Alamo Lake State Park
An oasis for anglers and nature lovers, Alamo Lake offers classic Sonoran Desert scenery and the promise of uncrowded views. Principally a flood control reservoir, the park is located on the Bill Williams River about 30 miles before it enters the Colorado River. An abundance of outdoor activities include wildlife watching and hiking against a backdrop of the picturesque Rawhide and Buckskin mountains. Wildlife include, quail, deer, coyote, bald eagles, and the area's trademark: wild burros. Summer temperatures range from 104 to 113 during the day and upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 70s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: From Wickenburg, take Hwy 60 west to Wenden. Turn north on the Alamo Lake access road and drive 38 miles to the park.
Buckskin Mountain State Park
This state park scenically located between the Buckskin Mountains and the Colorado River attracts both nature lovers and water enthusiasts. Hikers are enticed to explore the area via three developed trails that ascend steep bluffs to panoramic overlooks. The river draws pleasure boaters, water skiers, and swimmers to this 400-foot-elevation recreation area. Summer temperatures average about 106 during the day and the upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: Buckskin Mountain State Park and its associated River Island Unit are approximately 11 miles north of Parker off State Route 95.
Catalina State Park
A vast array of desert plants and wildlife inhabit the foothills, canyons, and streams of this 5,500 acre high desert park at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The landscape invites camping, picnicking, and bird watching - more than 150 species of birds call the park home. An equestrian center provides a staging area for trail riders and plenty of trailer parking too. Miles of equestrian, birding, and hiking trails wind through the park and the Coronado National Forest. Summer temperatures are in the low 90s during the day and upper 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 50s, and nighttime lows are in the mid 30s. Driving directions: Take Hwy 77 north from Tucson about 18 miles.
Cattail Cove State Park
Water recreation has been raised to an art form at Cattail Cove, and is practiced by the devoted all year long. An exceptional park, Cattail Cove has modern lakeside camping facilities. A unique feature of this park is that you can travel to over 140 boat-access-only campsites along the shore of Lake Havasu between Cattail Cove and Windsor Beach. Summer temperatures average about 106 during the day and the upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: The park is accessible off State Route 95, 15 miles south of Lake Havasu City.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Don't be alarmed by its name: the state park is located next to the community of Cottonwood in the scenic Verde Valley, and is alive with animal and human activity. Perhaps best known as a "nest" for bird-watching, the park is also favored for picnicking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, and stream and pond fishing. Walking trails meander along the shady banks of the Verde River. Summer temperatures are in the upper 90s during the day and 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 20s. Driving directions: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Hwy 260, then drive west to Cottonwood. The park is located just northwest of town. From Flagstaff, take Hwy 89A to Hwy 260, then continue to the park via Cottonwood.
Fool Hollow Lake State Park
Year-round camping, fishing, picnicking, boating, and wildlife viewing opportunities make Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area a very popular place. Fool Hollow is located within National Forest Lands on the Lakeside Ranger District near the City of Show Low, Arizona. The Fool Hollow Recreation Area has a 149-acre lake. Show Low Creek flows into Fool Hollow Lake, providing a natural feeding ground for a variety of wildlife and a very diverse fishery. The nearby White Mountain Trail System offers eleven loop trails with over 103 miles of hiking in the adjacent Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Summer temperatures are relatively mild with daytime highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s at night. Winter daytime highs range from the middle to upper 50s, and nighttime lows are in the upper teens or low 20s. Driving directions: The park is located two miles north of US 60 off Hwy 260 in Show Low.
Lake Havasu State Park
There are two distinct units at this water lovers' paradise - Windsor Beach and Cattail Cove. Windsor Beach is a wonderfully developed area in Lake Havasu City just north of the famed London Bridge. Windsor Beach is popular for day use, camping, and launching all varieties of watercraft. Summer temperatures average about 106 during the day and the upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: The park is located on the shores of Lake Havasu City off State Route 95.
