Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 105
PHOENIX – Discover high country adventure at Lyman Lake State Park this summer! As the southern region of Arizona starts to heat up, take a trip to our northern parks to enjoy cooler temperatures and find awesome new hiking spots! Lyman Lake State Park will host a guided hike every Saturday this summer, so you can explore the Petroglyph Trail and learn about the archaeological wonders you’ll see along the way! The views from the trail are incredible, from rolling hills and high desert to the... Full story
PHOENIX – Summer is coming to a close, but there’s still one more three-day weekend left! Turn your Labor Day weekend into a park-cation by visiting one of the amazing Arizona State Parks in northern Arizona! If a day trip is on your agenda, head to Red Rock State Park (https://t.e2ma.net/click/3vygz/3vqqt1/7manug) in Sedona, where the beautiful trails are rivaled only by the night skies. Your chances of catching sight of wildlife are great during this end-of-summer weather. There are pic... Full story
CAMP VERDE -- Saturday, March 31, will be the sixth Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, hosted this year at Fort Verde State Historic Park and Camp Verde Community Park. This is a cooperative event coordinated by the Town of Camp Verde and cities of Cottonwood and Sedona as well as Arizona State Parks & Trails. In addition, many local veteran’s groups are involved including Camp Verde’s American Legion Post #93 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6739. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act des... Full story
NEW RAMP -- Arizona State Parks opened a newly constructed boat ramp at Lake Havasu State Park in early September. The boat ramp will take pressure off the main launch site and allow for less congestion when launching and loading boats. A new exit and more parking has also been added to alleviate traffic at the park.... Full story
Come celebrate fall at Slide Rock State Park's Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Spend the day and enjoy a variety of fun fall activities including an apple-cider press, blacksmithing, Arizona Flywheelers displaying tractors and old engines, kiddie tractor pull, quilt displays, Jay's Bird Barn Falconer, build a scarecrow, and of course, special appearances from Arizona State Parks' Rocky Ringtail and US Forest Service's Smokey the Bear! There will also be apples availab... Full story
Looking for a summer adventure filled with fun the whole family can enjoy? Spend the weekend or plan a day trip to one of our beautiful Arizona State Parks. We've got you covered whether you're a first-time camper, amateur cave explorer, looking for a watersport haven or prefer to discover Arizona's history. Here are some of our favorite things to get you out of the house and into an adventure: Watersport Havens - The lake and river parks offer something for everyone to enjoy from beaches, boat... Full story
Arizona State Parks is offering funding from the State Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund (OHV) for motorized trail projects. Grant application manuals and forms are available to download from the State Parks website at AZStateParks.com/grants. Eligible Projects Funding can be used for projects such as trail development and trail maintenance for off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. Deadlines Project sponsors must... Full story
Catalina State Park's popular concert series on the first Saturday of the month are held continuously throughout the year but artists have been announced through September 2016. Visitors will enjoy an evening concert amid the beautiful landscapes of Catalina State Park. The concerts are held at the main trailhead at Catalina State Park. Guests should bring a chair, food and water. The Friends of Catalina State Park will provide free popcorn during the concerts. The concerts could be canceled if... Full story
Earlier this summer, Arizona Public Service (APS) generously donated $229,000 to open Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. The donation by APS completes the amount needed to open the park. The funds will cover construction of the trail to the deployment site, biography plaques for each of the 19 hotshots, benches along the main trail and completion of the observation deck over looking the deployment site. "The Granite Mountain Hotshots made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the... Full story
At the "Suvoyuki Day" Festival, gain insight into the lifestyle, language, celebrations, history of the Hopi Tribe and learn about etiquette on Hopi lands at Homolovi State Park. "Suvoyuki" translated in the Hopi language means to accomplish work through a "joint effort" and the day celebrates the partners who have helped to protect and save the Homolovi area archaeological and cultural sites from destruction. On Aug. 6, there will be activities throughout the day including special... Full story
Kartchner Caverns State Park (near Benson, Ariz.) is much more than a stunning cave with the world's most diverse minerals and formations. Rangers will offer a unique hike on the Foothills Loop Trail during the full moon on select Saturdays through September 2016 (dates below). Visitors should meet at 6 p.m. at the front of the Discovery Center and wear suitable clothing and shoes, bring water and a flashlight. Visitors may bring a camera and/or binoculars, but it is not necessary. The cost is... Full story
PHOENIX - Looking for weekend plans? Come cast a line in one of the quiet fishing coves at an Arizona State Park lake! Water sport enthusiasts will appreciate the clear, blue waters ideal for skiing, tubing, and boating on the open water. WHAT: Arizona State Parks with boat launch ramps. WHERE: Alamo Lake State Park- Has two paved boat ramps to launch motorized and non-motorized watercrafts. Buckskin Mountain State Park- Has a two-lane launch ramp for motorized and on-motorized watercraft.... Full story
PHOENIX- Catalina State Park's popular concert series on the first Saturday of the month are held continuously throughout the year but artists have been announced through September 2016. Visitors will enjoy an evening concert amid the beautiful landscapes of Catalina State Park. The concerts are held at the main trailhead at Catalina State Park. Guests should bring a chair, food and water. The Friends of Catalina State Park will provide FREE popcorn during the concerts. The concerts could be can... Full story
