Take a First Day Hike at an Arizona State Park on January 1st

Hike at an Arizona State Park on January 1st! Get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family during America’s State Parks First Day Hikes.

All 50 state park systems participate in this annual program and 14 Arizona State Parks will participate in this 3rd Annual First Day Hike Program! Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing are listed here.

In addition to the First Day Hikes there are a host of activities and events in January, a month that sees snowbirds flocking to the mild Arizona desert climate. Boat tours and bird walks are popular at Patagonia Lake SP, as is the First Saturdays Concert Series at Catalina SP (photo above left).

Learn how to make art from nature at Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP  an introduction to hiking in the Sonoran Desert at Lost Dutchman SP,  or watch an Old West reenactment at the Annual Gathering of the Gunfighters (photo left) at Yuma Territorial Prison SHP and many more. You can see the list of events on the Arizona State Parks website.

Cattail Cove State Park to offer long-term RV stays this season

Arizona's Cattail Cove State Park will block out 15 campsites from January 1 through April 30, 2014 for long-term stays in RVs. Alamo Lake State Park offers a similar program. The park is south of Lake Havasu City along the Colorado River.

Guests who wish to take advantage of long-term camping (longer than two weeks) must pay in full for the first two weeks of their stay, along with a $5 reservation fee.

All long-term reservations will be handled by a call center at (520) 586-2283. The call center will find a site that runs concurrently for the length of stay the guest requests and will collect the first two weeks plus the reservation fee and will block out duration of stay in two-week increments. The minimum length of stay for a long-term site will be 28 four weeks. Maximum length of stay will be 12 weeks.

Upon a guest's arrival, their first two weeks will have been paid in advance through the reservation process. After the first two weeks have ended, the guest will provide future payment in two-week increments on the last day of each two-week segment. Payments will be made by the customer at the contact station during regular business hours. If a guest decides to depart earlier than the date they originally agreed upon, the standard reservation cancellation policy will apply. All other policies and rules governing Camping will remain in effect. This is a pilot program subject to change.

BLM reveals fees for Quartzsite LTVA camping

As autumn begins to roll around, the beating hearts of snowbirds begin to take on a faster rhythm. If your travel plans mean pointing your nose toward the great Southwest, you may wonder: What's the scoop on camping in Quartzsite?

Years back, when we first started staying on the LTVAs (Long Term Visitor Areas) near Quartzsite, the permit fees for staying on over the season were just $50. But then that dreadful thing happens – the too much of a good thing syndrome. Prices started jumping, and pretty soon, it cost almost that much just to stay for a couple of weeks.

Happily, for the 2013 – 2014 season, the BLM has no plans to crank up permit fees. This year a season permit, good from September 15 through April 15 runs $180; a two-week permit will set you back $40. If you're not familiar with the "benefits" that come with the permit fees, here they are:

The LTVAs near Quartzsite are four large patches of desert land. Two of them, LaPosa West and LaPosa East are close to town, in fact, in walking distance of some of the most popular shows. Farther out, and filled with quiet, LaPosa South and Tyson Wash. All four areas have garbage dumpsters. Regardless of your choice of area, your permit also provides you with a place to take on fresh water and rid yourself of waste water.

The dump station is located a couple of miles "in" to the LaPosa South LTVA. You'll definitely need your permit; volunteers make sure only those with the sticker on their windshield get near the station. At high season (mid-December through the end of January) there can be long lines at the dump station. Best to come late in the afternoon if you don't want to stand in line. There is a "blue boy" dump station near the entrance of LaPosa South – lines there are a rarity, but there's no fresh water to rinse hoses and the smell can be, well, smelly.

Mechanics aside, what else does your permit buy you? Your choice of an RV site in the wide-open cactus-studded spaces. If you like rubbing elbows with other folks and get a kick out of watching what kind of rigs people travel in, by all means, park up front near any one of the entrance stations. If you're more of a solitary, wildlife viewing, peace and quiet loving sort, head way back in the area of your choice. We've found going "way back" in LaPosa South provides some of the most spectacular views and the least amount of "bugging." 