Homolovi Ruins State Park
You can see for miles on Arizona 87 as it comes down the flats of the Hopi Reservation. The Hopi called this place Homol'ovi, which means "place of the little hills." Their ancestors came here about 1260 to make a life on the edge of the Little Colorado River, building homes of stone and planting crops.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
The spectacular Kartchner Caverns is Arizona's newest state park. The massive limestone cave has 13,000 feet of passages, and two rooms as long as football fields. Considered a "living cave," intricate formations continue to grow as dripping water slowly deposits minerals. The temperature inside the caverns averages 68 degrees and does not vary by more than 1 degree year-round. Still pristine, this underground wilderness of calcified formations, multi-colored columns and straws is guaranteed to wow visitors. Visitors make the quarter-mile trip to the cavern entrance, cut into a limestone slope, by taking a tram from the Discovery Center. Exhibits at the Discovery Center provide information about how the cavern was formed and its indigenous wildlife (including bats). A multi-screen video recounts how Kartchner was discovered in 1974 and how the park was created. Despite high summertime heat in the surrounding desert, temperatures inside the caverns remain in the upper 60s. Humidity is nearly 100 percent. Driving directions: The caverns are located 9 miles (14 km) south of Interstate-10 in Benson, Arizona. Take Exit 302 (State Highway 90), the Sierra Vista/Fort Huachuca exit.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Since the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine has never been rediscovered, the Superstition Mountains draw adventurers seeking lost gold as well as recreational riches. Situated at the base of the Superstitions, the park is an ideal starting point, fall through spring, for exploration of the Superstition Wilderness. Most visitors camp, picnic, or hike interpretive desert trails. Summer temperatures are in the low 100s during the day and upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: From Phoenix's east valley area, take Hwy 60 east to Apache Junction, then drive five mile northeast on Hwy 88 to Lost Dutchman park.
Lyman Lake State Park
The welcoming committee at Lyman Lake is comprised of a small herd of buffalo that grazes beside the access road. The lake's 6,000 foot elevation and 1,500-acre surface area (there is no size restriction on boats) make it a favorite destination for water sports, camping, fishing and hiking. Anglers are provided a restricted, no-wake area where they fish for channel catfish, walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass. Other park features include a swimming beach, picnic ramadas, boat rentals, and hiking and rock-hounding trails. Summer temperatures are in the upper 80s during the day and 50s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the teens or low 20s. Driving directions: The lake is one mile off U.S. Route 191, about 11 miles south of St. Johns or 18 miles north of Springerville.
Oracle State Park
Arizona's newest state park, Oracle State Park, is located in the foothills of the north face of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The 4,000-acre site was formerly the Kannally Ranch. It offers environmental programs to school and organized education groups. Picnickers, bikers and hikers also are welcome.
Patagonia Lake State Park
At two-and-a-half miles long and 250 surface acres, Patagonia Lake is popular for a variety of recreational activities, including water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. Created by the damming of Sonoita Creek, the lake is filled with bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish, and is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter. Camping ranges from undeveloped spots to sites with water and electric hookups. Park conveniences include picnic ramadas, a swimming beach, and a marina store with boat rentals. Summer temperatures are in the low 90s during the day and low 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 20s. Driving directions: From Tucson, take I-10 east to Hwy 83 and continue south to Sonoita. Take Hwy 82 south through the Coronado National Forest to the park, a few miles southwest of Patagonia.
Picacho Peak State Park
The prominent landmark, Picacho Peak, rises majestically to a height of 1,500 feet above the desert floor, and is a magnet to hikers. The less adventurous stroll along a trail at its base and marvel at the vibrant spectacle of blooming wildflowers which Mother Nature provides every spring. Camping and picnicking are the preferred pastimes here. Summer temperatures are in the low to mid 100s during the day and 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: The park is about 35 miles northwest of Tucson off Interstate 10.
Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education center located just five miles west of Sedona. A wide variety of special programs are available for school groups and private groups, and picnic areas and classrooms may be reserved for public or private functions. Swimming and wading are reserved activities for local wildlife only. As a day-use park only, there are no general overnight camping facilities available. Summer temperatures are in the 90s during the day and 50s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 50s, and nighttime lows are in the low 20s. Driving directions: Red Rock State Park is located 5 miles west of Sedona off highway 89A on the Lower Red Rock Loop Road.
