State Parks

Nestled in the Bill Williams River Valley in Western Arizona, Alamo Lake State Park is Arizona's best-kept secret. Due to its remote location, Alamo Lake's pristine water, mountainous terrain, and camping facilities are ideal for peaceful outdoor adventures. Not only is the park known for its premier bass fishing, but its abundant wildlife (including bald eagles) makes the park popular among nature enthusiasts. Away from city lights, the park's clear night sky offers stargazers incredible views.

Founded by Col. William Boyce Thompson, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden, encompassing 323 acres of the Sonoran Desert. Visitors can experience the park's abundance of wildlife, which includes over 2600 species of plants, 270 species of birds, as well as bobcats and Gila monsters. Numerous trails lead to greenhouses, various exhibits, and a demonstration garden. Along these trails, visitors can view mountain cliffs, a streamside forest, and even a hidden canyon.

Arizona is a land of striking contrasts, where red-rock deserts, deep canyons, pine forests, and iconic landscapes define the Southwest.

Buckskin Mountain State Park in Parker, Arizona is a picturesque location for all outdoor enthusiasts. Located along the Colorado River between the Parker Dam and Headgate Dam, visitors can enjoy views of the Buckskin Mountains, native flora and wildlife that includes bobcats, desert iguanas, and varieties of fish. The park offers hiking trails, fishing, boating, and camping. Other amenities include a beach, picnic area, playground, a basketball and volleyball court, and a restaurant.

Catalina State Park is home to approximately 5,000 saguaros and 150 species of birds. The many miles of trails are perfect for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. The park provides an equestrian center equipped with a staging area and ample trailer parking. The park is nestled at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, merging with the Coronado National Forest and only minutes away from Tucson.

Located on the shore of Lake Havasu, Cattail Cove State Park is 19 miles from Lake Havasu City in southern Mohave County. The park is a paradise for water activity enthusiasts, and the lake is 45 miles long! Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing the lake's variety of aquatic species, including bass, crappie, catfish, and carp. When the sun goes down, visitors can enjoy an overnight stay at the park's boat-in campsites.

With the backdrop of a quiet desert landscape, Dankworth Pond State Park's peaceful setting invites visitors to swim, boat, and fish. Not only is the pond full of aquatic life, but bird watchers can enjoy viewing quails, blackbirds, owls, ducks, and herons. The 1.75-mile Dos Arroyos Trail provides the chance to see bobcats and other wildlife while leading to a re-created Native American village. Dankworth Pond is located in Safford, Arizona minutes away from Roper Lake State Park.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park hosts the annual four-day Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival as well as the Verde River Day. The 423-acre park has over 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Visitors can camp in tents, RVs, or rent one of the eight cabins, which are equipped with air conditioning and heat. Dead Horse Ranch is located in Cottonwood, Arizona, adjacent to Coconino National Forest along the Verde River Greenway.

Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial is a touching tribute to the 19 firefighters who lost their lives battling the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. The memorial sits on 320 acres of land in Yarnell, with mountain views bordering the 7-mile-long trail. Visitors can pay their respects at the remembrance wall, or continue hiking the Memorial Trail for another 3.5 miles to the Fatality Site where the Hotshots were recovered.

Homolovi State Park, or "place of the little hills," in the Hopi language, is known for its preservation of over 300 Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in Winslow, Arizona. Visitors can learn about the Hopi tribe and the Hisat'sinom by viewing the museum's historical exhibits and taking part in the interpretive programs. The park features peaceful trails and campsites on 4,000 acres of land. Homolovi is an excellent place for birdwatchers to enjoy hawks, golden eagles, ravens, and much more. Elk, prairie dogs, and cougars can also be spotted.

Visitors can explore the natural wonders of Kartchner Caverns State Park through 2.4 miles of passages. Located at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains, Kartchner Caverns is carved out of limestone, is filled with speleothems that have been growing for over 50,000 years, as has other dynamic geological formations like helicities and stalactites. In the spring, the caverns are home to nearly 2,000 bats which campers can view flying in the clear night sky. Much of the above and below ground areas of the part are handicapped accessible.

With scenic beaches, numerous campsites, and nature trails, Lake Havasu State Park is a premier destination for nature lovers. Visitors can spend their time swimming, fishing, and boating on the peaceful water of Lake Havasu. The 1.75-mile Mohave Sunset Trail is a perfect hike for wildlife viewing. Some of the local animals include bobcats, roadrunners, and coyotes. Sightings of various bird and lizard species are common in the Arroyo-Camino Interpretive Garden.