Permits go on sale, opening day, September 15. You can buy yours at any "open" entrance station (the flag will be run up the pole) and permits are good for any of the seven LTVAs in the Yuma region.

Two Arizona State Parks now offer long-term winter stays of up to 84 nights

Want to spend your winter at a beautiful place? Consider an Arizona State Park. Two parks are now accepting reservations for continuous stays of up to 84 days. This is a pilot program subject that may change down the road.

Alamo Lake State Parks will block 59 sites for Long Term Camping from October 1 through March 31. Cattail Cove State Park will offer the same long term opportunity from January 1 to April 30.

Guests who wish to take advantage of long-term camping (longer than two weeks) must pay in full for the first two weeks of their stay, along with the $5 reservation fee.

All long-term reservations will be handled by the parks' Call Center (520) 586-2283. The Call Center will find a site that runs concurrently for the length of stay the guest requests. The Call Center will collect the first two weeks plus the reservation fee and will block out duration of stay in two-week increments. The minimum length of stay for a long-term site will be 28 nights (four weeks). Maximum length of stay will be 84 nights (12 weeks).

Upon the guest arrival, a camper's first two weeks will have been paid in advance through the reservation process. After the first two weeks have ended, the guest will provide future payment in two-week increments on the last day of each two-week segment. Payments will be made by the customer at the contact station during regular business hours. If a guest decides to depart earlier than the date they originally agreed upon, the standard reservation cancellation policy will apply.

Tonto Natural Bridge a cool escape from Arizona summer heat

When it's sizzling in Phoenix and Tucson, it's a good time to escape to a cooler place.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, surrounded by a forest of pine trees, could be a good choice--not only for its cool, but for it's natural scenic views, including the iconic natural travertine bridge, believed to be the largest in the world.

The discovery of this hidden valley between Pine and Payson was discovered in 1877 by a prospector who was being chased by Apaches. He hid out for three days in a cave under the bridge until the Apaches left, then he did what any prospector would do and claimed squatter's rights.

Visitors can hike to the top of the bridge as well as below it, to enjoy the beauty of the arch and the two waterfalls that cascade over the edge.

Visit the Tonto Natural Bridge website for more information and to watch a video describing the park.

Summer Special: Free Campsite with Purchase of 2 Adult Cave Tour Tickets at Kartchner Caverns SP!

Enjoy a cave tour and camp one night free! Free campsite must be used on same visit. Valid June 1 - Sept. 30, 2013. May NOT be redeemed online. No other discounts accepted. Must mention promotion at time of booking. To reserve call (520) 586-2283 and ask for the Summer Special Promotion!

July 20: Moonlight Hike
6:30–8:30 pm. Foothills Loop trail. Meet at the Discovery Center. Join us for a unique ranger-led hike on the Foothills Loop during the full moon. Wear suitable clothing and shoes and bring water, a flashlight, and insect spray. Trail is moderately difficult and 2.5 miles long. Please RSVP with your contact info and number of people in your group to: reservations(at)azstateparks.gov. $6 per vehicle entrance fee applies.

On-Site Volunteers Needed
Escape the Phoenix heat! Summer on-site park volunteer opportunities are available. Bring your RV and live at the park while volunteering at an amazing resource! Learn more.

Learn more about Kartchner Caverns on their website, which includes video tours and a history of the discovery of the caverns in 1974 and its evolution to a state park.

Dramatic "car over cliff" video from Tortilla Flats drive.

If you've ever taken your RV over the nasty curves of Arizona State Route 88 out of Apache Junction, and on through Tortilla Flats, you'll know it's not a highway for the faint-of-heart. Last November a young local fellow took his shiny BMW, equipped it with a video cam, and tried his hand at a little road racing.

The video, released last week, relates a heart-pounding, head-banging experience of running your car off the road and over a cliff. Nobody seriously hurt -- other than the insurance company. Nah, don't show it to your teenage drivers as a precautionary tale, they'll just want to know where they can try it!