Roper Lake State Park
Located at the foot of Mount Graham, Roper Lake is a haven for fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking and swimming. Pitch a tent on the lake's shore, and enjoy a dip in a hot tub - a rock-lined pool created by park rangers and filled by natural hot springs. A level fishing pad is provided for wheel-chair access. The nearby Dankworth Ponds Unit features crappie as a popular catch. Summer temperatures are in the upper 90s during the day and 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the low 60s, and nighttime lows are in the low 30s. Driving directions: From Phoenix, take Hwy 60 east to Globe, then Hwy 70 to Safford. The park is located about four miles south of Safford off U.S. Route 191.
Slide Rock State Park
Located in what many consider to be Mother Nature's finest playground, Slide Rock State Park is nestled in lush Oak Creek Canyon. The park takes its name from a 30-foot-long water slide worn in the rocks of the creekbed. Fishing, hiking, picnicking and nature-watching take on new dimensions among the canyon's red rock walls and pine forests. A thriving apple orchard is a unique attraction. The state has expanded parking and other facilities used by the waves of visitors who refresh themselves at Slide Rock during summer months. Several Forest Service campgrounds are nearby. Summer temperatures are in the 90s during the day and 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the mid 30s. Driving directions: The park is located seven miles north of Sedona off State Route 89A.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
The world's largest natural travertine bridge (400 feet wide) arches 183 feet above sparkling Pine Creek. Flowing springs and fern-draped grottoes line the narrow canyon upstream and, in a large grassy meadow above the bridge, a restored turn-of-the-century hotel provides a peek at an earlier time. Summer temperatures are in the upper 80s during the day and upper 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the mid 20s. Driving directions: The park is located 13 miles northwest of Payson off Hwy 87.
An oasis for anglers and nature lovers, Alamo Lake offers classic Sonoran Desert scenery and the promise of uncrowded views. Principally a flood control reservoir, the park is located on the Bill Williams River about 30 miles before it enters the Colorado River. An abundance of outdoor activities include wildlife watching and hiking against a backdrop of the picturesque Rawhide and Buckskin mountains. Wildlife include, quail, deer, coyote, bald eagles, and the area's trademark: wild burros. Summer temperatures range from 104 to 113 during the day and upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 70s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: From Wickenburg, take Hwy 60 west to Wenden. Turn north on the Alamo Lake access road and drive 38 miles to the park.
Buckskin Mountain State Park
This state park scenically located between the Buckskin Mountains and the Colorado River attracts both nature lovers and water enthusiasts. Hikers are enticed to explore the area via three developed trails that ascend steep bluffs to panoramic overlooks. The river draws pleasure boaters, water skiers, and swimmers to this 400-foot-elevation recreation area. Summer temperatures average about 106 during the day and the upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: Buckskin Mountain State Park and its associated River Island Unit are approximately 11 miles north of Parker off State Route 95.
Catalina State Park
A vast array of desert plants and wildlife inhabit the foothills, canyons, and streams of this 5,500 acre high desert park at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The landscape invites camping, picnicking, and bird watching - more than 150 species of birds call the park home. An equestrian center provides a staging area for trail riders and plenty of trailer parking too. Miles of equestrian, birding, and hiking trails wind through the park and the Coronado National Forest. Summer temperatures are in the low 90s during the day and upper 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 50s, and nighttime lows are in the mid 30s. Driving directions: Take Hwy 77 north from Tucson about 18 miles.