Remaining programs exploring the natural world are featured at Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education in May 2016. Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to Noon: On the Edible and Medicinal Plants of the oak grasslands hike with Sonoran Desert herbalist, John Slattery, discover the variety of park plants as they relate to food, medicine, ethno- botany and local landscapes. Reservation is suggested. Sponsored by Friends of Oracle State Park. Guided tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House... Full story
Arizona State Parks is responsible for the completion of Arizona's Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) every five years. This plan sets the evaluation criteria to allocate the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, as well as other applicable grant programs consistent with the state's outdoor recreation priorities. To draft the SCORP, Arizona State Parks is working with Arizona State University's School of Community Resources with oversight direction and input from a SCORP Work G... Full story
Park Rangers at Homolovi State Park in Winslow will educate visitors about the sacred Hopi land the park resides on at guided walks, hikes and lectures in May 2016. There will also be a Star Party featured on May 20 at the Park. Hopi Pottery Talk - May 14 at 9 a.m.: Join Park Ranger and Hopi Potter, Gwen Setalla for a discussion and demonstration of traditional Hopi pottery. She will explain how traditional pottery is made and talk about how to recognize authentic made pottery. This will be... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - April 25, 2016) - Make plans to head south for the sounds of traditional and modern Mexican Mariachi Band music. Patagonia Lake State Park http://azstateparks.com/Parks/PALA/index.html, near Nogales, will host the 20th Annual Mariachi Festival at Boulder Beach on Saturday, May 21, 2016 (see full lineup below). The day's activities will include a wide variety of Southern Arizona Mariachi bands and dancers on stage. On-hand at the Mariachi Festival will be authentic Mexican food,... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - April 6, 2016) - Arizona State Parks is responsible for the completion of Arizona's Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) every five years. This plan sets the evaluation criteria to allocate the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, as well as other applicable grant programs consistent with the state's outdoor recreation priorities. To draft the SCORP, Arizona State Parks is working with Arizona State University's School of Community Resources with oversight... Full story
March activities at Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education opened with a special-event Star Party featuring live music, kids activities, and night sky star viewing on Saturday, March 5. This event celebrated the park's designation as an International Dark Sky Park. Oracle State Park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can bring their own lunch and beverages to enjoy on the ranch-house patios or park picnic areas. Full Oracle State Park event information is... Full story
Arizona State Parks is offering funding from both the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and State Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund (OHV). Eligible Projects Funding can be used for projects such as trail development and trail maintenance for pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use), bicycling, equestrian, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. Available Funds For FY 2016 there will be $1.2 million avai... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - February 10, 2016) - Join us for the annual historic re-enactment of an Arizona Civil War skirmish, Battle of Picacho Pass, and the New Mexico battles of Glorieta and Val Verde at "Civil War in the Southwest" at Picacho Peak State Park. The three re-enactments will take place on Saturday, March 19, 2016 and will be repeated on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days but gates will open at 9:30 a.m. and no further entry is allowed after... Full story
Each year the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) announces a national collaboration of all 50 State Park systems across America to sponsor guided "First Day Hikes" on New Year's Day. Arizona's "First Day Hikes" offer individuals and groups an opportunity to begin the New Year on a healthy note, so get out those boots and take a hike! There will be 20 different hikes offered at 18 parks on January 1, 2016. A full listing of hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips...
(Phoenix, AZ - November 3, 2015) - Join us on Veteran's Day 2015 at an Arizona State Park or nearby community in honoring and thanking those who serve! Learn about our free annual pass for 100% Disabled Veteran's and our 50% off annual pass for disabled veterans, retired and active duty servicemen and start enjoying the beauty of Arizona's open spaces. Create your adventure in an Arizona State Park where you'll find 1,400 campsites and 81 trails with 124 miles of hiking for the whole family....
As of press time, many were planning to come celebrate fall at Slide Rock State Park's Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event planners have been suggesting that visitors pack a picnic and spend the day enjoying harvest and homestead demonstrations, live music, kids' activities, face painting, fly wheelers, games and activities for the whole family. Slide Rock State Park's history began as a working Apple orchard. Today, this agricultural legacy continues. The... Full story
For many, Labor Day signaled the end of summer, but at Arizona State Parks, it's just the beginning of your family adventures. Get away from the hectic fall schedule and travel to some parks and nearby communities. Create moments to share while exploring the beautiful State of Arizona. Here are the top picks of some parks and nearby communities, events and fun things to do on a weekend. • Lyman Lake State Park (St. Johns) - Stay in a rustic camping cabin by the lake and enjoy activities i... Full story