Experience unique adventures at Arizona State Parks! Click on a month above or read our complete listing below to learn about upcoming events and activities. To learn more about a park, including downloading park maps and getting step by step driving directions, follow the link to the park's web pages. Note that the “
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7 pm at Sundown at River Island’s Amphitheater. Come to the amphitheater at River Island where Ranger Wayne will show you a beautiful program on Western deserts.
7 pm with Murray Bolesta. From the ground and air, beautiful images of an important water source shared by Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Famous guest presenter Bob Wright will do his program as the working cowboy. Come and visit him and have a cup of cowboy coffee as he tells you his stories. Remember to bring a chair to sit by the fire.
10 am in the Community Room A&B at the Mohave County Public Library: 1770 N. McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City. Ranger Kate presents a scenic look at the stunning changes the desert goes through in the course of the year.
2 pm at the Interpretive Center. Come join Liz Enriquez, Interpretive Education Coordinator, for a talk about all you need to know on the things that bite and sting and those that don’t, but we think they do.
8 am at the Amphitheater. Enjoy a cup of coffee with a ranger around a warm fire and find out more about Arizona State Parks. Rangers can let you know about the parks, their local areas and fascinating points of interests along the way. Wildlife that you may see at the parks and tips on how to best enjoy your stay as well as answer any questions you may have. Weather permitting.
7 pm with Steven Haas. Animals of myths and legends, bats pollinate many plants we like to eat and eat many insects that irritate us.
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Learn about the river’s unique and diverse history with Jim McReynolds as he talks about the history of the Colorado River.
10 am at the Ranger Station. Join your guide for a moderately challenging 2½ mile trek into the beautiful backcountry on the Buckskin Trail. Hike lasts about 2 hours and departs from the Buckskin Ranger Station.
9 am with Greg Scott, retired teacher, Nogales. History of the Patagonia Lake area with a little nature thrown in. Three miles, three hours; start in Rio Rico. Registration required.
4:45 pm. Walk up the Overlook Trail during sunset and moonrise with a guide. Moderate difficulty, incredible view! Registration required.
7 pm at the group campfire ring. Gather round a roaring fire and roast a marshmallow or two. We will ignite the blaze and you’re welcome to add your musical talent and storytelling to the mix. Bring your chair and flashlight to the campfire ring.
Outlaws, Lawmen, Cowboys, Saloon Gals, Townsfolk and a cornucopia of disreputable characters converge on the 11th Annual Gathering of the Gunfighters. Relive the legend of the west when old west reenactment groups from California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona ride into Yuma Prison for two days of wild west fun and mayhem. When the gunsmoke clears, only one gang will be left standing as the best of the west. A two day skit competition event at the Yuma Territorial Prison, the only place tough enough to handle these wild and wooly gunfighters, outlaws and varmints.
$5 for adults aged 14 and up and $1 for children ages 7-13. Vittles, libations, and western vendors will be available for your edification and perusal! Download Event Flier (
708 KB PDF)
10 am with ranger Cyn-d Turner and her eco-friendly pack llamas. Reservation required. Call 896-2425 for more details. Free with park entrance fee of $6 per vehicle; annual passes available. Next Llama Hike, Sunday, March 8 at 9 am.
2 pm. Reservations may be required. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Call (928) 282-6907.
12:15 pm. Shannon Benjamin, Director of Visitor Services, Museum of Northern Arizona, will discuss Ravens and Crows, two members of the Corvid family. These enterprising creatures have long been known as tricksters in American Indian stories. Brown Bag Lunch Lecture. (928) 779-4395
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Come and see how owls’ unique features and characteristics have led them to become birds of myth and legend. Beneficial to those who would like to learn more about owls and their wonderful and interesting past.
7 pm. Ride the rails back in time down Sonoita Creek (under Patagonia Lake!) with Jack Walsh.