Cattail Cove State Park
Water recreation has been raised to an art form at Cattail Cove, and is practiced by the devoted all year long. An exceptional park, Cattail Cove has modern lakeside camping facilities. A unique feature of this park is that you can travel to over 140 boat-access-only campsites along the shore of Lake Havasu between Cattail Cove and Windsor Beach. Summer temperatures average about 106 during the day and the upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: The park is accessible off State Route 95, 15 miles south of Lake Havasu City.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Don't be alarmed by its name: the state park is located next to the community of Cottonwood in the scenic Verde Valley, and is alive with animal and human activity. Perhaps best known as a "nest" for bird-watching, the park is also favored for picnicking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, and stream and pond fishing. Walking trails meander along the shady banks of the Verde River. Summer temperatures are in the upper 90s during the day and 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 20s. Driving directions: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Hwy 260, then drive west to Cottonwood. The park is located just northwest of town. From Flagstaff, take Hwy 89A to Hwy 260, then continue to the park via Cottonwood.
Fool Hollow Lake State Park
Year-round camping, fishing, picnicking, boating, and wildlife viewing opportunities make Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area a very popular place. Fool Hollow is located within National Forest Lands on the Lakeside Ranger District near the City of Show Low, Arizona. The Fool Hollow Recreation Area has a 149-acre lake. Show Low Creek flows into Fool Hollow Lake, providing a natural feeding ground for a variety of wildlife and a very diverse fishery. The nearby White Mountain Trail System offers eleven loop trails with over 103 miles of hiking in the adjacent Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Summer temperatures are relatively mild with daytime highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s at night. Winter daytime highs range from the middle to upper 50s, and nighttime lows are in the upper teens or low 20s. Driving directions: The park is located two miles north of US 60 off Hwy 260 in Show Low.
Lake Havasu State Park
There are two distinct units at this water lovers' paradise - Windsor Beach and Cattail Cove. Windsor Beach is a wonderfully developed area in Lake Havasu City just north of the famed London Bridge. Windsor Beach is popular for day use, camping, and launching all varieties of watercraft. Summer temperatures average about 106 during the day and the upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: The park is located on the shores of Lake Havasu City off State Route 95.
Homolovi Ruins State Park
You can see for miles on Arizona 87 as it comes down the flats of the Hopi Reservation. The Hopi called this place Homol'ovi, which means "place of the little hills." Their ancestors came here about 1260 to make a life on the edge of the Little Colorado River, building homes of stone and planting crops.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
The spectacular Kartchner Caverns is Arizona's newest state park. The massive limestone cave has 13,000 feet of passages, and two rooms as long as football fields. Considered a "living cave," intricate formations continue to grow as dripping water slowly deposits minerals. The temperature inside the caverns averages 68 degrees and does not vary by more than 1 degree year-round. Still pristine, this underground wilderness of calcified formations, multi-colored columns and straws is guaranteed to wow visitors. Visitors make the quarter-mile trip to the cavern entrance, cut into a limestone slope, by taking a tram from the Discovery Center. Exhibits at the Discovery Center provide information about how the cavern was formed and its indigenous wildlife (including bats). A multi-screen video recounts how Kartchner was discovered in 1974 and how the park was created. Despite high summertime heat in the surrounding desert, temperatures inside the caverns remain in the upper 60s. Humidity is nearly 100 percent. Driving directions: The caverns are located 9 miles (14 km) south of Interstate-10 in Benson, Arizona. Take Exit 302 (State Highway 90), the Sierra Vista/Fort Huachuca exit.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Since the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine has never been rediscovered, the Superstition Mountains draw adventurers seeking lost gold as well as recreational riches. Situated at the base of the Superstitions, the park is an ideal starting point, fall through spring, for exploration of the Superstition Wilderness. Most visitors camp, picnic, or hike interpretive desert trails. Summer temperatures are in the low 100s during the day and upper 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: From Phoenix's east valley area, take Hwy 60 east to Apache Junction, then drive five mile northeast on Hwy 88 to Lost Dutchman park.
