Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Tourism To Grand Canyon National Park Contributed $768 Million To Local Economy Report shows visitor spending supports 10,100 local jobs. A new National Park Service report shows that 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2023 spent $768 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 10,100 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.0 billion. “I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said Natio... Full story
VERMILLION CLIFFS, Ariz. – Partners in Arizona-Utah California Condor conservation, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), gathered at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on Sept. 28 for the successful release of four captive-raised and endangered California condors into the wilds of far north Arizona. The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management hosted the event in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. Cheers erupted from an enthusiastic crowd at the viewing s... Full story
Bison (aka buffalo) have long been an important resource for indigenous people. That truth is recognized in the herd management of the valuable animals that inhabit the Grand Canyon's North Rim. One hundred bison were successfully relocated last month and transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council. Since herb reduction began in 2018, 282 buffalo have been transferred to eight different American Indian tribes. The sharing of this resource is as it should be, contributing to both conservation... Full story
Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 100 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in mid-September. All bison were transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council (https://itbcbuffalonation.org/), which transported them to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota (https://www.cheyenneriversioux.com/). Since reduction efforts began in 2018, park staff have removed 306 bison from the North Rim, with 282 transferred to eight different American Indian tribes throu... Full story
PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Commission announced the recipients of the 2024 Commission Awards at its September meeting in Prescott, Ariz. The awards recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state's wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This year's recipients are - • Award of Excellence – Kohinoor Kar – ADOT • Youth Conservationist of the Year – Ryder and Cadence Walton • Media of the Year – The Wi... Full story
Adapted From An Article By Rudri Bhatt Patel For Visit Arizona In Arizona, there are so many opportunities to get out on the water-from the lakes of the Mogollon Rim to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Here are ten of the top spots to canoe and kayak. 1. Lake Pleasant, Morristown Lake Pleasant, located 45 minutes northwest of Phoenix, is a favorite venue for those on paddle craft. Canyons and cliffs rise over the six-mile lake, islands dot the middle of it and slot canyons hide on the... Full story
June 1: Free Fishing Day When can you fish for free in Arizona? Arizona fishing licenses are not required when - fishing any public water on free fish ing day, which usually takes place on the first Saturday of National Fishing and Boating week. June 1-8: Star Party The 34th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 1 through Saturday, June 8, 2024, on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National Parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some... Website
We never tire of reminding boaters to wear their life jackets, ideally the entire time they are out on the water. PFDs are no longer bulky, unattractive, and ill-fitting. Now they are comfortable, come in many styles, even colors, and some of the kid's jackets are nothing short of "cute and fun to wear". If you are new to life-jacket shopping, check with the Coast Guard or its Auxiliary, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the National Safe Boating Council. Another good resource are the members... Full story
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. –The National Park Service is announcing Havasupai Gardens Campground and the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails have re-opened for public use. The areas were closed Dec. 1, 2023, for Transcanyon Waterline project construction activities. Plateau Point Trail, from Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point remains closed until June 20, 2024. During this time, Tonto Trail hikers will be able to use a trail detour to connect to and from the Bright Angel Trail. The water-filling station w... Full story
With the warmer temperatures and change of seasons, "a young man's (and woman's) fancy turns to thoughts [of fishing]". Throughout the Southwest the focus is on both fresh and salt water fishing. If you are in Arizona's high country, it's time for trout stockings; if you are in San Diego, the annual Day at the Docks celebrates the start of salt-water fishing. Whatever your preference, we wish you tight lines. And when you are on the water, salt or fresh, remember to think safety first. Our... Full story
A Family Home and Photography Studio Kolb Studio appears to be just an old house perched on the rim of the canyon. However, if you step inside, or see it from Bright Angel Trail on your hike out of the canyon, you get the sense it is much more than that. This is the Victorian-era home of the Kolb Brothers, who created a lasting legacy of adventure, exploration, family love, and amazing Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the canyon itself. The Family • Emery (a young photographer)... Full story
Tours of Goodfellow Lodge at Tonto Natural Bridge Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Sundays and Wednesdays 11 a.m. (Wed. & Sundays) | 2 p.m. (Sundays) Join us for a ranger or volunteer led walk through the Goodfellow Lodge, with a history of the property, the Lodge, and the people that called Tonto Natural Bridge home. The history, former use, and present use of these buildings will be included. Tour is approximately 45 minutes and is available at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as at... Full story