2 pm at the Interpretive Center. Arizona State Parks Volunteer Linda Rohn will give a wonderful presentation on the cacti that grace this beautiful state. She will also talk about the iconic Saguaro and its bloom, which is our state flower.
7 pm. Join Ron Hummel, one of the founders of the Friends of Sonoita Creek and local nature enthusiast, for an overview of the life in and around the creek.
10 am. Meet at the main launch ramp near the restrooms. Come learn or refresh on the fundamentals of kayaking and take a trip to the bridge with AZ State Parks Volunteer Gene Rohn. Limit 10. Must be 18 and over. No experience necessary. Call (928) 855-2784 to sign up.
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Come join us in a workshop for beginners and anyone interested in learning identification techniques.
7 pm at the group campfire ring. Gather round a roaring fire and roast a marshmallow or two. We will ignite the blaze and you’re welcome to add your musical talent and storytelling to the mix. Bring your chair and flashlight to the campfire ring.
12 pre-registered students. Walk through the Cactus Gardens with cameras and learn tips and tricks. Class enrollment is $15 for Arboretum members and $22.50 for non-members. Phone (520) 689-2723 to register. Another Workshop is scheduled for January 31, see below.
7 am – 4 pm each day. A 16 hour course continuing Sunday, January. Sponsored by Arizona State Parks and the Arizona Trail Association. The course is a mixture of classroom and hands-on practical training. Call the park for more information, 896-2425. Register no later than Friday, January 9.
The area is a varied environment with a rich history of settlement and international events. Three miles, three hours, bring water, snack and wear sturdy shoes. (520) 287-2791
9 am from Patagonia Lake. Please register.
7 pm. Settlers came to seek their fortune and left behind stories of hard times and adventures. Judy King presents a glimpse into the history of the hills around Patagonia.
January 20 - Lake Havasu State Park 7 pm at the Amphitheater. Celebrated guest presenter Bob Wright will do his program as the Arizona mountain man Bill Williams.
Come and visit him and have a cup of mountain man coffee as he tells you his stories. Remember to bring a chair to the campfire ring.
2 pm in the Community Room A&B at the Mohave County Public Library: 1770 N. McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City. Arizona State Parks Volunteer Linda Rohn will give a wonderful presentation on the cacti that grace this beautiful state. She will also talk about the iconic Saguaro and its bloom, which is our state flower.
2 pm at the Interpretive Center. Discover various ways to attract and feed hummers in Arizona and almost anywhere in the US.
8 am at the Amphitheater. Enjoy a cup of coffee with a ranger around a warm fire and find out more about Arizona State Parks. Rangers can let you know about the parks, their local areas and fascinating points of interests along the way. Wildlife that you may see at the parks and tips on how to best enjoy your stay as well as answer any questions you may have. Weather permitting.
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Discover various ways to attract and feed hummers in Arizona and almost anywhere in the US.
7 pm. Christine Haas will give an overview of the history and role of the ranch in conservation research in nearby Elgin, AZ.
8 am. A guide will lead you through desert uplands into the Sonoita Creek riparian habitat from the Patagonia Lake Visitor Center. Registration required, limited to 12.
10 am at the Ranger Station. Join your guide for a moderately challenging 2½ mile trek into the beautiful backcountry on the Buckskin Trail. Hike lasts about 2 hours and departs from the Buckskin Ranger Station.
1 – 4 pm at the Kannally Ranch House. Reservation required, call 896-2425. Learn to weave a basket using beargrass and other natural plant fibers. The class is repeated Monday, January 26; Saturday, January 31; Sunday, February 1 and Monday, February 2. Materials fee TBA.
7 pm at the group campfire ring. Gather round a roaring fire and roast a marshmallow or two. We will ignite the blaze and you’re welcome to add your musical talent and storytelling to the mix. Bring your chair and flashlight to the campfire ring.
50 boats try to catch bass, weigh-in at 3:00 pm. More info at www.nationalbasswest.com or (928) 855-2784.
