Slide Rock State Park is Temporarily Closed Due to Slide Fire

(Phoenix, AZ - May 21, 2014) - The State Parks in Arizona provide many opportunities for Memorial Day 2014 campers. If you have not already reserved your campsite, some campsites are already full. Some State Parks such as Lyman Lake near Springerville and Alamo Lake near Wenden will have campgrounds that may not fill to capacity. Day use and historic parks have plenty of room for daytrippers and Kartchner Caverns State Park always has 100 walk-up tickets each day and good camping opportunities (book cave tours in advance by phone or the website, if possible.)

Memorial Day weekend is one of the most popular weekends to travel in Arizona, but campers are encouraged to use only propane stoves and heaters this summer while they are camping to prevent wildfires from escaped campfires. Remember in Arizona, especially during drought, fire can burn slow along dry roots and duff and come from underground in the forest far from a campsite. Currently, Arizona State Parks are in Stage 1 fire restrictions but due to the current wildfires those can change quickly. The public should call ahead to the park you intend to visit for the latest information.

For more information about restrictions in specific locations, visit the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information website at http://wildlandfire.az.gov. Remember if you cause a fire under fire restrictions it may result in substantial fines and jail time. To keep your family and public lands safe while camping please follow these precautionary tips:

Bring a propane stove for cooking/heating rather than using a campfire.

Only smoke in vehicles or designed campsite and not while hiking.

STATE PARKS CAMPGROUNDS in Northern Arizona - Call ahead...

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

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area - (928) 537-3680 - 92 hookup sites, 31 campsites, great fishing and swimming. Campfires in designated fire rings only.

Lyman Lake State Park - (928) 337-4441 - 56 campsites & 4 cabins, fishing, waterskiing. Campfires in designated fire rings or grills only. Use caution during high winds.

Homolovi State Park - (928) 289-4106 - Temporarily closed due to road improvement work. The Park is expected to re-open on May 28.

Slide Rock State Park - (928) 282-3034 - Temporarily closed due to Slide Fire. The Park is expected to re-open after threat of the wildfire has passed. The Park is also being used as an incident command area for the Slide Fire.

Red Rock State Park - (928) 282-6907- No camping. Lots of hiking opportunities. No smoking while hiking.

STATE PARKS CAMPGROUNDS in Southern Arizona - Call ahead...

Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798 - 125 campsites, hiking, corrals for horses. Only charcoal and propane fires allowed in campgrounds.

Kartchner Caverns State Park (520) 586-2283 - 60 campsites - cave tours. Campfires prohibited except for the use of propane grills/stoves. Smoking in camp area or vehicle, no smoking while hiking.

Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485 - 75 campsites, hiking into Superstitions. Campfires are allowed in metal fire rings only. Use caution during high winds. Propane and charcoal cooking are allowed. No smoking while hiking.

Oracle State Park (520) 896-2425 - No camping. Lots of hiking opportunities. No smoking while hiking.

Patagonia Lake State Park (520) 287-6965 - 120 campsites, boats to rent, fishing, beach. Campfires ok in designated grills, must provide own firewood, no gathering or cutting of firewood on park property. Smoking in designated campsite areas only, no smoking while hiking.

Picacho Peak State Park (520) 466-3183 - Seasonal summer closure from May 23 to September 12, 2014.

Roper Lake State Park (928) 428-6760 - 72 campsites/cabins- hot tub, fishing. Campfires and smoking restricted to developed areas only, no smoking while hiking.

STATE PARKS CAMPGROUNDS in Western Arizona - Call Ahead...

Alamo Lake State Park (928) 669-2088 - 265 campsites, excellent bass fishing, waterskiing, swimming. Campfires restricted to park provided fire rings only. No fires along shoreline or wildlife areas. No smoking except in vehicles and designated areas. No fireworks.

Buckskin Mountain State Park & River Island (928) 667-3231 - 126 campsites, water sports, cabanas, beach. Campfires in designated grills, no smoking while hiking.

Cattail Cove State Park (928) 855-1223 - 61 campsites; 30 Lake Sites (accessible only by boat). In the main campground, fires are permitted in designated fire pits only unless there is a high wind advisory and in that case no fires would be allowed. On the Lake Sites, gas/propane stoves may be used for cooking purposes only.

Lake Havasu State Park (928) 855-2784 - 47 campsites - boat launches, great park areas and swimming beach. Campfires in fire-rings only. Smoking in camp areas, no smoking while hiking.

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). Campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. Follow AZStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.