Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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PAGE, Arizona – Algal blooms have been reported scattered around Glen Canyon National Recreation Area this fall. Certain species of algae and phytoplankton can produce toxins that may cause illness in humans, pets and wildlife. Algal blooms can occur for a variety of reasons. Warm, still water is the perfect breeding ground for cyanobacteria and the addition of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that enter the lake from outside sources, encourage the growth of algae and bacteria. Some may b... Full story
Celebrate The Holidays In Tempe Zoo Lights Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo is back! This beloved holiday tradition features millions of twinkling lights, new animal lanterns and light displays. There's also an enhanced Santa experience and the return of the tallest floating tree in North America, showcasing original music and a synchronized light show. You can also enjoy the enhanced s'mores station, explore the interactive Glow Garden and stroll through the immersive 200-foot-long light tunnel.... Full story
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
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GCNRA) is accepting public comments through Nov. 15 on proposed changes to the park’s 2021 off road vehicle (ORV) special regulations. The proposed revisions to the 2021 rule are required under a settlement agreement and would be more protective of resources by limiting the use of off-highway vehicles and street-legal ATVs in certain shoreline access areas and unpaved roads. Diverse Recreation Forms While the proposed rule amendment would prohibit the use o... Full story
If you stop and think about it, the days of the wild west aren’t that far behind us, and Arizona used to be wild as all get-out. Miners, ranchers, and sheep herders didn’t always get along well, and of course there have always been jilted lovers and jealousy, especially back when women were fairly scarce on the ground! So it’s no wonder that Arizona has so many haunted places! And in addition to those ghostly spots, we’ve got a lot of ghost towns in various stages of ruin that can be fun to visi... Full story
It's back to school season, which means it's time for one more trip to cap off your summer experience. Load the family up and hit the road aimed at your favorite lake or Arizona high country destination. We've made it easy for you to make even more summer memories. Take a look at these great outdoor options below, then finish summer strong by getting outside and enjoying all that this beautiful state has to offer. Rev Up Your Adventure: Discover Eastern Arizona's Scenic OHV Trails! Get ready... Full story
John and I are always looking for new roads to explore in the Jeep, and this past week we found one that we could have done in the car, so I thought I'd share it, because there were plenty of interesting things to see and some incredibly beautiful areas. You could do this whole loop in one day like we did, even taking time to hop out and wander around, plus a stop for a picnic lunch. In all, we covered 286 miles from the west valley, round trip. FIRST UP: DOLL BABY RANCH ROAD I saw this road on...
The Dirt Expo is going back to Westworld in Scottsdale, Ariz., Arizona's original and largest Off-Road, Sand, and UTV Expo is going BIG for its 10th Anniversary on December 7 and 8, 2024! Everything from -industry-leading vendors, legendary raffles, seminars, classes, and more will be on the agenda with so much more to be announced. 100's Of Vendors Exhibitors from across the country will be available to show the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Seminars And Classes Everything... Full story
(Maricopa County) – Who's ready to enjoy a free night's stay in one of Maricopa County's regional parks? Starting September 18, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back its popular Buy One, Get One camping promotion! The promotion allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night or more at a participating desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free during that same stay. "Maricopa County is home to 12 beautiful r... Full story
Arizonans know we're in the midst of another scorching summer, but that doesn't mean you have to stay inside soaking up the A/C. Get outside this summer and cool off in the high country or enjoy the refreshing waters of our lakes and rivers. Remember to prioritize heat safety by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and planning your activities during cooler parts of the day. Escape the heat while enjoying the great outdoors. Epic summer memories rarely happen from the couch. Whether you're a... Full story
Prescott's trails systems continue to expand: next up - Gateway Park. The City of Prescott continues to add new trails to its ever expanding system, many of which connect to one another. The overall design Is intended to give users as many options as possible. Although the more remote trails have access by connecting to other trail systems, such as Peavine National Recreation Trail, it often requires a trek of a couple of miles to arrive at these more remote trailheads. The City intends to... Full story