8 am – 5 pm. 8-hour state and federally approved safe boating class. Class materials and books are included. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Certificate and ID card. Families are encouraged to attend. What class covers: basic boat types, legal requirements (registration & equipment), navigation rules, trailering and boat operation, how to avoid accidents and what to do in an Emergency. Contact: Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks. (928) 855-7961. Cost is $5 per family. Download Information Sheet ( 193 KB PDF)
7 pm. Stewart Aitchison, Author, will discuss how in 1879, 230 settlers in southwestern Utah heeded the call from the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to pull up stakes and move to the distant San Juan River country of southeastern Utah. He has been exploring, photographing, teaching and writing about the natural world for forty years. Evening Slide Presentation. RSVP Free! (928) 779-4395
11 am to 3 pm. Can’t you just smell the fragrant eucalyptus trees? Hear the haunting sound of a didgeridoo? Australia is closer than you think — learn about The Land Down Under on a tour through the majestic forest of eucalyptus and red gum trees; enjoy Outback entertainment. (520) 689-2811
3 pm with ranger naturalist, Jerry Orr. Meet at the ranch house. Free with park entrance fee. No reservation needed. Walk will last 1–2 hours. Bring water, sunhat and binoculars if you have a pair.
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Join us for a presentation on the night sky, look through the telescope and learn about constellations.
7 pm. These entertaining and busy beasts are relatives of racoons and live along Sonoita Creek. Christine Haas will explain their behavior and habitat needs.
2 pm at the Interpretive Center. Come chat with Ranger Tim Jones. Tim has spent many years fishing the Colorado River and has many fish stories to tell. He would also like to hear yours.
9 am to Noon at the Kannally Ranch House. Learn more about the Volunteer Program and Cultural Heritage of Oracle State Park, Center for Environmental Education. Call for more information, 896-2425.
10 am. Meet at the main launch ramp near the restrooms. Come learn or refresh on the fundamentals of kayaking and take a trip to the Bridge with AZ State Parks Volunteer, Gene Rohn. Limit 10. Must be 18 and over. No experience necessary. Call 928-855-2784 to sign up.
7 pm. Get your questions answered and find out the rest of the story. Rob Van Zandt, Arizona State Parks, will speak to the specifics.
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Join us for a presentation on the night sky, look through the telescope and learn about constellations.
10 am to 1 pm. 12 pre-registered students. Walk through the Cactus Gardens with cameras and learn tips and tricks. Class enrollment is $15 for Arboretum members and $22.50 for non-members. Phone (520) 689-2723 to register.
50 boats try to catch bass, weigh-in at 3 pm. For more info email hutch(at)wonews.com or call (928) 855-2784.
7 pm at the group campfire ring. Gather round a roaring fire and roast a marshmallow or two. We will ignite the blaze and you’re welcome to add your musical talent and storytelling to the mix. Bring your chair and flashlight to the campfire ring.
2 pm. Richard and Sherry Mangum will present on the National Old Trails Road, est. in 1912, and was the first coast-to-coast highway, running across more than a dozen states. The presenters enliven this fascinating story using scores of old photos and maps, reliving the time when driving was an adventure. Reservations recommended, seating limited. In the park theater. (928) 282-6907
50 boats try to catch bass, weigh-in at 3:00 pm. More info at www.nationalbasswest.com or (928) 855-2784.
12:15 pm. Genevieve Johnson will discuss how Arizona State Parks began applying geographic information systems technology (GIS) to the issue of open space conservation in a rapidly urbanizing environment. Brown Bag Lunch Lecture. (928) 779-4395
2 pm. Reservations may be required. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Call (928) 282-6907.
