Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 116
(Phoenix, AZ - June 23, 2014) - Awards for historic preservation achievements were recently presented at the 2014 Arizona Governor's Awards in Historic Preservation Ceremony on June 13, 2014 as part of the 12th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference. Nearly 300 attended the awards luncheon held in Rio Rico, Ariz. and hosted by the Arizona Preservation Foundation and the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which is part of Arizona State Parks. At the Governor's Awards in... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - July 2, 2014) If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen, bedroom and the living room and head for your favorite family retreat, the State Parks! Rural State Parks in Northern Arizona can be five to 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix or Tucson. Adventures include camping, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, wildlife watching and learning about Arizona's history. "Vacation & Camping Central" is located at the State Parks headquarters at 1300 W. Washington in Phoenix. Just... Full story
Tip Of The Week Hello, Anglers: Top-water lovers should consider setting up a variety of fishing rods with different plugs so that when the action is heated, you'll be better prepared for what they're biting. Binoculars can be used to spot boils. Boat to the side of a boil and, if possible, cast past a boil and work the lure back through it. The Reel Deal Brown Trout They often flop from the water, or twist and tangle line. Clever and elusive, brown trout are one of the state's top sport fish... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at all department wildlife areas on April 18. The restrictions are part of the restrictions issued by the Arizona State Forestry Division on state-owned and state-managed lands outside incorporated municipalities due to the increased risk of wildfire in the state. Stage 1 restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed - including campfires and wood or charcoal-burning stoves and barbecues. Smoking is prohibited except... Full story
For something different, head to Lynx Lake, where some anglers reportedly are having some decent action catching brown trout. Here's the tip: Try fishing a No. 18 or 20 with wooly bugger about 4 feet under a float with a 4-pound test leader. THE REEL DEAL Hello, anglers, First, a quick fish story. On Tuesday, April 8, angler Jack Head of Phoenix was taking his wife and sister-in-law boating, fishing, and for a quick picnic. What he saw in the Agua Fria arm floating on the surface was a...
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is implanting radio tags into a small percentage of hatchery-raised trout that will be stocked into the East Verde River in order to examine stocked trout movement and fate. These stockings are in April and coincide with the summer trout-stocking schedule. If you catch a trout with external tags (as pictured) you may keep or release the fish. These fish are safe for human consumption. If you catch a tagged fish, please call the number on the colored tag...
The geographic center of Arizona is about 55 miles ESE of Prescott, and the closest town hall to that location is that of Camp Verde. There is a bronze plaque to that effect in Rezzonico Park, placed there by the Arizona Professional Land Surveyors. The park in on Montezuma Castle Highway in Camp Verde. In fact, there is a ton of stuff to see and do in and around Camp Verde, including Montezuma's Well, Montezuma's Castle, and Tuzigoot National Monument. If you like the outdoors, you will love... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at all department wildlife areas on Friday, April 18. The restrictions are part of the restrictions issued by the Arizona State Forestry Division on state-owned and state-managed lands outside incorporated municipalities due to the increased risk of wildfire in the state. Stage 1 restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed -- including campfires and wood or charcoal-burning stoves and barbecues. Smoking is...
(Phoenix, AZ - April 18, 2014) - On April 24 - 27th, the Verde River Valley Nature Organization (VRVNO) and their partners will present the 14th annual Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival at Dead Horse Ranch State Park attracting experienced birders, fledgling birders and even non-birders to Central Arizona's spectacular natural wonders of the Verde River Valley. The Verde Valley's pleasant climate, open spaces, diverse vegetation, abundant wildlife and riparian environment along the Verde... Full story
In conjunction with the Town of Camp Verde's Spring Heritage Pecan and Wine Festival, Fort Verde State Historic Park will host the annual pecan pie contest on Saturday, March 29 at noon. Then come back on Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m. for the third "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" held in the Verde Valley and Northern Arizona. This is a "fee-free weekend" at Fort Verde State Historic Park. Favorite Pecan Pie Recipe On Saturday, raid your grandmother's cupboard for her favorite pecan pie recipe... Full story
Catfish stockings will be coming back to the core Community Fishing Program lakes and ponds in Tucson and Phoenix on Friday. Here are the core lakes and ponds: (Phoenix area) Surprise, Rio Vista Pond, Pioneer, Desert West, Alvord, Cortez, Steele I.S. Pond, Encanto, Papago Ponds, E. Hallman Pond, Riverview, Desert Breeze, Veterans Oasis; (Tucson area) Lakeside, Sahuarita, Kennedy, Silverbell, Copper Sky, Kiwanis, Water Ranch, Red Mountain, Chaparral. Channel catfish are best caught using a hook... Full story
Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering a fee-free weekend, Sat., Feb. 15 through Mon., Feb. 17 in honor of President’s Day. The remaining 2014 fee-free days honored by national forests are — • June 14, National Get Outdoors Day • Sept. 27, National Public Lands Day • Nov. 8-11, Veterans Day Weekend "Our public lands are open to everyone, and we hope these free days offer an incentive to all people to visit any of the 193 million acres of land held in trust for their enj... Full story