Don't miss the Mariachi Festival at Patagonia Lake State Park

If you are a fan of Cinco de Mayo and mariachi music--even if you are not a Latino--Patagonia Lake State Park is the place to be. But you don't have to choose between Cinco de Mayo events, since the Mariachi Festival at the lake is on May 18th.

Tough the park itself, with it's picturesque lake and excellent bird watching, is enough to schedule a visit, you
can spice up your Spring with Patagonia Lake SP's Annual Mariachi Festival. Enjoy a wide variety of Southern Arizona Mariachi bands live and on stage.

Featuring authentic Mexican food, you can also enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle corn & shaved ice! Visitors may also bring their own picnic basket and there will be a Piñata for the kids! Don’t forget to bring: Plenty of water, lawn chair, sunscreen, and your party hat.

 In addition, Patagonia offers fishing, birding, boat tours, and nature walks. Entrance Station Opens at 7 am. $15 Per Vehicle (up to four adults). Download Event Flier (319 KB PDF).

Musical Schedule:
10:00 am: Mariachi Sonido De Mexico (Band)
11:00 am: Cholla High Magnet School (Band)
Noon: Dance Group Ballet Folklórico Tapatio (Dance Group)
1:00 pm: Mariachi Aztlan, Pueblo High School (Band)
2:00 pm: Nogales High School Apaches (Band)
3:00 pm: Mariachi Alegre (Band)

Moonlight hikes, reptiles, and geology at Red Rock State Park

Sedona's red rock country offers colorful and spectacular views and at Red Rock State Park you can learn about the region with Ranger led hikes and programs. Here is a sampling for April and May: 

April 25: Moonlight Hike

The Moonlight Hike is among the most popular interpretive hikes at the Park. Led by a naturalist, it gives hikers the rare opportunity to enjoy the sunset and moonrise from an overlook and return by the light of the moon, while also having the chance to learn about Sedona and its surrounding areas.

Verde Valley and park history, as well as archeology, geology, botany, and riparian wildlife information, is offered. The hike lasts two to 2 1/2 hours and covers a distance of approximately two miles. Rangers ask hikers to arrive approximately 30 minutes before starting time to insure participation.

No late arrivals can be allowed and reservations are required! When you call 928-282-6907, the arrival time will be given. Wear suitable clothing and shoes (prepare for cool nights) and bring water, a flashlight, and insect spray. A $5.00 per person program fee is charged at the time of the reservation. There is also a $10.00 entrance fee to the park for a car of four adults. Program fees are non-refundable unless the park must cancel the hike after your arrival.

May 5: Sunday Lecture Series: Close Encounters of the Reptilian Kind 2 pm. Dennis Jex will present hands-on and interactive opportunities with his program on Close Encounters of the Reptilian Kind. The fun and educational presentation about snakes will be held in the Park theatre. Dennis will talk about the many facts and myths associated with snakes. You will also learn how to treat - or better yet - avoid snakebites, and how to relocate a snake, if necessary. Reservations are required due to limited space. Call the Park at 928-282-6907 to ensure a seat.

Live snakes will be used to enhance your "up close and personal" educational experience. Do you know snakes eat termites? Some eat scorpions, centipedes, cockroaches, and other insects. Do you know the first thing to do if you're bitten by a rattlesnake? Find out the answers to these and many other questions during this fun and interesting presentation. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch and hold non-venomous snakes for an entertaining and educational close encounter. At the end of the presentation, there will be time for questions. Don't forget to bring your camera!

Dennis Jex has presented educational programs throughout Arizona for several years. His passion for reptiles began at any early age, compelling him to be an advocate for their place on planet earth. He will familiarize you with these wonderful creatures and share fun and interesting information about them. Dennis also assists in field research projects for the benefit of snakes and lizards in Arizona.

Dennis is a strong support of Red Rock State Park, stating, "We are very fortunate to have Red Rock State Park here in Sedona. It's a special place in the heart of Red Rock Country that is a protected safe haven for many plants and animals, including snakes and lizards. Within its boundaries, the Park also protects a section of one of the most endangered ecosystems in the Southwest, the riparian area along Oak Creek. The Park maintains one of the best displays of flora and fauna, including identification books and pictures, that I have seen anywhere in Arizona. It's a good place to learn about local history, geology, and other aspects of the area as well. The Park offers an ongoing variety of public education programs. Red Rock State Park has a dedicated staff and excellent core of volunteers that enable visitors to have a high quality of educational experience on every visit. The Park holds a special place in my heart where I can go relish and rejoice in the nature experience."