Invite your sweetie to the annual Valentines Day-themed floral exhibit and chocolate tasting event. Be amazed at the hundreds of meanings of different flowers and arrangements! Flower exhibit is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm; chocolates are sold from 10 am to 3 pm. (520) 689-2811
Celebration of Historic Yuma at Yuma Prison, Yuma Quartermaster Depot, Sanguinetti House Museum, Yuma Library & historic main street. (928) 783-4771
The town of Florence will open fourteen homes and buildings for a self-guided tour. These structures range from the 1870s through the 1930s, and include the 1878 Territorial Courthouse (McFarland State Historic Park). The park will feature re-enactors and displays from the 1860s to 1912. (520) 868-5216
The buffalo soldiers will be at Fort Verde to celebrate Black History Month, in conjunction with the Town’s Pecan and Wine Festival. They will present riding demonstrations as well as Living History Presentations. (928) 567-3275
8:30 am to 11:30 am. $25 for members, $32.50 for non-members. Eagar resident Maggie Leef will share her lifetime of outdoor photography experience. Phone (520) 689-2723 to register.
8:30 am to 11:30 am. $25 for members, $32.50 for non-members. Eagar resident Maggie Leef will share her lifetime of outdoor photography experience. Workshop for beginning and intermediate photographers. Topics include camera features and practical ideas in the field. Phone (520) 689-2723 to register.
1 pm to 4 pm. $25 for members, $32.50 for non-members. Eagar resident Maggie Leef will share her lifetime of outdoor photography experience. Workshop for beginning and intermediate photographers. Phone (520) 689-2723 to register.
50 boats try to catch bass, weigh-in at 3 pm. More info at www.usanglerschoice.net or (928) 855-2784.
10 am. Discover all the hidden treasures to be found at Cattail Cove State Park. Come for the beauty and the exercise. Be sure to bring your handheld GPS unit with you. (928) 855-1223
11 am to 3 pm. Showcases desert plants and ecosystems from all around the world. This event is a chance to experience a taste of the food, crafts and cultures from faraway continents as you walk the 1½ mile long main trail and explore the Sonoran, Australian, South African and Mediterranean gardens and collections. (520) 689-2811
7 pm. Todd Bostwick, Ph.D., Archaeologist, City of Phoenix will discuss the archaeological excavations undertaken over the last 20 years at Sky Harbor International Airport. He will also sign copies of his book. Evening Slide Presentation. RSVP Free! (928) 779-4395
8 am – 5 pm. 8-hour state and federally approved safe boating class. Class materials and books are included. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Certificate and ID card. Families are encouraged to attend. What class covers: basic boat types, legal requirements (registration & equipment), navigation rules, trailering and boat operation, how to avoid accidents and what to do in an Emergency. Contact: Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks. (928) 855-7961. Cost is $5 per family. Download Information Sheet ( 193 KB PDF)
For the entire month of March 2009, the ASP State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is coordinating activities throughout the state for the 26th anniversary celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. These events will focus on current efforts to preserve our past by protecting our fragile and non-renewable cultural resources. Museums, historical societies, tribes, agencies, parks, and archaeology organizations will be hosting events across the state; many of the events are planned in Arizona State Parks as part of their interpretive programs. Check back here for details.
2 pm. Join Bryan Bates, Archaeoastronomer, as he shares his research into the astronomical world of the ancestral Puebloan peoples from Chaco Canyon National Historic Park, Wupatki National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park. Here in the Southwest the ancestral Puebloan peoples created an intricate astronomy, which allowed them to plan for planting, hunting, the change of seasons and their religious ceremonies. This program is sponsored by the Benefactors of Red Rock SP. Reservations recommended, seating limited, in the park theater. (928) 282-6907
Learn about some of the early survival methods used by the Sinagua Indians over 1000 years ago. Join Roy Julian in weaving sandals made from yucca fiber at 11 am. Observe four prehistoric fire starting methods demonstrated by Al Cornell at 12:30 pm. Then at 1:30 pm learn about the atlatl and dart, an earlier form of the bow and arrow and participate in throwing this instrument with Bob Sizemore. Reservations Recommended. (928) 282-6907
7 pm. Neil Weintraub, Archaeologist, Kaibab National Forest, will discuss how increased fuels reduction projects in northern Arizona has added challenges for archaeologists to protect the thousands of fragile historic sites in the National Forests surrounding Flagstaff. Evening Slide Presentation. RSVP Free! (928) 779-4395
9 am with ranger Cyn-d Turner and her eco-friendly pack llamas. Reservation required. Call 896-2425 for more details. Free with park entrance fee of $6 per vehicle; annual passes available.
