Arizona State Parks Guide
Discover a world of adventure with our comprehensive guide to Arizona State Park Guide and travel tips for Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson. From hiking through breathtaking landscapes to experiencing vibrant city life, Arizona offers something for everyone. Immerse yourself in nature’s beauty or explore exciting urban attractions. Start planning your unforgettable Arizona getaway today by exploring our in-depth Arizona state park information and city guides.
Western Region of Arizona
Alamo Lake State Park
P.O. Box 38, Wenden, Arizona 85357Phone: (928) 669-2088Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/ALLA
Alamo Lake State Park receives relatively large numbers of visitors in the mild seasons of spring, winter and fall, mostly because of the good fishing it offers – bass and catfish are especially plentiful. The lake is enclosed to the south, west and north by low, barren hills and beyond by mountain wilderness areas, and although not especially interesting itself, the state park is a good place for a few days relaxation, or as a base from which to explore the surrounding lands.
Buckskin Mountain State Park
5476 Highway 95, Parker, Arizona 85344Phone: (928) 667-3231Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/BUMO
Buckskin Mountain State Park offers one of the most exquisite views along the Parker strip, an 18-mile stretch between Parker Dam and Headgate Dam. Mountains command the river on both the Arizona and California sides, and the wildlife is as varied as the recreational opportunities along the river.
Cattail Cove State Park
P.O. Box 1990, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86405Phone: (928) 855-1223Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/CACO
Whether you’re interested in swimming, fishing or just lounging and relaxing, Cattail Cove State Park offers you and your family a chance to get away and enjoy tranquility along Lake Havasu. The park features a beach, boat ramp, and 61 campsites along the shore of Lake Havasu.
Lake Havasu State Park
699 London Bridge Road, Lake Havasu, Arizona 86403Phone: (928) 855-2784Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/LAHA
The scenic shoreline of Lake Havasu State Park is an ideal place to enjoy beautiful beaches, nature trails, boat ramps, and convenient campsites. This spot is truly a watersport haven located near the famous London Bridge of Lake Havasu City.
Yuma Crossing State Historic Park
201 N. 4th Avenue, Yuma, Arizona 85364Phone: (928) 329-0471Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/YUQU
Yuma Crossing State Historic Park commemorates 5 centuries of history in its museum and along its winding pathways through 9 acres past 6 restored and 6 replicated buildings. The park is a salute to historic modes of transportation and is recognized as a key location in the cultural and educational development of western history by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
1 Prison Hill Road, Yuma, Arizona 85364Phone: (928) 783-4771Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/YUTE
Yuma Territorial Prison is a living museum of the Old West. More than 3,000 desperadoes, convicted of crimes ranging from polygamy to murder, were imprisoned in rock and adobe cells here during the prison’s 33-year existence between 1876 and 1909. The cells, main gate and guard tower are still standing, providing visitors with a glimpse of convict life in the Southwest a century ago.
Northern Region of Arizona
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
675 Dead Horse Rancho Rd, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326Phone: (928) 634-5283Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/DEHO
Dead Horse Ranch is situated amidst an abundance of life along the Verde River. A six-mile reach of the river is known as the Verde River Greenway. Its unique ecosystem, the Cottonwood / Willow riparian gallery forest, is one of less than 20 such riparian zones in the world. Life along the river changes with the seasons, giving visitors a glimpse of the numerous species of raptors, neotropical migrants, resident songbirds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Homolovi Ruins State Park
HCR 63, Box 5, Winslow, Arizona 86047Phone: (928) 289-4106Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/HORU
The site of Arizona’s first archaeological state park consists of four major Pueblo sites occupied at one time by ancestors of today’s Hopi Indians.
