Enjoy Beautiful Parks & Recreation Sites In Arizona

Whether you’re visiting for two days or two weeks, you’ll want to make time for parks and recreation sites in Arizona. Buckskin Mountain State Park in central Arizona offers hiking, and watersports, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood is a popular spot for kayaking. Fool Hollow State Recreation Area in northern Arizona is located in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Enjoy the 150-acre lake, wildlife viewing and hiking.

Kartchner Caverns State Park in southern Arizona boasts the world’s longest soda straw stalactite. Explore the limestone cave on a guided tour. Lost Dutchman State Park, 40 miles east of Phoenix, offers self-guided and ranger-led hikes with stunning views of the Superstition Mountains.

Picacho Peak State Park in southern Arizona is easily accessible from I-10. Stop at the Visitor Center to view exhibits. Hike to Picacho Peak and enjoy spectacular desert views. In spring the park is at its best with hundreds of Mexican gold poppies in bloom. Slide Rock State Park in Sedona is one of the most popular attractions in northern Arizona. Slide down the naturally formed water slide, hike trails around Oak Creek Canyon and enjoy the scenic drive to and from the park along Hwy89-A.

Buckskin Mountain State Park

Arizona is home to a wide variety of outdoor recreation. The Buckskin Mountain State Park in Parker offers superb views of the Buckskin Mountains along the Colorado River. Located below the Parker Dam, the park allows for a variety of recreational fun including hiking, boating, fishing, jet-skiing, swimming, picnicking, volleyball and basketball.

The River Island State Park, located a mile north, has a boat launch area and beautiful sandy cove for relaxing on the beach. Parker Dam, known as the “world's deepest dam,” is a short five miles north of the Park. While visiting Parker, you'll find easy access to the Colorado River as well as convenient amenities. Enjoy your time in central Arizona.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Plan your next visit to Arizona. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located in Cottonwood, across from the Verde River and adjacent to the Coconino National Forest. This central Arizona state park offers a variety of recreational activities.

Whether hiking along one of the many trails, or finding the perfect spot for a picnic, fishing, canoeing or kayaking in the river, there are many opportunities for fun here. The mild temperatures of the park's 3,300 ft elevation allow visitors to spend quality time in this beautiful spot in Arizona.

The park's river and lagoons are a wonderful habitat for birds and reptiles. Gray Fox, Coyote, Jackrabbit, and Mule Deer are among mammals spotted in the park. While visiting Cottonwood, enjoy charming attractions like Jerome State Historic Park and Montezuma Castle National Monument.

Fool Hollow State Recreation Area

Enoy outdoor recreation in AZ. The Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low, encompasses 880 acres including the 150-acre lake. Located in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest – at an elevation of 6,300 feet – the area is a cool respite for the warm summers in northern Arizona. Popular recreational activities include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking.

The five fishing platforms around the lake are great spots to drop a line - and the perfectly placed cleaning stations are a convenient addition. The Amphitheater and Interpretive Area also offers seasonal weekend programs. While in Show Low, have fun exploring the Grand Canyon State.

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Make travel plans for Arizona and check out Kartchner Caverns State Park. The cave houses unique calcite formations – including the world's longest soda straw stalactite at 21 feet, 3 inches – and the world's most extensive formation of brushite moonmilk. During the guided tours, you will learn about the discovery of this fascinating limestone cave, the cave fauna and new scientific discoveries.

The Discovery Center at the Park also features exhibits, displays, and a theater as well as educational information about the caverns. After a day of spelunking, enjoy a comfortable Best Western guest room in Benson, near the park. Spend as much time as you can in this wonderful Southern Arizona gem.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Make plans to explore Arizona's Sonoran Desert. Check out the Apache Trail, where you can visit Lost Dutchman State Park. Surrounded by the Tonto National Forest at an elevation of 2,000 feet, the views of the Superstition Mountains are superb.

The park offers many trails, whether you're hiking on your own, partaking in a moonlight, Ranger-led trek, or walking along a nature trail and setting up a picnic.

Maybe you'll come across the “Lost Dutchman's Mine” along the way. Located 40 miles east of Phoenix in Apache Junction, the park is a wonderful place to explore the Arizona desert.

Picacho Peak State Park

While traveling along Interstate 10 in southern Arizona, be sure to stop and visit Picacho Peak State Park.

This park is near the site of the Battle of Picacho Peak – the westernmost battle of the Civil War. Every March, reenactments of the battle and demonstrations are conducted in the Park.

Hike up to the 1,500-foot peak and enjoy the magnificent desert view from the top, and be sure to bring your camera in the spring, to capture the Park's gorgeous Mexican Gold Poppies in bloom.

Stroll through the Park's new LEED Certified Visitor Center and check out at the exhibits or shop in the gift store. Drive a short distance north of the park to Casa Grande, and enjoy traveling in southern Arizona.

Slide Rock State Park

There are many ways to enjoy Sedona. Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is well-known for the slippery rocks that make up a natural water chute.

But many don't know that it's along side an historic 43-acre apple farm that's one of few remaining intact canyon homesteads left today.

Grab your swimming gear and head over to the Park for an afternoon of sliding down the slippery rocks or just relax in the sun along the creek.

It's a wonderful way to spend a summer day in northern Arizona. The beautiful tree-lined drive to the Canyon is also a fun way to enjoy the Arizona warmth.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Few places in Arizona are as naturally beautiful as Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Home of the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, measuring at 183 feet high over a 400-foot tunnel, this park is located in Payson and was discovered in 1877.

It was dedicated as an Arizona State Park in 1991. Hiking to the top of the bridge and then to the bottom affords the best view of this incredible Bridge.

Four viewpoints from parking lots are also available for a drive-by view. The Visitor Center provides more information about this natural wonder. Have fun exploring northern Arizona.