2 pm. Reservations may be required. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Call (928) 282-6907.
12:15 pm. Adrienne Rose, Volunteer & Textile Historian, Riordan Mansion SHP, will discuss styles of women’s clothing popular from the late 1880s through the 1960s. This program is a slide presentation featuring garments worn by three generations of Riordan women. Brown Bag Lunch Lecture. (928) 779-4395
The Expo provides a special opportunity for visitors to learn more about why it’s important to preserve archaeological sites and historic places; what archaeologists, historians, and tribal members do in their jobs; and about the prehistory and history of Arizona. Both days will feature workshops, craft demonstrations, displays and booths, living history re-enactors, storytellers, Native American demonstrators and entertainers, hands-on activities, free raffles and local ethnic food. FREE. (602) 542-4009
10 am to 4 pm. Event will be a re-enactment of three different Civil War battles, which were in Arizona and New Mexico. Since many people only know of the battles that were fought in the eastern states, this desert battle becomes another exciting history lesson. $8 per vehicle Saturday and Sunday. Civil War memorabilia & food booths. Vendors must apply. (520) 466-3183. See photos from the 2008 Event. See also Historical Re-Enactor Information for this event.
8 am to 5 pm. Stock up during this annual fundraiser which helps support education and conservation at BTA: Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Special guests and programs are offered on weekends; daily throughout the sale staff horticulturists and groundskeepers are available to answer your plant questions and offer landscaping advice. (520) 689-2811
2 pm. Jerry Ehrhardt, 2007 award winner of the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission’s Award, will present what started out as a proposal to scout and record several prehistoric ruin hilltop sites that had been spotted by an airplane doing an aerial survey of Sycamore Canyon, has turned into a major discovery of 125 previously unknown prehistoric Honaki Phase sites. Reservations recommended, seating limited, in the park theater. (928) 282-6907
50 boats try to catch bass, weigh-in at 3 pm. More info at (928) 855-2784.
A seasonal salute to the migrant flock of Turkey Vultures, as the huge black birds fly north after their winter in Mexico. Celebrate ornithology and learn about these misunderstood scavengers – birds which play an integral role in our Sonoran desert ecosystem. BTA opens one hour early, so arrive between 7 – 8:30 am to observe resident vultures, or join an 8:30 am bird walk guided by volunteers and staff. Exhibitors from 8 am to 2 pm. (520) 689-2811
2 pm. Join Bob Dick and Brenda Robinson, volunteer naturalists, for a hike to celebrate Archaeology Month. Learn about the pre-historic Sinagua Indians who inhabited the Sedona/Verde Valley area over 1000 years ago. Learn how they utilized plants found in the area for survival and about traces of what they left behind. Meet in the theater at 2 pm for an orientation. (928) 282-6907
Noon to 5 pm. A number of Mariachi bands perform and there are a variety of food vendors on hand to feed your family. (520) 287-6965
150+ boats try to catch bass, weigh-in on the 25th-27th is at the park, last day weigh-in is at the local Wal-Mart. More info www.stren.flwoutdoors.com or (928) 855-2784.
9 am to noon. “Bio-Dives” is a new program this year for high school-age home school students. As a part of the activity we will conduct insect/wildflower surveys, study relationships between insect/wildflower groups, and give students experience recording data and using tools such as a GPS and digital camera. To enroll call (520) 689-2723.