By Nick Walter, AZGFD Hello, anglers, Get ready for more winter trout stockings; they began Jan. 13 in the Verde River (Clarkdale to Camp Verde), Fain Lake, the Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Patagonia Lake, Pena Blanca Lake, Fortuna Pond and Redondo Pond. See our nifty Fish&Boat Arizona map for finding the state's best fishing and boating spots. In addition to an incredible turnout for the kickoff fishing clinic and trout stocking at Pioneer Lake in Peoria, we received some great anglers... Full story
Each year America's State Parks announces a national collaboration of all 50 State Park systems across America to sponsor guided "First Day Hikes" on New Year's Day. Arizona State Parks will charge day-use entrance fees only for the First Day Hikes at 13 different parks on Jan. 1, 2014. According to State Parks Director Bryan Martyn, "We are committed to promoting outdoor recreation as a way to get families outside and unplugged from their video games and other electronic media. This is a great... Full story
Preventing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Arizona waters starts with Arizona boat owners and anglers. To protect Arizona lakes, rivers and streams from the devastating effects of invasive species, Arizona Game and Fish laws require boaters and anglers to be good stewards by cleaning, draining and drying their boats and pulling the boat plug when leaving an AIS-affected lake. Failure to do so may result in a citation for the boat owner and possible fines. Clean, Drain, Dry Game... Full story
Keep in mind that here in Arizona, there is plenty of year-round fishing. Bass and other sport fish may not be as active, but they are still catchable. In many cases; it's a matter of slowing down your presentation and going to smaller baits. Some pro anglers, on the other hand, have been known to not only slow down their presentations, but also upsize their offerings to make it worthwhile for big bass to dine. The Reel Deal It's winter trout and crappie time. First, The Trout There are rainbow... Full story
Arizona State Parks are celebrating the holidays in December 2013 with two remaining events one at Fort Verde State Historic Park and the other at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park. Besides these beautiful celebrations, other gift ideas are an Annual Pass to all of Arizona's State Parks or a gift certificate to tour the cave at Kartchner Caverns State Park. Fort Verde State Historic Park Until Jan. 5, 2014, see the Fort decorated in a Victorian Christmas fashion. Trees and fireplace mantles... Full story
Many hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists have been wondering how the current federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, will impact their upcoming outings. Despite closures by federal land management agencies of their administrative offices and some controlled access points and facilities, there are numerous opportunities available to Arizonans for outdoor recreation. Please keep in mind that, with regard to federal lands, official information on closures is the responsibilit... Full story
The way some anglers look at Arizona as a fishing destination has begun to change since April when “Flathead” Ed Wilcoxson landed the heaviest recorded fish in the state’s history. Word is getting out that The Grand Canyon State is home to many gargantuan flathead catfish. Wilcoxson — after photos of his 76.54-pound flathead catfish taken out of Bartlett Lake were shared on fishing forums and media outlets across the World Wide Web — has received phone calls from interested anglers as far away a... Full story
JOIN HANDS -- Dead Horse Ranch State Park will celebrate the 25th Anniversary Verde River Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The activities promote preservation and care of the environment by showcasing informative exhibits on the Verde's riparian habitat. This year's free event kicks off with "Hands Across the Lagoon" at 9 a.m. and everyone is invited to join hands around the east lagoon to symbolize the importance of the preservation of the Verde River; the line-up will start at... Full story
Beginning Oct. 1, Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign! The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the county’s desert parks during that same stay. “This is the fifth year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion and it is by far, one of the Parks Department’s most popular campaig... Full story
Years ago, Indians spoke of the pristine Verde River waters — the waters that now feed beautiful Bartlett Lake. With its gently sloping beaches, majestic scenery, and countless wildlife, Bartlett is a favorite for all outdoor- lovers. Bigger than Canyon and Saguaro Lakes combined, from boating, to waterskiing, to fishing, Bartlett Lake has it all, and if you don’t have your own boat, Bartlett Lake’s Boat Club has a remarkable fleet for members to use. A tour of this beautiful area is made espec... Full story
Tip Of The Week Remember that at Blue Ridge (C.C. Cragin) there is no bag or possession limit. The road is open and SRP has begun to draw the lake down for necessary repairs to the dam and associated piping. There have been reports of some nice holdover trout being caught. The lake will not be stocked this year due to plans to drain the lake for repairs. The Reel Deal Trout fishing is only picking up with monsoon activity. Many high country fisheries are scheduled to be stocked this week. But,... Full story
Verde Canyon Railroad is pleased to announce a great honor awarded by the State of Arizona. Train attendant, Fermin Estrada, a fan favorite on the train for more than a decade, has been honored with the Arizona Governor’s 2013 Spirit of Service tourism award in the Individual category. This well-deserved accolade was earned by Mr. Estrada for his many years of outstanding customer service. At the Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Tucson on July 11, Fermin was respected with a standing ovation as he was presented the Spirit of Ser... Full story
(Phoenix) – Beginning October 1, Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign! The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the county’s desert parks during that same stay. “This is the fifth year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion and it is by far, one of the Parks Department’s most popu... Full story