May 12: Geology Hike

2 pm. Spring is perfect to join an experienced guide on a hike that focuses on the area's geology. Have you ever wondered why the rocks are red, where they came from, and where they are going? This experience will answer those questions while explaining the rock formations that create the scenic backdrop of Red Rock State Park.

The hike includes the Eagle's Nest Trail for great views while learning about the geology. More than a guided hike, it's an interpretive experience for beginners and advanced geologists. The hike lasts approximately two hours and has a 250 feet elevation climb. Bring water and wear suitable shoes.

 Red Rock State Park is open 7 days a week from 8 am – 5 pm. The Visitor Center is open 9 am – 5 pm daily. Movie Theater, Guided Walks, Jr. Ranger Program. The mission of the park is to preserve the riparian habitat associated with Oak Creek; to serve as an environmental education facility; and to provide limited passive recreational opportunities.

Mark your calendar for March 9, the 7th annual Geo Cache Desert Bash at Cattail Cove SP

Cattail Cove SP will host the 7th Annual Geocache Desert Bash treasure hunt with a cactus walk, presentations, and food.

For those not familiar with Geocaching, it is related to orienteering where people find their way using a compass, except that Geocaching takes advantage of personal, handheld Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to seek out a specific location.

After the Geocache event treasure hunters and visitors are invited for a free raffle and cake starting at noon. A hot dog vendor will also be on site for lunch. Call the park at 928 855-1223 for more information.

This event won an AZTEC (Arizona Talent in Event Concepts) award for its official Arizona Centenntial Event Geo-Cache Bash on March 12 last year at the park south of Lake Havasu City. The AZTEC awards strive to recognize outstanding examples of festival and event production and promotion in the State of Arizona. The park was honored for "Best AZ Centennial Extra Element" which recognized the park for producing an added element to an existing annual event.

The annual geo-caching treasure hunt event features teams broken up into easy, moderate, and difficult cache groups and based on their specific missions set out to find treasures in the park using clues and their GPS systems.

Following the Geo-caching, teams returned to the campgrounds and were entered into raffles for a brand new Garmin GPS system as well as other prizes such as cooking spices, key chains, and more.

For more information visit the Cattail Cove State Park website.

Oracle State Park re-opens for weekends in 2013 February through April

Oracle State Park, Center for Environmental Education, will re-open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays beginning February 2, 2013 from 8am to 5pm through April 28, 2013.

Spring activities will include the popular guided bird walks and hikes, tours of the historic Kannally ranch house, and environmental education school programs are offered weekdays by reservation.

On February 2 and 16, join Volunteer Mary Ellen Flynn for a Guided Bird Walk. Meet on the upper patio of the Kannally Ranch House at 8:15 am. The walk is free with park entrance fee. No reservation needed.

On February 9 and 16, there will be a Guided Hike with Gaston Meloche. 3-5 mile group hikes are planned. Reservation is required. Meet at 9 am at the Kannally Ranch House both days. Call Hike Leader, Gaston, at (520) 638-5404 to sign up.

Annual Oracle Volunteer Training will be held on February 15. There will be an open house Orientation from 9am to noon in the living room of the Kannally Ranch House. Please call for a reservation (520) 895-2425. The first class is a no-commitment-necessary introduction to the Oracle State Park (OSP) Volunteer Program, Environmental Education School Programs and introduction to the Cultural History of the park. Volunteer Training continues weekly Fridays through March. On Friday February 22, learn more about the park's natural history - geology, plants and wildlife - and interpretive education mission.

