less than a 45-minute drive from Happy Jack. Although the reservoir resembles more of a river than a lake, it provides a scenic, wooded setting for fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout. The lake is regularly stocked with the trout by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. A boat ramp along the reservoir gives you a place to launch canoes, kayaks or motorboats up to 10 horsepower for more access to the lake. WILDLIFE VIEWING Mormon Lake in Coconino National Forest, the largest natural lake in the state, makes a wildlife- filled destination less than 30 miles from Happy Jack. The lake itself offers bald eagles and ospreys a place to nest and fish. Herds of elk and pronghorn antelope graze along the edges of the forest and in the meadows near the lake. Launching a boat on the lake gives you more opportunities to spot wildlife or to fish. HIKING Part of the 800-mile Arizona Trail (aztrail.org) that takes you from Utah to Mexico goes through the area. The moderately difficult 16.1-mile Passage No. 28 -- Blue Ridge portion of the trail starts less than 45 minutes from Happy Jack and eventually leads you to Blue Ridge Reservoir. The trail follows the wooded General Springs Canyon until it reaches the west side of the canyon and continues on a two-track road. Eventually, the trail makes a sharp ascent of the creek that flows upstream of the Blue Ridge Reservoir. The trail passes through the Blue Ridge Campground, a convenient place to spend the night if you backpack along the entire trail. Arizona Trail Blue Ridge--Heading north from the intersection of Highway 87 and FR 138, (Hay Meadow Trailhead) the Happy Jack passage of the Arizona Trail stretches across forests of ponderosa and pinyon pines and junipers with a drop down into Jacks Canyon for a couple miles. For opportunities to see pronghorn and elk, this passage takes you past stock ponds and springs, across rocky flats and finally works its way up to Allan Lake at Forest Highway 3. TownMapUSA.com