Lyman Lake State Park
The welcoming committee at Lyman Lake is comprised of a small herd of buffalo that grazes beside the access road. The lake's 6,000 foot elevation and 1,500-acre surface area (there is no size restriction on boats) make it a favorite destination for water sports, camping, fishing and hiking. Anglers are provided a restricted, no-wake area where they fish for channel catfish, walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass. Other park features include a swimming beach, picnic ramadas, boat rentals, and hiking and rock-hounding trails. Summer temperatures are in the upper 80s during the day and 50s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the teens or low 20s. Driving directions: The lake is one mile off U.S. Route 191, about 11 miles south of St. Johns or 18 miles north of Springerville.
Oracle State Park
Arizona's newest state park, Oracle State Park, is located in the foothills of the north face of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The 4,000-acre site was formerly the Kannally Ranch. It offers environmental programs to school and organized education groups. Picnickers, bikers and hikers also are welcome.
Patagonia Lake State Park
At two-and-a-half miles long and 250 surface acres, Patagonia Lake is popular for a variety of recreational activities, including water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. Created by the damming of Sonoita Creek, the lake is filled with bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish, and is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter. Camping ranges from undeveloped spots to sites with water and electric hookups. Park conveniences include picnic ramadas, a swimming beach, and a marina store with boat rentals. Summer temperatures are in the low 90s during the day and low 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 20s. Driving directions: From Tucson, take I-10 east to Hwy 83 and continue south to Sonoita. Take Hwy 82 south through the Coronado National Forest to the park, a few miles southwest of Patagonia.
Picacho Peak State Park
The prominent landmark, Picacho Peak, rises majestically to a height of 1,500 feet above the desert floor, and is a magnet to hikers. The less adventurous stroll along a trail at its base and marvel at the vibrant spectacle of blooming wildflowers which Mother Nature provides every spring. Camping and picnicking are the preferred pastimes here. Summer temperatures are in the low to mid 100s during the day and 70s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 60s, and nighttime lows are in the upper 30s. Driving directions: The park is about 35 miles northwest of Tucson off Interstate 10.
Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education center located just five miles west of Sedona. A wide variety of special programs are available for school groups and private groups, and picnic areas and classrooms may be reserved for public or private functions. Swimming and wading are reserved activities for local wildlife only. As a day-use park only, there are no general overnight camping facilities available. Summer temperatures are in the 90s during the day and 50s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the upper 50s, and nighttime lows are in the low 20s. Driving directions: Red Rock State Park is located 5 miles west of Sedona off highway 89A on the Lower Red Rock Loop Road.
Roper Lake State Park
Located at the foot of Mount Graham, Roper Lake is a haven for fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking and swimming. Pitch a tent on the lake's shore, and enjoy a dip in a hot tub - a rock-lined pool created by park rangers and filled by natural hot springs. A level fishing pad is provided for wheel-chair access. The nearby Dankworth Ponds Unit features crappie as a popular catch. Summer temperatures are in the upper 90s during the day and 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the low 60s, and nighttime lows are in the low 30s. Driving directions: From Phoenix, take Hwy 60 east to Globe, then Hwy 70 to Safford. The park is located about four miles south of Safford off U.S. Route 191.
Slide Rock State Park
Located in what many consider to be Mother Nature's finest playground, Slide Rock State Park is nestled in lush Oak Creek Canyon. The park takes its name from a 30-foot-long water slide worn in the rocks of the creekbed. Fishing, hiking, picnicking and nature-watching take on new dimensions among the canyon's red rock walls and pine forests. A thriving apple orchard is a unique attraction. The state has expanded parking and other facilities used by the waves of visitors who refresh themselves at Slide Rock during summer months. Several Forest Service campgrounds are nearby. Summer temperatures are in the 90s during the day and 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the mid 30s. Driving directions: The park is located seven miles north of Sedona off State Route 89A.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
The world's largest natural travertine bridge (400 feet wide) arches 183 feet above sparkling Pine Creek. Flowing springs and fern-draped grottoes line the narrow canyon upstream and, in a large grassy meadow above the bridge, a restored turn-of-the-century hotel provides a peek at an earlier time. Summer temperatures are in the upper 80s during the day and upper 60s at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50s, and nighttime lows are in the mid 20s. Driving directions: The park is located 13 miles northwest of Payson off Hwy 87.
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