Mochi loves off-roading! Note - all photos were by John and Margie Anderson. When I was a kid, my dad always took us kids hunting off Dugas Road. There used to be a dirt road and a gate right on the side of I-17 and that road led to Hooker Tank, and from there over the hill to road 68D which goes from Dugas Road north to Squaw Peak Road. We loved it there and since we went there so often we all knew that area very well. There's a lot to be said about knowing all the best and prettiest places in... Full story
Many camper vans, overlanders and tow vehicles either aren't equipped with roof racks, or their design isn't conducive to adding them. That's where SeaSucker comes in. Its SEMA award-winning Ridge Ready Monkey Bars make it simple to mount a pair of sturdy crossbars to a vehicle with grooved channels, vents or A/C units on their roofs. Made in the USA, Ridge Ready Monkey Bars use SeaSucker's innovative Vacuum Mount technology. The four front and two rear 3.25" oval mounts have a combined holding... Full story
During the Covid lockdowns John and I weren't really too bothered because everything we like to do is outdoors. Our son David and his wife Elizabeth were getting cabin fever, so we decided to take them on a little off-highway adventure one day in June 2020. They have a Four Runner and David and I both had our ham radio licenses by then, so we decided to head for the hills. Choosing A Destination My favorite way to choose a destination for John and me is to go immediately to Trailsoffroad.com... Full story
PETRIFIED FOREST, Ariz. – Join the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Painted Desert Inn! In 1924, Herbert Lore registered his newly constructed business with the Land Office, fulfilling his duties under the Homesteading Act of 1862. Today this charming building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. On June 21, 22, and 23, there will be treats and activities offered at the inn: • Meet the Harvey Girls on June 22! • Join a ranger guided tour... Full story
John and I love Arizona because you can cruise the deserts in winter and the mountains in summer. That's why we decided to visit the ruins of Swansea, an old mining town in February. It never occurred to me that I would need to check for any major events on Swansea Road, so off we went, taking 60 through Wickenburg, Aguila, Vicksburg, and Bouse. Bouse We planned to fill the Jeep in Bouse then head north on Swansea Road to the remains of the town. I was stoked because the map showed a natural arc... 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
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
RV owners know that sun, ozone, embedded dirt, sweat and temperature extremes are hard on flexible outdoor materials like vinyl, rubber, leather and isinglass. They become dry and prone to cracking, as well as old-looking due to color fading. Vinyl and Leather Cleaner & Conditioner from Iosso Products helps prevent recreational equipment from aging prematurely. As it cleans, it restores the original suppleness and shine, and provides long-lasting protection in one simple-to-use product. Contact... 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
Photos Courtesy of John and Margie Anderson John and I had been wanting to explore the area southwest of Wikieup for a long time, and we finally got there last month. We honestly didn't even know if there was anything worth seeing back there, but the fact that you would be able to check out the Big Sandy River decided me! Click here for more on Arizona Rivers and Streams. We did this whole trip in one day from Phoenix, so it's doable, but it makes for a very long day. Starting on Highway 93, go... Full story
Huzzah: New In 2024! We are thrilled to announce the following new and exciting additions for the upcoming 2024 Arizona Renaissance Festival season. Whether you are a seasoned festival-goer or a first-time visitor, prepare to be captivated by the exquisite new additions awaiting your arrival. The Hops!! - New Pub Crawl Introducing "The Hops!!" - a brand new pub crawl at the Arizona Renaissance Festival! Whether you're a seasoned pub crawler or new to the experience this limited capacity, tickete... 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
Go Lake Havasu presents ideas to do just that. The 2007 movie The Bucket List made the term "bucket list" a cultural phenomenon. According to the Internet Movie Database, it's the comedy-drama where Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two terminally ill men who escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. Along Arizona's West Coast, home of the historic London Bridge and 60 miles of Colorado River shoreline, tourism officials like to think... Full story
This is the perfect time of year to take your winter guests or your family to some of the wonderful places in Arizona that get a bit warm in the summertime. We've taken the granddaughters to all of these places, and believe it or not, Trinity tells us that the Hassayampa Preserve was her favorite hike ever! Some of these places are free to visit, and others are not, so I'm including current prices as well as how to get there and what not to miss! Enjoy! Boyce Thompson Arboretum The girls have... Full story