Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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In Arizona, people tend to think of heading north to cool off in the summer, but there are many places in the southern and eastern areas of our beautiful state that also offer higher altitudes, cool forests, and great hikes. These places include Mt. Lemmon near Tucson, the Pinaleno mountains near Safford, and the Mt. Baldy Wilderness near Greer. Mt. Lemmon In July, the Burro fire was raging and crews were using the Mount Lemmon highway as a firebreak. Residents, campers and hikers were forced... Full story
At 5000 feet, Payson stays quite a bit cooler than Phoenix in the summer. Temperatures may reach the mid 90s, but if you're in a shady forest, it seems a lot cooler. We love to go to Payson, and started taking the granddaughters there years ago. There are plenty of good hotels and lots of great places to eat in Payson and the surrounding area, and there are great hikes as well. Tonto Natural Bridge One of the places near Payson that we love the most is Tonto Natural Bridge. It's actually more... Full story
The National Park Service has designated Rainbow Bridge a Traditional Cultural Property, recognizing the site's historic and ongoing cultural significance to at least six American Indian tribes, and establishing its listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Rainbow Bridge is the first site in Utah to gain a TCP designation. Stunning Beauty, Value "Anyone who has visited Rainbow Bridge can attest to its stunning beauty and unique value as an example of the geologic forces that have... Full story
President Trump's Executive Order calling for a review of expansive executive land designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906 has predictably generated a volume of debate and dire predictions. Missing from the discussion is thoughtful dialogue about the critical role of multiple-use management in natural resources conservation and the sometimes dire consequences to our natural resources of removing such tools from the pallet of management actions and possibilities. This is all done in the... Full story
Summer is upon us and many Arizona residents and visitors are planning to hop on their off-highway vehicle (OHV). Before hitting the trail while camping or out for a day of riding, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds operators and passengers to do so safely and responsibly by following these 10 tips: • Always wear a helmet. Kids under 18 years old are required by law to wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet at all times while riding in a side-by-side, an all-terrain v... Full story
Today, the 2017 versions of recreational vehicles, camping and diving equipment are a far cry from these early versions. We have progressed to the stage of "near-luxury" in all of these products for enjoying the outdoors. But, are we having more fun? We may be safer, faster, and better looking, but my guess is that that the folks shown in these photos were loving the chances they had to be with nature - maybe even more so because less was done for them (think electronically) and they had more... Full story
The best gift ever, though, is spending time with him. Chances are, your dad is the one who introduced you to the outdoors. I know that was the case with me. My dad took me hunting and camping all the time, starting when I was really young, and that gave me a love of the outdoors that is stronger than ever, even now. If your dad is outdoorsy, here are some gift ideas that are sure to make his day this June 18th. ATN Smart HD Binocular Let's just start right out with the splurge – the ATN S... Full story
Want to spend your summer in the mountains of Arizona? Consider applying for a campground host position with the Tonto National Forest. The Pleasant Valley Ranger District is looking for a campground host to volunteer at the Haigler Creek Campground, near Young, Arizona. This campground is located approximately eight miles away from Young on a dirt road. The campground consists of 14 campsites and two day-use areas. A host is needed from mid-May through mid-September. Duties include, but are not... Full story
The 27th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 17 through Saturday, June 24 on 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 this country. Last year, Grand Canyon National Park announced its Provisional International Dark Sky Park status through the International Dark-Sky Association. This provisional status gives the park three years to retrofit two-thirds o...
