Camping Central at Arizona State Parks Headquarters

(Phoenix, AZ - May 22, 2013) - Arizona State Parks' headquarters is now "Camping Central." Arizonans are welcome to stop by and pick up a bag of brochures, maps and information about all the facilities where you can camp, hike, fish, have reunions, weddings, special events and business retreats. There are more than 1,000 campsites so whether you are a tent camper, RV camper or need a nice cozy camping cabin or yurt, our customer service representatives will help visitors find the best place to camp and give everyone a state road map.

Few people think of the wonderful vacation spots they already own in rural Arizona locations when they are making weekend plans. Camping at Arizona's State Parks in the cool country offers economical and fascinating opportunities just a few hours from Arizona's largest cities and towns.

Lake Havasu, Buckskin Mountain and the River Island Unit, and Cattail Cove are the three parks on the Colorado River where visitors can swim, boat, fish, go tubing and lounge on the beach and play on the river. On the Colorado River the temperature is around 100 degrees but the water is 80 degrees, so spending the day in the river provides a cool retreat from the hot Arizona sun.

Three State Parks in eastern Arizona include Roper Lake, Lyman Lake and Fool Hollow Recreation Area. Roper Lake is warm at night and the top of Mount Graham is only 45 minutes away and there you are in an Alpine climate where you can fish for trout. Lyman Lake has a variety of activities in Apache County that everyone will enjoy including fishing or waterskiing and a professional slalom racecourse. If you are not a camper, stay in a cabin or yurt and enjoy hot showers, or take a swim on the beach.

Day-trippers can head out to the historic parks such as Fort Verde or Jerome State Historic Parks or environmental parks such as Kartchner Caverns State Park (also has a campground), Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Red Rock State Park.

No matter where you camp, there will be some fire restrictions so check with the park you plan on visiting to get the latest information before you leave town. In addition, all types of fireworks are banned. To keep your family and public lands safe, it is best to always use a propane stove and only smoke in vehicles.

"Camping Central" at the Arizona State Parks headquarters is located at 1300 W. Washington in Phoenix. Once you decide on a location, reservations for camping can be made 24-hours-a-day at AZStateParks.com or by calling (520) 586-2283 between 8am and 5pm (Mountain Standard Time) seven days per week.

Arizona State Parks in Northern Arizona:

· Dead Horse Ranch State Park - (928) 634-5283 - Cottonwood - 150 campsites - fishing, boating (non-motorized), hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, guided trail rides.

· Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area - (928) 537-3680 - 92 hookup sites, 31 campsites without hookups, fishing, wildlife watching

· Lyman Lake State Park - (928) 337-4441 - 61 campsites, 4 yurts & 4 cabins, fishing, water skiing.

· Homolovi State Park - (928) 289-4106 - 53 campsites, Hopi Ruins, hiking.

· Slide Rock State Park - (928) 282-3034 - natural rock slide in a creek, picnicking

· Red Rock State Park - (928) 282-6907- daily guided nature walk/activities, hiking, and photography. No camping.

Arizona State Parks in Southern Arizona:

· Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798 - 120 campsites - 95 with hookups, 25 without, hiking, horse corrals

· Kartchner Caverns State Park (520) 586-2283 - 62 campsites - cave tours.

· Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485 - 73 campsites - hiking into the Superstition Mountains.

· Patagonia Lake State Park (520) 287-6965 - 120 campsites, boats to rent, fishing, beach, birding

· Picacho Peak State Park (Closed for the summer - May 24 - September 13, 2013)

· Roper Lake State Park (928) 428-6760 - 71 campsites - rock hot tub, fishing.

Arizona State Parks in Western Arizona:

· Alamo Lake State Park (928) 669-2088 - 250 campsites, excellent bass fishing, waterskiing, swimming.

· Buckskin Mountain State Park & River Island (928) 667-3231 - 126 campsites, water sports, cabanas, beach.

· Cattail Cove State Park (928) 855-1223 - 61 campsites. Boating launches, hiking.

· Lake Havasu State Park (928) 855-2784 - 45 campsites - boat launches, great park areas and swimming beach.

For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703), visit the website and online camping reservations at http://www.AZStateParks.com, Twitter/Facebook AZStateParks.