Each Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 2pm starting on February 2, tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House will resume. House tours are free with park admission. Visitors will learn the stories behind its hand-carved corbels, stenciled walls, hand-formed fireplace, French casement windows and cozy ranch kitchen. The Kannally Ranch House is a four-level pueblo-revival adobe home with Moorish and Mediterranean influences. It was built by the Kannally ranching family and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The displays include family photos, furnishings and several paintings by "self-taught" cowboy artist Lee Kannally. Picnicking on the patios is welcomed.

Oracle State Park has trails that offer varying degrees of difficulty including a four-mile section of the Arizona Trail that transects the park. Bring your camera, binoculars, notebook, sketchbook, birdbook and leash for your pet.

Oracle State Park is located northeast of Tucson in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains and features quiet picnic spots, miles of hiking trails, stunning views of the mountains, access to the Arizona Trail plus other oak-woodland trails. Restaurants and attractions in the quaint community of Oracle are nearby.

Elevations in the 4,000-acre wildlife refuge range from 3,500 to 4,500 feet. The park features a diversity of animals, plant species and rock formations. There are also oak tree-shaded washes, mesquite scrub habitats and riparian woodlands with manzanita and beargrass.

For more information visit the website at AZStateParks.com, call the park office at (520) 895-2425. The Park Entrance Fee is $7 per vehicle for up to 4 adults.

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), visit the website and online camping reservations at AZStateParks.com, Twitter/Facebook AZStateParks.

You will find Bob Difley's RVing ebooks on desert boondocking and saving money on the road in RV Bookstore.

The Buffalo Soldiers return to Fort Verde State Historic Park for living history and riding demonstrations

The Buffalo Soldiers are coming to Fort Verde to celebrate African American Heritage Month, in conjunction with the Town of Camp Verde’s 13th annual Pecan and Wine Festival. Mark the dates of: Saturday, February 16, 2013: 9 am - 5 pm & Sunday, February 17, 2013: 9 am - 1 pm.

The Buffalo Soldiers will present living history and horseback riding demonstrations and show 1870s period equipment & uniforms. In addition there is a Pecan Pie Contest (prior registration with park staff required).

Who or what are the Buffalo Soldiers?

Nearly 16 months after the Civil War ended, an Act of Congress was approved on July 28, 1866 and "authorized the formation of two regiments of cavalry composed of "colored" men. On September 21, 1866, the 9th Cavalry Regiment was activated at Greenville, Louisiana, and the 10th Cavalry Regiment was activated at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Troop I (10th Cavalry) came to Fort Verde in 1885.

The first regimental commanders were Colonel Edward Hatch (9th Cavalry) and Colonel Benjamin Grierson (10th Cavalry) under whose leadership the two units were trained, equipped and began a long and proud history. For over two decades, the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments conducted campaigns against Native American tribes on a western frontier that extended from Fore Verde State Historic Park to Texas, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona.

They engaged in several skirmishes against such great chiefs as Quanah Parker, Victorio, Na-hah, and Geronimo. "Buffalo Soldiers" was the name given to the black troops by the Plains Indians because of the resemblance of the black man's hair to that of the buffalo's mane and also the ferocity with which they fought, much like the buffalo (bison) when cornered or wounded. When not engaged in combat on the frontier, both regiments built forts, roads, installed telegraph wires, escorted wagons trains and stage coaches, subdued rustlers, outlaws, and comancheros.

History of Fort Verde State Historic Park
Opened & Dedicated October 10, 1970

The site that is now Fort Verde State Historic Park was occupied by U.S. Army troops in the summer of 1870. Construction of the Fort began in 1871 and was completed by 1873. The Fort was an active primary military base during the Central Arizona Indian Wars and was abandoned in April 1891 and sold in small parcels at auction.

The current 11.25-acre Fort Verde State Historic Park contains four historic buildings, two ruins, three support structures, and a portion of the old parade ground, and is significant as the best surviving assemblage of Indian Wars era military architecture in the State, and is important as a unique site for interpreting a cultural conflict crucial to the development of Arizona.


For more information visit the Fort Verde State Historic Park website.

Educational and living history programs bring early American West history to life at Tubac Presidio SHP

For early Western America history buffs, a visit to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park will offer a look into the early days of what was then called New Spain, when Jesuit Father Francisco Kino established the Tumacacori mission in 1691. The area included what was then a small Pima village but soon became a farm and ranch to support the mission. 