There are 90 wilderness areas in our state - a total of 4,512,120 acres. That's a lot of country! But what exactly is a wilderness area, what can you do there, and how does a place become a wilderness area? A wilderness area is a place where the lands are designated for preservation and protection in their natural state and where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by men (from the Wilderness Act of 1964). These lands remain undeveloped and no permanent improvement or human... Full story
Fire season is under way in Arizona and with Easter occurring April 16 followed by Memorial Day and its customary three-day weekend in late May, visitation is beginning to increase on the Tonto National Forest. Officials offer the following campfire tips to help practice fire safety. • When possible, use an established campfire ring; • Clear the area down to bare soil; • Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, pine needles and... Full story
Grand Canyon AZ - Due to an unanticipated rockslide the National Park Service (NPS) will close the Colorado River Trail between Pipe Creek and the Silver Bridge for trail repair starting Monday, April 3 at 7 am. The trail will be closed to foot traffic and stock use. The NPS anticipates the closure will be in effect for a week or more while crews stabilize a retaining wall. Hikers can access Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground via the South Kaibab Trail during the closure. The NPS reminds... Full story
Visitors interested in purchasing the Grand Canyon National Park annual pass can do so at any of Grand Canyon’s entrance stations and park headquarters building. This annual pass costs $60, is non-refundable or transferable, and is valid for twelve months from the date of purchase. This annual pass provides unlimited visits to Grand Canyon for the purchaser and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle or the purchaser and accompanying immediate family (spouse, c... Full story
From Kelly Tolbert - Recreation Services Coordinator (With Contributor Nancy Nesbit) With the cleanest air in Arizona, a mild four-seasons climate, diverse ecosystem, and vibrant outdoor lifestyle, Prescott has been receiving positive press over the last few years. Several publications have listed Prescott as one of the best small towns in which to retire. Others have focused on the outdoor lifestyle, making Prescott a perfect place to live and visit, especially for hikers and mountain bikers.... Full story
Grand Canyon National Park is one of 21 national parks selected to receive a 2017 Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Grand Canyon National Park has teamed up with Grand Canyon School to create the “Phantom Challenge.” Community members will strive to walk the length of Grand Canyon (277 miles) through events and activities that provide opportunities for families of all ages to walk, hike, backpack, snowshoe and bike the lengt... Full story
This is the perfect time of year for an outdoor adventure in Tucson. The weather is great and the wildflowers should be amazing this year after all the rains we've had all winter. All four of these places offer nice hikes (or at least walks), and all four of them let you see different aspects of the glory of the outdoors around Tucson. Saguaro National Park Saguaro National Park is actually two districts - one to the east of Tucson called the Rincon Mountain District, and one to the west called... Full story
Ahhh...spring is in the air and the wildflowers are blooming! Along with the warm temperatures comes the chance to view Mother Nature at her finest as she carpets the desert floor with an array of beautiful colors. While some may curse the allergies the wildflowers bring, others are gleefully grabbing their cameras and rushing outside to capture photos before they disappear. "We encourage everyone to visit our County parks during this spectacular wildflower season," said Maricopa County... Full story
The popularity of off-highway vehicles (OHV) has exploded throughout the state and, Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are turning to OHV enthusiasts to help shape the future of the activity statewide. With 365 riding days per year, scenic trails and great weather, Arizona continues to draw OHV enthusiasts from across the country to access our motorized trails. To better plan for the future of the activity statewide, Arizona State Parks and Trails partnered... Full story
PARK AND RIDE -- The National Park Service (NPS) again offers shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Ariz. Service will will run through Saturday, Sept. 30 to help ease spring break congestion on the South Rim. Those taking advantage of the shuttle service can avoid entrance station lines and parking frustrations -- no lines, no hassles, no fuss. The Tusayan Route runs at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. dai... Full story
Coconino County Parks and Recreation and Navajo Parks and Recreation Department hosted a dedication ceremony of the new Antelope Canyon Interpretive Site at Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in early March. The interpretive site was constructed in collaboration with Coconino County Parks and Recreation, Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department, the LeChee Chapter House of the Navajo Nation, and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. The new site features two ramadas (one at Upper Antelope... Full story
If you are looking for easy hikes with great scenery close to Phoenix, I've got a couple for you. Both of these are easy enough for very small children and older folks, but one has a waterfall (sometimes!), and one has a flowing river. Both have entry fees, but they are small. The Hassayampa River is a hundred miles long, but for most of that distance it runs underground. At the Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg, however, the water comes to the surface and runs crystal clear over the... Full story
Tonto National Forest joins other federal agencies in offering four more fee-free days on public lands in 2017. The fee-free program is in cooperation with other federal land management agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Fees will be waived at all day-use sites including picnic grounds, shorelines and boat launches operated by the Tonto National Forest. Concessionaire-operated facilities, camping and campground fees will not be waived. The remaining four fee-free days... Full story
Credit: Arizona Game & Fish Department The National Park Service recently announced the release of the Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The plan analyzes a range of alternatives and actions for managing off-road use of motor vehicles as well as on-road use of off-highway vehicles and street-legal all-terrain vehicles. Glen Canyon Superintendent, Billy Shott, said he is excited that the plan is moving forward.... Full story
As the National Park Service (NPS) prepares for a second century of service, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates the significant accomplishments of the NPS centennial celebration and looks ahead to its own park centennial in 2019. 2016 marked the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, offering an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments in Grand Canyon National Park and its surrounding community. Throughout 2016 Grand Canyon promoted the NPS Centennial goal, "to connect with and... Full story