Fort Verde State Historic Park
P.O. Box 397, Camp Verde, Arizona 86322Phone: (928) 567-3275Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/FOVE
Fort Verde State Park attracts tourists wishing to learn about life on the frontier. The site was the primary base for General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers. They were charged with squelching Apache and Yavapi Indian uprisings in the late 1800’s. Some of the original buildings still stand today. On this site in April 1873, Tonto Apache Chief Chalipun, with 300 of his followers in attendance, officially surrendered to General George Crook. The fort’s museum, located in the old headquarters building, exhibits artifacts that explain the history and methods of frontier soldiering.
Jerome State Historic Park
P.O. Box D, Jerome, Arizona 86331Phone: (928) 634-5381Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/JERO
In 1962 the sons of Jimmy Douglas donated the Douglas Mansion to the State of Arizona. The Jerome State Historic Park opened in 1965. It has continued to develop its exhibits and expand its collection of historic artifacts and archival material. The park’s mission is to interpret the history of the Douglas family and the history of Jerome in the mining era.
Red Rock State Park
4050 Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336Phone: (928) 282-6907Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/RERO
The Red Rock State Park property was acquired by the Arizona State Parks Board in 1986 and the park was opened to the public in 1991. The park’s 286 acres were originally part of the Smoke Trail Ranch, owned by Jack and Helen Frye. Arizona’s famous Oak Creek meanders through this scenic park, creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife. This riparian habitat, the land-based ecosystem closely associated with Oak Creek, provides the setting and the opportunity for Red Rock State Park to offer a center for environmental education.
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
409 West Riordan Road, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001Phone: (928) 779-4395Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/RIMA
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, the Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure – a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servant’s quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon’s El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
Slide Rock State Park
6871 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, Arizona 86336Phone: (928) 282-3034Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/SLRO
One of Oak Creek Canyon’s most colorful and popular attractions is found at Slide Rock State Park. Every summer hundreds of thousands of Arizonans and other visitors will seek relief from the heat in the cool waters of Oak Creek at Slide Rock. At the same time they will experience the beautiful red rocks up close and personal.
Eastern Region of Arizona
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
37615 U.S. Hwy 60, Superior, Arizona 85273Phone: (520) 689-2811Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/BOTH
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is an Arizona State Park located southeast of Phoenix, near Superior, Arizona. It is Arizona’s largest and oldest botanical garden, dating back to the 1920s. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum became affiliated with the University of Arizona and the Arizona State Park system in 1976.
Catalina State Park
P.O. Box 36986, Tucson, Arizona 85740Phone: (520) 628-5798Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/CATA
This scenic desert park offers camping, hiking, picnicking, bicycling, horseback riding, plant and wildlife viewing, and an archaeological site, all just a few minutes from Tucson. Catalina State Park is located within Coronado National Forest, and is managed by Arizona State Parks in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. The park encompasses 5,493 acres at elevations near 3,000 feet.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
1500 N Fool Hollow Lake, Show Low, Arizona 85901Phone: (928) 537-3680Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/FOHO
Fool Hollow Lake offers a multitude of diverse attractions. Along the 149-acre lake are 100-foot pine trees and great blue herons. Show Low Creek flows into Fool Hollow Lake, providing a natural feeding ground for a variety of wildlife and a diverse fishery. Fishing opportunities are abundant with rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass, black crappie, green sunfish, channel catfish and walleye are all present in the lake.
Lost Dutchman State Park
6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, Arizona 85219Phone: (480) 982-4485Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/LODU
Named after the fabled lost gold mine, this park is located in the Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 2000 feet. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, nature trails, 35 regular campsites, picnic facilities, and special programs throughout the year.
Lyman Lake State Park
P.O. Box 1428, St. Johns, Arizona 85936Phone: (928) 337-4441Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/LYLA
Welcome to Lyman Lake State Park, the first recreational state park in Arizona. This 1,180 acre park encompasses the shoreline of a 1,500 acre reservoir. Lyman Lake is at an elevation of 6,000 feet and was created as an irrigation reservoir by damming the Little Colorado River in 1915. The lake is fed by melted snow from the slopes of Mount Baldy and Escudilla Mountain, the second and third highest mountains in Arizona. Water is channeled into this river valley from a 790 square mile watershed which extends into New Mexico.
