Eagar is the gateway to a White Mountain adventure. Many people have journeyed to this high country destination to enjoy it natural and cultural qualities, whether in search of outdoor fun or relaxation. Today Eagar’s population is 4,560. The town sits at an elevation of 7,114 feet. The climate is cool all year round with a winter low temperature of 21 degrees and a summer high temperature of 90 degrees. Eagar enjoys experiencing the four seasons. The tradition of ranching and trading are still very much alive in this town.
You will find several unique attractions in and around Eagar. Little House Museum is a special place. The museum displays many treasures from the town’s past. There is a terrific collection of music boxes and a rare Violin Virtuoso. The museum is only 7 miles east of Eagar at the X Diamond Ranch. Round Valley Ensphere is the only high school domed football stadium in the United States.
The Ensphere is a multi-use facility covering 120,000 square feet and reaching 104 feet high. The dome is available in the mornings for walks and tours can be scheduled. Casa Malpais Indian Ruins is an archaeological park. The ruins are from the Mogollon Indian Culture, including the Sinagua, Anasazi, Hohokam and Mogollon Indians.
One outstanding outdoor activity is a scenic drive. The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway travels between the towns of Morenci and Springerville, along with U.S. Highway 180 or 191. Francisco Vasques de Coronado first used the trail in 1420, during his search of the Seven Cities of Cibola. The drive passes by gorgeous landscapes and through dangerous switchbacks. It is one drive you will want to make.
Eagar’s southern border is the 2,112,985-acre Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest which contains four rivers, 24 lakes, and reservoirs, 680 miles of trout streams, as well as primitive areas for pack trips and hiking and hunting for big and small game. There are prehistoric cliff dwellings, scenic meadows, ghost towns, mining communities and scenic mountain drives. Sunrise Ski & Recreation Park, owned by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, is 20 miles southwest of Eagar. It offers skiing and sledding, sightseeing and activities for year-round recreation. Alpine and Greer, each approximately 20 miles from Eagar, have three supervised cross-country ski trails of varying difficulty. U.S. Highway 180-191 has been officially designated “Coronado Trail.” The historic and scenic qualities of this route will enhance any motorist’s enjoyment of the area. The Little Colorado River originates in Greer 14 miles west and flows through Eagar on its way north and west to the Grand Canyon. Along the river are deer, elk, antelope, small game, and birds.
Eagar, located on the northeast slopes of the White Mountains, is set against a national forest of ponderosa pines. Its history dates to the late 1800s when John Thomas Eagar, his brothers Joel and William, and the Robertson family homesteaded in Round Valley. In 1888, the town, 221 miles northeast of Phoenix at an elevation of 7,000 feet, was established under the name Union to unify the small settlements in the area. The name was changed to Eagar in 1892, the Post Office was established in 1888, and the town incorporated in 1948. Eagar is on U.S. 180, the direct link between-40 and I-10, at its junction with U.S. 60.
For many years, agriculture and trading were the focus of the area. The construction of two power plants, the start of a sawmill and other timber-related industries, and the growing tourism/recreation trade has broadened the southern Apache County economic base. Ranching is the primary agricultural activity in Apache County with more than 73,000 head of cattle grazing on private ranches and State/Federal lands. Hay production along the Little Colorado River system produces 19,500 tons on 5,500 acres. The Salt River Project’s Coronado Generating Station employs290; Century’s Springer Ville Generating Station employs 200 people, and the Stone Container sawmill in Eagar employs 117 people. In addition, the United States Forest Service employs 106 permanent and 47 temporary workers. Eagar is in the center of the White Mountain Recreation Area. Tourist activity from winter sports, hunting, fishing and summer visitors brings approximately 100,000 people to the national forest, making the trade and services sector vital to the economy. All of Apache County is a designated Enterprise Zone.
Events:
Annual Eagar Daze August
History:
The purpose of creating the town of Eagar was to combine all the settlements in the area and place it under the Union’s name. The community began in 1887 with John Thomas Eagar, his brothers Joel and William and the Robertson family. The name Eagarville was chosen to honor the three brothers who helped found the community. It wasn’t until the establishment of the post office, that the town of was created in 1888.
By 1892, the name was shorted to Eagar. Eagar was incorporated in 1948. Today, the town continues the strong tradition of ranching and trading. Tourism is a popular industry because of the town’s location, along with the northeast slopes of the White Mountains.