Lost Dutchman State Park is a trailhead for many nature trails in the Sonoran Desert, making it a haven for hikers. The park features trails of all levels, from the easy Native Plant Trail to the challenging Siphon Draw Trail. Many of the trails lead into the Superstition Wilderness and Tonto National Forest. Within the park's 320 acres, sightings of mule deer, coyotes, javelins, and jackrabbits are common. The park also features campsites and a bicycle trail.

Oracle State Park is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge and center for environmental education in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Wildlife here includes golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, cougars, javalinas, western box turtles, and western diamondback rattlesnakes. Visitors can enjoy the many wildflowers and cacti along the park's 15 miles of trails. Interactive educational programs are available as well as a museum in the historic Kanally Ranch House. Oracle is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.

Patagonia Lake State Park is a popular location for nature enthusiasts in southeastern Arizona. Visitors can relax, swim, boat or catch a variety of fish along the 2.5-mile-long lake. The lake has beaches, a marina, and campsites. While hiking the many trails at the park, whitetail deer can be spotted roaming the hills. The New Mexico / Arizona railroad tracks lie beneath the lake, and remnants of the railroad can be viewed at the Nature Conservancy.

Picacho Peak State Park is home to the prominent Picacho Peak landmark, which stands 1,500 feet tall. Hikers can challenge themselves by hiking to the top of the peak to enjoy the scenic views of the Sonoran Desert to the west, the Santa Catalina Mountains to the south, Newman Peak and Tabletop Mountain to the east, and the many mountains surrounding Phoenix to the north. In the spring, wildflowers bloom along the peak, making it a beautiful place for camping and picnicking.

With striking views of a red sandstone canyon, Cathedral Rock, and the Mongolian Rim, Red Rock State Park is a popular destination near Sedona. The day-use park strives to preserve and educate the public on its riparian habitat that is home to Arizona sycamores, velvet ash, rare native fish, several frog species, and the threatened Sonora mud turtle. The park hosts daily and weekly events and offers a classroom, theater, visitor center, store, and hiking trails that wind through beautiful scenery.

Against a backdrop of desert and mountains, the River Island State Park is a popular, year-round destination for water sports, fishing, and camping. In the summer, visitors can enjoy tent and RV camping, and there are even several beachfront campsites. Not only does the park feature peaceful hiking trails, but has access to back country roads. Visitors can enjoy the beach and cove while swimming and jet-skiing. In the winter, fishing is popular as well as camping.

Against the backdrop of the Pinaleno Mountain range, Roper Lake State Park is a serene lake for all to enjoy. Popular activities include swimming, boating, and fishing. Anglers can fish for a variety of species, including trout, bass, sunfish, and catfish. Visitors can camp in tents and RVs, or rent one of the park's cabins. The park is excellent for birdwatching, with commonly reported sightings of owls, cardinals, and egrets. Other amenities include a natural stone hot tub and beach.

Featuring stunning panoramic views of the San Rafael Valley, the San Rafael State Natural Area is home to a historic cattle ranch. Although mostly known for the filming location of "Oklahoma!" the ranch was once used as the headquarters for the successful Greene Cattle Company. On several occasions, the ranch was raided for horses by Pancho Villa. The natural area is an 18,500-acre area consisting of the ranch house, a machine / blacksmith shop, two barns, corrals, and other livestock structures.

Slide Rock State Park is known for being one of the best swimming holes in the country. Composed of tall red rock formations, Slide Rock gets its name from the natural water slide in Oak Creek Canyon and is a perfect way to cool off. The park has a 43-acre historic working apple farm and is located on Coconino National Forest land. The historic rustic cabins lining the area make for great picnic views.

The arch in Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is believed to be the world's largest natural travertine bridge. A popular Arizona destination, the 183-foot bridge stands over a 400-foot-long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. The park also features three short walking trails where visitors can view deer, rabbits, javelinas, and many species of birds. The Goodfellow Historic Lodge includes exhibits, artifacts, a restaurant, and 10 bedrooms available for reservations.

Visitors can enjoy peaceful relaxation in the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area. The Verde River is perfect for canoeing, swimming, and fishing. Anglers in the area have been known to catch bass, catfish, and trout. The lagoons are ideal habitats for almost 200 species of birds, and the park holds the annual Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival. Hikers can view black hawks, southwestern bald eagles, river otters, and beavers along the many scenic trails. Bicycles and horses are allowed on the trails.