McFarland State Historic Park
P.O. Box 109, Florence, Arizona 85232Phone: (520) 868-5216Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/MCFA
McFarland State Historic Park contains a preserved courthouse and other buildings from when Arizona was just a territory in 1878. The Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.
Oracle State Park
3820 Wildlife Drive, Oracle, Arizona 85623Phone: (520) 896-2425Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/ORAC
Oracle State Park is located in the northeastern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains near the town of Oracle. Ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 feet in elevation, the nearly 4,000-acre park consists of oak grassland, riparian woodland, and mesquite scrub habitats which contain a diversity of wildlife and plant species.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
P.O. Box 1245, Payson, Arizona 85547Phone: (928) 476-4202Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA
Tonto Natural Bridge is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. Visitors can stand on top of the bridge or hike down below to capture the true size and beauty of this geologic wonder.
Southern Region of Arizona
Kartchner Caverns State Park
P.O. Box 1849, Benson, Arizona 85602Phone: (520) 586-2283Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA
Kartchner Caverns State Park, located in southeastern Arizona, encompasses 550 acres at the base of the Whetstone Mountains. The seven acres of pristine caverns that have become the focus for this new State Park are hidden beneath one of the small hills which dots the majestic Chihuahuan Desert.
Patagonia Lake State Park
400 Patagonia Lake Road, Patagonia, Arizona 85624Phone: (520) 287-6965Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/PALA
Patagonia Lake State Park is located approximately twelve miles north of Nogales, this two hundred sixty five-acre man-made lake is one of the prettiest of Arizona’s desert lakes.
Picacho Peak State Park
P.O. Box 275, Picacho, Arizona 85241Phone: (520) 466-3183Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/PIPE
Picacho Peak rises majestically 1,500 feet above the Sonoran Desert floor about 35 miles northwest of Tucson just off Interstate 10. Hiking, camping and picnicking are the preferred pastimes here. Hikers enjoy the climb to the top of Picacho Peak, while the less adventurous can stroll along a trail at its base and marvel at the vibrant spectacle of the season’s blooming wildflowers.
Roper Lake State Park
101 E. Roper Lake Road, Safford, Arizona 85546Phone: (928) 428-6760Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/ROLA
Roper Lake State Park, six miles south of Safford, in southeastern Arizona, can be both inviting and invigorating. At three thousand one hundred and thirty feet, it is a great place to swim, fish, picnic, hike and soak away your aches and pains in a natural hot mineral spring. The park covers four hundred acres with two sections: Roper Lake itself and, three miles south, Dankworth Pond.
Sonoita Creek Natural Area
400 Lake Patagonia Road, Patagonia, AZ 85624Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/SOCREstablished in 1994, Sonoita Creek State Natural Area’s mission is to preserve this fragile riparian area and its surrounding environment. Encompassing a major portion of the Sonoita Creek and Coal Mine Spring watersheds, this is the State of Arizona’s first significant Natural Area.
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
P.O. Box 216, 223 Toughnut Street, Tombstone, Arizona 85638Phone: (520) 457-3311Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/TOCO
The Tombstone courthouse was built in 1882, and served as the Cochise County Courthouse until 1929. Some of the most notorious outlaws of the Wild West passed through those doors, and today the courthouse is a museum dedicated to those bygone days of mining and gambling and shooting. There is an elevator available for handicapped visitors.
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
P.O. Box 1296, Tubac, Arizona 85646Phone: (520) 398-2252Website: azstateparks.com/Parks/TUPR
Tubac Presidio (San Ignacio de Tubac) was established in 1752 in response to the Pima Indian Rebellion, an uprising to protest forced labor in local mines and ranches. The presidio (fort) was intended to protect the various missions in the area and to quell further uprisings. Tubac is the oldest of the three Spanish presidios founded in Arizona and was once considered the official capitol of the region. Today the park and museum highlight the contributions of American Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans and Anglo-Americans to Arizona’s history and development.