Luis of Saric, a Pima chief stirred by many grievances against the Spanish, led a bloody revolt late in 1751, destroying the small settlement. Following a major battle, and subsequent surrender of the Pimans, the Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac was founded in June of 1752.  

Spanish colonists began moving in in the 1730s to farm and raise cattle, sheep, and goats on this northern frontier of Spain's new World. It was from Tubac that Juan Bautista de Anza led a group of several hundred colonists on an expedition overland to the Pacific which resulted in the founding of San Francisco in 1776.

You can learn more about Tubac, Tumacacori, and early California history through the various programs offered at the park. These include:

January 12, 18, & 20: Tubac Presidio SHP
Frontier Printing Press Demonstration
Jan. 12: 11 am - 3 pm; Jan. 18: 9 am - 1 pm; Jan. 20: 11 am - 3 pm. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, type setting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

January 17: Tubac Presidio SHP
Rock Art of the Southwest
2 pm. Learn the difference between a pictograph and petroglyph with rock art enthusiast Sharon Urban. Urban worked for the Arizona State Museum, retiring after 32 years as the Public Archaeologist. An expert on prehistoric shell artifacts and the study of pictographs and petroglyphs, she has interpreted rock art sites and given presentations to schools and groups around Arizona. $7.50 adult, $4.50 youth 7-13, children free.

January 18: Living History: Tubac Presidio SHP
Foods of the Spanish Colonial Period
12:30 - 3:30 pm. Volunteers dressed in period clothing reenact the daily lives of Spanish soldiers and civilians who lived in Tubac during the Spanish Colonial period (1752-1776). Featuring a special display of the bounty of foods from the Old World, New World and surrounding desert used by Tubac cooks, plus cooking demos with samples. $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

January 23 - Tubac Presidio SHP
Guided Tour of the Barrio de Tubac Archaeological Site
10:30 am. Special tour by local experts of the Spanish colonial archaeological site just south of the Park which preserves the remains of the original Tubac town site, including residence foundations, plaza area, refuse area and partial irrigation ditch. Meet at the Park’s Visitor Center. Tour involves a walk of about 1-1/4 miles. Bring walking shoes, sunscreen and hat. $7.50 fee includes admission to tour the Presidio Park. Tour limited to 15; call for reservations, 520-398-2252.

January 25 - Tubac Presidio SHP
Walking Tours of Old Town Tubac
10:30am-12 noon. Guided tours of the “Old Town” section of Tubac with Alice Keene. Explore the original adobe buildings and discover the rich heritage of Arizona’s first European settlement. Learn about early Native American inhabitants, Spanish explorers, mining booms, Apache attacks, kidnappings, duels and other episodes in Tubac’s colorful past. Meet at the Park’s Visitor Center. Allow 1-1/2 hours for the tour and bring walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat. $7.50 fee includes admission to tour the Presidio Park. Tour limited to 20 people; reservations encouraged.

January 25 - Tubac Presidio SHP
Living History: Medicine of the Spanish Colonial Period
noon - 3 pm. When the Spanish soldiers and their families settled Tubac in 1752, there was no doctor or surgeon among them. It was the responsibility of the women to treat their family's physical complaints and wounds. Medicine was basic and dependent on herbs and plants known for their healing properties. This living history program features a display of medicinal herbs and plants, and knowledgeable commentary by an herbalist who will tell visitors how these plants were used by “curanderas” (healers) to treat illness and injuries. $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.

January 25 - Tubac Presidio SHP
Fiber Arts Friday
10:30 am - 3 pm. When the Spanish soldiers and their families settled Tubac in 1752, there was no doctor or surgeon among them. It was the responsibility of the women to treat their family's physical complaints and wounds. Medicine was basic and dependent on herbs and plants known for their healing properties. This living history program features a display of medicinal herbs and plants, and knowledgeable commentary by an herbalist who will tell visitors how these plants were used by “curanderas” (healers) to treat illness and injuries. $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free.