With its high elevation and cool summer breezes it is a popular weekend destination from the hot desert for Phoenix, Arizona, residents.

The area has been managed under the highest level of forest service protection to maintain its wilderness qualities.

It was recommended that this area be included in the Blue Range Wilderness in 1971, but in 1980 Congress only acted upon an adjacent New Mexico portion within Gila National Forest.

[4][5] About 18 miles southwest of Alpine, Arizona is the Hannagan Meadow area with a lodge, trailheads, and campground.

[6] Another story suggests that Toles Cosper, a rancher from over to Luna, was riding with the young Hannagan when they came across the meadow during the 1870s.

[7] In 1909, while surveying for US Route 191, John D. Guthrie observed that "there was neither fence nor cabin at Hannagan Meadow.

"[8] However, with the advent of road construction on the Coronado Trail Road (later Coronado Trail Scenic Byway) tourism became a possibility, and Toles Cosper's son, DeWitt Cosper, built a lodge there in 1926.

[7] The Hannagan Meadow Lodge provided tourists and travelers with rental cabins, single rooms for rent and a general store.

The first and last average freeze dates are June 3 and September 25, giving Hannagan Meadows a growing season of 114 days.