9:30 am to 11:30 am. Learn to identify common species of butterflies and about the colorful insects’ life cycles on a two-hour walk through the Demonstration and Hummingbird-Butterfly Gardens. (520) 689-2811
7 pm. Discussion of the on-going community driven restoration and cultural & historical preservation activities, which are being promoted by numerous agencies, organizations and local government within Flagstaff. Evening Slide Presentation. RSVP Free! (928) 779-4395
8 am – 5 pm. 8-hour state and federally approved safe boating class. Class materials and books are included. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Certificate and ID card. Families are encouraged to attend. What class covers: basic boat types, legal requirements (registration & equipment), navigation rules, trailering and boat operation, how to avoid accidents and what to do in an Emergency. Contact: Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks. (928) 855-7961. Cost is $5 per family. Download Information Sheet ( 193 KB PDF)
2 - 4 pm on the upper patio of the Kannally Ranch House. Concerts continue once a month through June. Tickets are $10 per adult and benefit Friends of Oracle State Park. A Series Ticket for $35 includes reserved parking at the ranch house and reserved seats at each of the four concerts. Musicians and more details TBA.
Envirothon is a unique natural resource competition for high school students. It encourages students to literally "dig in" and learn about the environment in a fun, interactive way. Envirothon takes a balanced approach to learning and testing in 7 subjects: soil & land use, aquatic ecology, wildlife, forestry, energy, waste management, and the 2009 focus topic is Biodiversity in a Changing World. The competition is unique in that it challenges students to apply their knowledge, critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities to natural resource management scenarios.
The winning Arizona Envirothon team, one coach, and one additional chaperone are awarded an expense-paid trip to represent ARizona at the Canon Envirothon to be held in Asheville, North Carolina August 2-8, 2009. For more information about this event visit azenvirothon.org.
8 am – 5 pm. 8-hour state and federally approved safe boating class. Class materials and books are included. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Certificate and ID card. Families are encouraged to attend. What class covers: basic boat types, legal requirements (registration & equipment), navigation rules, trailering and boat operation, how to avoid accidents and what to do in an Emergency. Contact: Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks. (928) 855-7961. Cost is $5 per family. Download Information Sheet ( 193 KB PDF)
9 qm. Living History with two Re-enactment Battles per day. Open to the public at 9 am. Regular park entrance fees apply. Organized by Moodyʼs Battery and Battery D 5th US. Recommended by the American Civil War Society. Download Event Flier ( 398 KB PDF)
8 am – 5 pm. 8-hour state and federally approved safe boating class. Class materials and books are included. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Certificate and ID card. Families are encouraged to attend. What class covers: basic boat types, legal requirements (registration & equipment), navigation rules, trailering and boat operation, how to avoid accidents and what to do in an Emergency. Contact: Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks. (928) 855-7961. Cost is $5 per family. Download Information Sheet ( 193 KB PDF)
The Arizona Preservation Foundation (APF), Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Arizona Department of Commerce Main Street Program, and the City of Phoenix invite you to join them at the 7th Annual Historic Preservation Partnership Conference. The Goal of the Conference is to bring together preservationists from around the state to exchange ideas and success stories, to share perspectives and solutions to preservation issues and to foster a sense of cooperation between the diverse Arizona preservation community. For more information on the conference visit www.azpreservation.com
8 am – 5 pm. 8-hour state and federally approved safe boating class. Class materials and books are included. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Certificate and ID card. Families are encouraged to attend. What class covers: basic boat types, legal requirements (registration & equipment), navigation rules, trailering and boat operation, how to avoid accidents and what to do in an Emergency. Contact: Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks. (928) 855-7961. Cost is $5 per family. Download Information Sheet ( 193 KB PDF)
Learn more on the Plein Air Home Page. Arizona State Parks and and Arizona Plein Air Painters sponsor live outdoor painting competitions. After the painting period, the artists gather to judge their peers completed work. Artists are welcome to bring their easels, brushes drop cloth canvas and capture scenes around the park. This is a series of “paint outs” planned throughout the year at Arizona State Parks. 2009 Event Dates & Parks have been announced.
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