ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov

Tourism in Your Own Backyard; Arizona State Parks Annual Pass only 13¢ a day for a Family!

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(Phoenix, Arizona - November 25, 2008) - Are you looking for a special holiday gift for an entire family? Do you need a gift that lasts all year long and provides an educational experience but also a day in the sun for a long hike, family picnic, or nature program? The Arizona State Parks Annual Pass is the perfect solution for your entire clan and it is only $50!!

Go to the State Parks website for gift-giving ideas and at the same time show your support for your State Parks system by getting an Annual Pass. There are many things to choose from on the site including; Arizona State Trails guides, nature books, clothing, hats and hiking sticks.

Visit Arizona's historical and cultural parks, or enjoy many recreational places year-round. The Annual Pass is an economical way to travel and explore 27 extraordinary State Parks. The Pass offers day-use privileges, and some restrictions may apply for special events.

The Standard Day-Use Annual Pass (Cost: $50) allows entrance to Arizona State Parks for the
day for up to four adults and children. The pass is good for one year from date of purchase. The Standard Day-Use Entrance Pass is good for the family's non-camping day-use and includes all the Parks except Colorado River Parks on weekends and holidays. A Premium Annual Day-Use Pass is $125 and adds those weekends in parks along the Colorado River. At Kartchner Caverns State Park, the pass is good for the entrance to experience the Discovery Center, picnicking and trails but does not apply toward the two cave tours opportunities. Kartchner Caverns State Park offers gift certificates for cave tours, another idea for Christmas gift giving. Special programs within the parks may have special related fees not covered by this entrance pass, however most of the nature walks and interpretive programs are included in the day-use pass.

Natural gifts are colorful blooming cactus on a mountainside, paddling across Fool Hollow Lake or hiking to the top of Picacho Peak. At Arizona State Parks visitors will find camping, fishing, hiking, interpretive environmental programs, moonlight star gazing walks, horseback riding, historic reenactments and many great sites for family picnicking. Gift recipients can make plans for a guided pontoon boat tours at Sonoita Creek Natural Area and fishing and water skiing tournaments year round at Lake Havasu and Lyman Lake State Parks. In April, Oracle Environmental Education Center, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Red Rock and Catalina celebrate Earth Day with special events and programs for families with children. Dead Horse Ranch State Park provides adventures and learning opportunities during the annual "Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival" and "Verde River Days" events.

In Arizona, as in other states, celebrating our culture means celebrating our history. The State Parks provide wonderful annual events for history buffs to explore Arizona's past. The influence of the U.S. Army on the settling of Arizona is remembered during Fort Verde State Historic Park's and Camp Verde's annual "Fort Verde Days." In March Picacho Peak State Park holds a weekend long "Civil War in the Southwest" reenactment program that brings in visitors from around the states. Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park rustles up family fun in mid-January during the "Gathering of the Gunfighters." In February, Yuma Quartermaster Depot and Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Parks team up with the town of Yuma to celebrate "Yuma Crossing Day." Arizona State Historic Parks offer living history programs, events, exhibits, interpretive programs, and special activities in conjunction with their communities.

Whether you plan to celebrate Arizona's culture and history, or enjoy the changing seasons, giving an Annual Pass to Arizona State Parks is a holiday gift that lasts all year long. You can order passes by mail, purchase at the State Parks main headquarters in Phoenix or at any of the State Parks. The gift catalog items can be purchased through our main office. For more information visit azstateparks.com or call (602) 542-4174 or listen to an audio update at http://azstateparks.com/audio_update.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

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