Are you looking for outdoor activities to do in Arizona? If so, you’ll find plenty of things to do at the state parks in Arizona. My family and I recently purchased an Arizona State Parks annual pass and we’re putting it to good use. Not only is it a great way to spend time outdoors while socially distancing from others, but it’s also a good way to support our home state. But, you don’t need an annual pass to enjoy the state parks in Arizona. Keep reading for a free Arizona State Parks checklist to see what state parks are near you!
Looking for outdoor activities to do in Arizona? From hiking and biking trails to lakes, here’s a free Arizona State Parks checklist that you can print out to explore Arizona state parks.
Free Arizona State Parks Checklist (Printable)
There are currently 34 state parks in Arizona. They range from hiking trails, lakes and even a historic courthouse. So far, my family and I have been to Catalina State Park, Oracle State Park, Patagonia Lake, Red Rock State Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, and Kartchner Caverns. And that’s just a tiny fraction of the state parks that are located in Arizona. Keeping reading for a free Arizona State Parks checklist that you can print out, but in the meantime…..
Find an Arizona State Park Near You
You’d be surprised to find out that you’re closer to a state park than you think, whether you live in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson, Lake Havasu, Show Low, Parker, Sedona, or Yuma. To find out if there are any state parks near you, click here. I love that some of the state parks are lakes. Which means that boats (including canoes and kayaks) can be rented at some of the marinas.
Patagonia Lake is not only a state park, but it’s not too far away from Tucson.
Hiking Trails at Arizona State Parks
My husband and I decided to buy an annual pass because of the hiking trails. My family and I aren’t expert hikers, but we do enjoy kid friendly hikes, such as the Nature Trail and Canyon Loop at Catalina State Park. We also recently used our annual pass to hike the nature trail at Oracle State Park and we really enjoyed it. So the hiking trails are definitely a highlight for us.
A picture taken while hiking the nature trail at Catalina State Park.
Junior Ranger Programs at Arizona State Parks
Speaking of kid friendly trails, some of the Arizona state parks also have a Junior Ranger Program, which is for kids between ages 6-12. My son has participated in the Junior Ranger Program at Catalina State Park and loved it. If this is something that your children would be interested in, you’ll want to plan ahead and look at the state park’s website to see if it has a Junior Ranger Program.
My son participated in the Junior Ranger Program at Catalina State Park.
Camping, RV Sites and Cabins at Arizona State Parks
While my family and I mostly use the hiking trails at the state parks, campsites and cabins are also available to rent for those who want to stay overnight. Click here for more information.
Consider Purchasing an Arizona State Parks Pass
You can either pay a daily admission fee when you visit an Arizona state park or you can purchase an annual pass. An Arizona State Parks annual pass can be purchased either online or in person.* There are two different types of passes that are available: the standard pass and the premium pass. To compare the two, click here. My family and I purchased the standard pass at Catalina State Park.
*Please note that you can’t purchase an annual pass in person at the following locations: Riordan Mansion, Tubac Presidio, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Colorado River, McFarland, and Yuma Territorial Prison state historic parks.
Free Arizona State Parks Checklist
Whether you live in Arizona or you’re planning a trip to Arizona, there are several state parks that offer plenty of outdoor activities, like hiking, biking, and/or boating. As a result, I made a free Arizona State Parks checklist to help you with your planning. Just click here to download the checklist and print it out. Let me know if you end up visiting the state parks and tag me on social media 🙂 I know that my family and I are looking forward to exploring more state parks in Arizona.
And if you live in Georgia or planning a visit to Georgia, please click here for my friend Amy’s checklist at Mom’s Magical Miles. Amy is the one who inspired me to create a checklist for Arizona, and she has great tips for families who want to visit state and national parks.
There are several things to do in Arizona, including spending a day at an Arizona State Park. You’re probably closer to a state park than you think. I’m sharing a Free Arizona State Parks checklist that you can print out to explore an Arizona State Park near you.