Nearby
Greer Arizona
Greer is a summer and winter visitor, outdoor recreational center in the heart of the White Mountains in eastern Arizona. It sits at an elevation of 8,500 feet. The Willard Lee family arrived in Greer in 1879 and named it Lee Valley. In 1898, when a post office was established, the name was changed to Greer in honor of a leading citizen, Americus Vespucius
Greer. The Apache County community is unincorporated.
The economy of Greer is heavily oriented toward serving tourists and recreation seekers, as well as area summer homeowners. With more than 90 percent employment in the trade and services sector, Greer’s tourist-related activities provide substantial opportunities for area residents. Local sources estimate that roughly 200,000 people visit
the Greer area from July through September.
Summer is the height of the tourist season, but winter sporting
activities now draw increasing numbers of enthusiasts. Greer is fast
becoming a year-round destination point as people discover the
beauty of Arizona’s high-country and the renewing pleasure of having
four seasons from which to choose outdoor recreational activities.
The Greer Cross Country Ski Trails, along with Sunrise Park Resort,
a winter sports complex 18 miles from Greer are attracting skiers
from Arizona and adjoining states with their well-developed slopes
and facilities. Some residents also travel to Show Low, Pinetop,
Springerville or Eagar for employment.
Greer is surrounded by beautiful pine forests, laced with numerous
mountain streams and sparkling lakes. Fishermen have three
Greer lakes to choose from in addition to Big Lake, Crescent Lake,
Lee Valley Lake, Sunrise Lake, and many others.
Horseback riding, sailing, biking, canoeing and mushroom hunting
are popular in the area during summer, a time which also provides
excellent opportunities for photography, bird watching, rock collecting, and hiking. Numerous scenic drives are available year-round.
Hunting elk, deer, bear, antelope, mountain lion, turkey, and grouse
is permitted with a license.
The winter months provide cross-country skiing, downhill skiing,
horse drawn sleighing, sledding, snowmobile, ice fishing and skating.
Instruction is available for downhill and cross-country skiing. The
Sunrise Park Resort, near 10,700-foot Mt. Ord, offers 11 lifts and
two T-bars serving 65 trails on a variety of slopes. The ski lodge has
92 rooms available. The complex is owned and operated by the
White Mountain Apache Tribe.
The Greer Lakes Recreation Area (8-mile radius of Greer) has four
campgrounds with 205 campsites. Fishing is available at all
the campgrounds. There are additional maintained campgrounds
within a half-hour, the drive of Greer in the National Forest.
Alpine Arizona
Many folks think of the desert when they think of the southwest. Alpine shows us another part of Arizona.
The settlement gets its name from the high mountains nearby. This village, located as far to Arizona’s east as one can go before crossing into New Mexico is cool and comfortable. The temperature makes Alpine a huge hit with retirees who want to live in the southwest but who do not want all the heat, and with those who like outdoors recreation at altitude.
The area has some great golfing. The Alpine Country Club offers 18 holes of golf set amongst the pines as well as a driving range, practice green, and fine restaurant.
If leisurely recreation among the tall, cool pines sounds right to you then pay a visit to Alpine sometime soon.
Alpine History
In 1876, Anderson Bush was the first settler in the area. He built a series of low roofed log cabins and placed them in a circle. The walls of the cabins had portholes. These portholes were used for firing guns at attacking Indians. The settlement was known as Fort Bush. The Fort was eventually torn down in 1884, but a Fort Bush Monument was established in 1953 to honor the early pioneers.
then in 1879, Mormon settlers came to this area to build a community. They bought the land claims from Bush. The leader of the Mormon group was Fred Hamblin. Hamblin was the brother of the famous missionary and scout, Jacob Hamblin. The settlers named the town Frisco, in honor of the nearby San Francisco River. Eventually, the name was changed to Alpine because the White Mountains surrounding the town resembled the Alps.
Camping
Nearby hiking trails and scenic drives, close to the primitive area and wilderness At 9100 feet, this is one of the highest campgrounds in Arizona. With that in mind, you might suspect that it’s cool up here. And you’d be right, deliciously cool–when it’s hot everywhere else. You might also suspect that the surroundings are alpine. Right again! High country tree species such as Colorado Blue and Engelmann spruce, sub alpine and cork bark fir and quaking aspen shade these campgrounds. The understory is made up of plants you might more readily expect to run across in Canada or the American northwest. Two species of columbine, several hard to find orchids, and some of Arizona’s best mushrooming can be found here. The wildlife species you’ll see here are high country dwellers too. Elk, mule deer and wild turkey make regular appearances in the meadows and forests that surround Hannagan and KP Cienega. Black bear sightings happen frequently enough not to be considered rare, but don’t worry, these bears are wild. They want to get close to you even less than you want to get up close and personal with them. In the trees, you’ll see Abert squirrels and Steller Jays, and if you have a sharp eye you might catch a glimpse of a rare northern goshawk.