Venturing into the great outdoors can seem a bit daunting at first. Here are some beginner-friendly suggestions to get you started and have you feeling like an Arizona outdoors pro in no time. Double Butte Loop Trail https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park/trail-map Papago Park Phoenix/Tempe Over the course of 2.2 miles, the Double Butte Loop Trail circumnavigates the large red sandstone Papago Buttes that are visible from vantage points throughout much of metro Phoenix. The... Full story
Effective April 1, 2024, Grand Canyon National Park will increase the cost of overnight backcountry permits. Grand Canyon began charging for overnight backcountry permits in 1997 and last modified backcountry fees in 2022. The cost recovery charge for overnight backcountry permits will increase for all permits that begin on or after April 1, 2024. The charge of $10 per backcountry permit remains the same; the nightly per person fee will be increased from $12 per person to $15 per person or s... Full story
A great way to find Arizona Rivers And Streams is by going to Wide World Of Maps. They have been around for over 35 years. They can show you where you are going. Margie Anderson (Arizona Game And Fish Commission Writer Of The Year Award 2015) – Dozens of rivers flow through, around, and in Arizona – they are the very lifeblood of our state. Rivers provide us with power, and with water for farming and recreation. Many of the larger rivers are dammed to create impoundments that protect us from flo... Website
Director's Orders (list of waters with aquatic invasive species) updated to include Tonto Creek; Tonto Creek Hatchery closed to public. PAYSON, Ariz. - The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has confirmed the presence of New Zealand mudsnails, an aquatic invasive species (AIS), in upper Tonto Creek approximately 2.5 miles downstream of Tonto Creek Hatchery. AZGFD continues to conduct surveys in the area to determine the extent of infestation. Tonto Creek Hatchery will remain closed to the... Full story
Kingman, AZ - Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration's announcement designating almost one million acres adjacent to the Grand Canyon as a national monument: "Circumventing Congressional authority and with the swipe of a pen, Joe Biden intends to lock up one million acres of public land and permanently prohibit mining of the richest and highest-grade uranium in the United States from deposits that are far outside the... Full story
Precaution Taken After Invasive Mudsnails Detected In Creek 2.5 Miles Downstream Of Hatchery The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has confirmed the presence of New Zealand mudsnails, an aquatic invasive species, in Tonto Creek approximately 2.5 miles downstream of Tonto Creek Hatchery. AZGFD continues to conduct surveys in the area to determine the extent of infestation. Beginning June 22, the Tonto Creek Hatchery was closed to the public. This will provide the department with time to en... Full story
COYOTE WILDLIFE ALERT -- Over the past 5+ years, Grand Canyon coyotes have become habituated to human food at campgrounds and viewpoints after being regularly fed by park visitors. After many hazing and removal attempts, Grand Canyon National Park staff have needed to euthanize these coyotes to protect visitors. Keep wildlife wild and prevent the needless loss of animal life: • PLEASE do not feed or approach animals • Make sure to secure your food Please help us pass along this message to vis... Full story
Got fish? Gone fishin'. Go fish. All apply to Arizona and the angling opportunities offered in this state. Bass Junkyz, high school and college programs, Arizona Game & Fish Department are among the outstanding promoters of this family friendly sport. Whether you fish in community waters or head to the high country lakes, you can enjoy the time near and on the water. Fly fishing, striper fishing, trout fishing, bass fishing, blue gill fishing, catfish fishing-- whatever your preference, all are... Full story
The thirty-third annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held Saturday, June 10 through Saturday, June 17, on both the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. Numerous telescopes will offer views of... Full story
Anglers and others recreating in Canyon Creek are now required to clean, drain, dry and decontaminate their equipment after each visit The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has added Canyon Creek to its list of "Aquatic Invasive Species Affected Waters" (also known as Director's Order 2) after recently confirming the presence of invasive New Zealand mudsnails in lower Canyon Creek about 3 miles downstream of Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery. Director's Orders are authorized by ARS §17-255.01... Full story
Cool And Unusual Attractions In The Lake Havasu City Area In the first half of the 20th Century, one of the most famous people alive was Robert Ripley: creator of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! newspaper panel series, radio show and television series. Starting in 1919, he made his fortune highlighting odd facts from around the world. Were he still alive today, we think he'd be fascinated about strange sights and oddities in the Lake Havasu City area. Visitors to the area can explore this... Full story
November is also a month to express our gratitude. As John Anderson writes, dogs are a key to both hunting success and rewarding companionship. I second that as I have had the honor of living with dogs many years of my life and will always remember my first dog a little black English cocker spaniel - Sammy - who was an excellent hunter and my best friend growing up. This article is featured because it is bird-hunting season, and the best luck for a hunter will be to go into the field with a... Full story
There's no doubt about it: These times are stressful in so many ways, including financially, politically, and emotionally - to name only three. This is one of the reasons we are featuring fishing this issue. When times are tough, tight lines are just plain good medicine. Are you worried - as many of us are - about the ballot box? Of course you are, but for just a little while, we suggest you change that ballot box focus onto to your tackle box instead. Even for a day, you may be able to breathe... Full story