Spring is prime time to get outside in Arizona, and if you’re looking to add a little more meaning to your miles, state parks across the state are rolling out a full slate of guided hikes, birding events, and night-sky programs this April. Through Arizona State Parks and Trails’s Outdoors250 Read more…
Starting September 1, 2025, Camp Verde’s Rockin’ River Ranch State Park will welcome visitors Thursdays through Mondays, expanding from its previous weekend-only schedule. The 209-acre park nestled at the confluence of West Clear Creek and the Verde River, is a day-use park bursting with outdoor recreation opportunity, now available two Read more…
Starting February 25, 2025, Arizona State Parks and Trails will implement increased fees to support park operations and improvements. Before embarking on a visit to your chosen state park destination, be sure to visit that park’s webpage for details on the entry fee where and when you go. Key Changes: Read more…
Arizona’s fall colors may arrive later than in other parts of the country, but the state’s autumn display is well worth the wait. As October approaches, Arizona State Parks and Trails reminds us that the landscape will soon transform into vibrant showcases of red, orange, and yellow, drawing visitors eager Read more…
Arizona is known by outdoor enthusiasts for many unique things but few are more majestic than its dark skies and excellent stargazing. Associations and clubs hold stargazing events frequently, and often in partnership with parks many Arizona recreationists already know and love. From star parties in Grand Canyon National Park Read more…
It’s Memorial Day Weekend and outdoor recreation agencies, including Arizona State Parks and Trails, are thrilled to celebrate the unofficial start of summer by welcoming in visitors to wild places across the state. AZ State Parks reminds recreationists to enjoy responsibly and with caution. Remember that with increased crowds expected Read more…
Rattlesnakes are defensive around humans Despite what you might hear and read, snakebites are relatively uncommon so long as individuals stay vigilant and avoid situations that could provoke a snake. Rattlesnakes play vital roles in maintaining balanced ecosystems by controlling rodent populations and understanding the behavior of rattlesnakes is essential Read more…
Summertime in Arizona is characterized by extreme heat that can make outdoor recreation experiences less enjoyable or even deadly. But with so many beautiful places to visit around the state, both Arizona locals and visitors will for sure be heading out into the wild to enjoy the unique landscape – Read more…
Before Phoenix Valley locals and visitors head north for their outdoor recreation to escape the Central Arizona heat, here are some State Park day trips (with park advisory information and pre-summer programming) to plan for ahead of the heat. Lost Dutchman State Park Named after the legendary lost gold mine, Read more…
Sprawling across 286 acres of pristine natural beauty, Red Rock State Park serves both as a nature preserve and an environmental education hub. Its picturesque landscape features winding trails that traverse through dense clusters of manzanita and juniper, leading visitors to the lush banks of Oak Creek. Encircled by native Read more…