Take Your Pick Of 1156 Campsites

Take your pick of 1156 campsites (some on river islands!) Cabins, Yurts, Historic Forts, Beaches, Caverns, Rock Slide, Moonlight Hikes, Fishing, Waterskiing, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Tubing, Picnicking, Lounging, Travertine Arch, Birding, Rock Hottub and more!

STAYCATIONS -- in Arizona's State Parks have become more popular each year. Take your pick of 1,156 campsites (some on river islands!) and a plethora of activities such as exploring, fishing, birding, waterskiing and wakeboarding, biking, tubing horseback riding -- the list is endless!

Have you planned that summer vacation? Worried about high gas prices and overnight costs? Why not stay in Arizona where you have a short driving trip to your destination with all kinds of activities packaged nicely in the State Parks system!

An annual pass for day-use is $75 or $200 for the premium river pass and 4 people can go to the State Parks every day of the year! Did you know there are 800 hiking trails in the State of Arizona Trails System and maps of each one available? Another new update is that the State Parks camping reservations can be accessed online this summer for the first time.

In Southern Arizona

In southern Arizona, the best good news is that Catalina State Park, just north of Tucson, has re-opened after the recent rains. Campfire restrictions will still be in place, however, throughout the forests and in all of the State Parks.

Daytrippers can head out to day-use and historic parks or environmental parks such as Kartchner Caverns State Park, Yuma Quartermaster Depot and Territorial Prison State Parks, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.

Picacho Peak State Park is closed due to the hot summer weather.

In Northern Arizona

In Northern Arizona a nice one-day turnaround vacation in the Sedona Verde Valley could include Fort Verde, Jerome, Red Rock, and Slide Rock state parks.

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low is a cool mountain retreat with top fishing areas and Lyman Lake near Springerville will be open through Oct. 17. Cabins, yurts, swimming beaches, and water skiing are favorite activities in this northern park.

Near Payson, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is now open seven days a week and Riordan Mansion, in Flagstaff, is open seven days a week through Labor Day as well.

In Western Arizona

Go west a couple of hours from Phoenix and you reach the three Colorado River State Parks for camping, swimming, boating, and fishing. Alamo Lake near Wenden is a nice, quiet bass fishing lake, but it is mostly used by water skiers in the summer.

Water play is great along the river with air temperatures ranging around 100 degrees and the water a nice cool 80 degrees, making this area wildly popular all summer long.

Be Aware Of Fire Restrictions

No matter where you camp, there will be campfire restrictions due to the extreme drought and fire danger. 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 it is best to use a propane stove, no campfires or charcoal, and only smoke in vehicles.

Northern Arizona State Parks —

• Dead Horse Ranch State Park - (928) 634-5283 - Cottonwood - 150 campsites - fishing, boating (non-motorized), hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, guided trail rides; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area - (928) 537-3680-92 hookup sites, 31 campsites, fishing, swimming; camp cook stoves, no smoking on trails.

• Lyman Lake State Park - (928) 337-4441 - 61 campsites plus 4 yurts / 4 cabins, fishing, waterskiing; camp cook stoves, no smoking on trails.

• Homolovi State Park - (928) 289-4106 - 53 campsites, Ancestral Hopi villages, podcast tours, hiking; camp cook stoves, smoking in vehicles only, no smoking on trails.

Southern Arizona State Parks

• Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798 - RE-OPENED July 8 and taking reservations online for 40 campsites, horse trails and corrals, dayuse hiking; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Kartchner Caverns State Park (520) 586-2283 - 60 campsites - cave tours (call for information); camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485 - 70 campsites, hiking into Superstitions; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Patagonia Lake State Park (520) 287-6965 - 75 campsites, boats to rent, fishing, beach; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Picacho Peak State Park (closed until Sept. 14) due to high temperatures.

• Roper Lake State Park (928) 428-6760 - 71 campsites - hot tub, fishing; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails. (Call the park for reservations.)

Western Arizona State Parks

• Alamo Lake State Park (928) 669-2088 - 250 campsites, excellent bass fishing, waterskiing, swimming; cook stoves only, no smoking on trails. (Call for reservations.)

• Buckskin Mountain State Park & River Island (928) 667-3231 - 126 campsites, water sports, cabanas, beach; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Cattail Cove State Park (928) 855-1223 - 61 campsites. launch ramp, dog beach; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

• Lake Havasu State Park (928) 855-2784 - 47 campsites - boat launches, great park areas and swimming beach; camp cook stoves only, no smoking on trails.

More Information

For information about Arizona State Parks, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703 or visit the Web site at AZStateParks.com to make campground and cave reservations. Also, visit Twitter and Facebook at AZStateParks.

Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times
E-Mail Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times

Recreation Is Mobile.®