Hannagan is situated in a tall, mature forest with trees towering over the campsites. And there’s a picturesque little resort and restaurant nearby too, where you can escape your own cooking or pick up a few things you might have forgotten to bring.
The campsite has access to a wonderful network of hiking trails that wander all through this high forest and beyond — all the way down to the bottom of Blue River Canyon in the middle of the Blue Primitive area. And if that’s not enough hiking for you, it’s only a few miles to Bear Wallow Wilderness area where you’ll find native trout swimming in the streams and even more backcountry to explore.
Notes:
No hookups
Pets must be restrained or on a leash
Lodge and restaurant at nearby Hannagan Meadow
Campground hosts available May thru September
Elevation: 8900 feet to 9300 feet
Description: Pleasantly cool temperatures and some of the finest alpine scenery in the Southwest are the main attractions for an easy ride over varied terrain. Tall trees and mountain meadows colored with wildflowers set the backdrop while a nearby rustic log cabin resort adds a touch of history to the atmosphere. This is an especially scenic ride in the Fall when the aspens turn to gold. You have a good chance to see turkey, elk, deer, bear, and Abert squirrels, too.
This ride is conveniently accessible from both Hannagan Meadow Lodge and Hannagan Campground. The route follows a power line for awhile but the majority of the loop is along primitive two-track roads or gravel roads. A longer 17-mile loop is possible by incorporating sections of Forest Roads 24 and 25 into this ride. This extended loop takes you through more of the same scenic forests and meadows but the roads are more heavily traveled. It also requires 5 miles of riding along Highway 191 to return to the trailhead.
Notes:
All road junctions are marked with blue diamond markers
Trail Log:
0.0 Junction with Forest Road 576 and Highway 191
0.1 Powerline, turn right and follow blue markers
1.1 Junction with a marked, two-track road; turn left
2.5 Marked junction, turn right
4.5 Corral, turn right to the power line and follow the powerline road
5.3 Hannagan Meadow Lodge
USGS Maps: Hannagan Meadow – 302NE
Access: From Alpine drive 22 miles south on Highway 191 to Forest Road 576 (a quarter of a mile north of Hannagan Meadow). The ride begins here and in a short distance turns right along a power line. From Hannagan Meadow Lodge ride north on Highway 191 to Forest Road 576 to begin the ride.
Essay on Eagar Arizona
Arizona is my home, Eagar, Arizona that is. Eagar is a beautiful little community in the northeast part of the state. John, William, and Joel Eagar, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints settled Eagar in 1879. Eagar is in the White Mountains. The White Mountains are covered with ponderosa pines and snow lies on the higher peaks for most of the year. There are herds of cattle and sheep on the lower slopes of the mountains. The Little Colorado River and its tributaries are used for irrigating crops and to beautify our lands. Eagar is near several lakes, beautiful mountains, a ski resort and a new golf course. There is excellent trout fishing in the streams and wild game, including elk, deer, antelope, and turkey which make the surrounding country a sportsman’s paradise. People come from all over the nearby states to hunt, fish and to see the changing colors of the Aspen leaves in the fall.
Eagar is also home to the only high school dome. Football is played in the dome and it is used for school and community events. High school teams from all over Arizona and New Mexico use it in the summer to get away from the heat. We are very fortunate to have this facility because we have some harsh weather from October until March.
Eagar is special to me because it was where my mother, father and I were raised. It is a very small community of about 6,000 people. My mother’s family, the Phelps, moved to Eagar in 1968 and they are prominent in the community. I was lucky enough to have a lot of families nearby while growing up. I love having lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby. I know that many care for me. We get together weekly to visit and monthly for a big dinner and activities. We all support each other. Some people think that is a bad thing for everyone to know each other. I love it and thought it was a great advantage because the people take care of one another. Now that I am in a big city, I feel like I don’t know anyone. I am slowly but surely building new friendships but I can’t wait to finish college and move back to the rural community of Eagar.
Eagar is unique because it is an old-fashioned little town. You feel safe at all times. You don’t even have to lock your doors. People are always concerned about their neighbors. You don’t hear about the many murders or drug arrests that occur in the big city. I am looking forward to someday returning to Eagar, Arizona and raising my own family.
Eagar, Arizona, is the only place for me, that is where I want to return. I want to go back to Eagar and live in a small town and teach is a small school. Eagar, Arizona is home to me.