Arizona Earth Day Celebration
Statewide events, activities, and fun for the whole family!
Do you have the best interest of the earth in mind when making life’s decisions? Are you a sustainable traveler when exploring Arizona’s beautiful outdoor spaces? Chances are you want to make the best decisions for the planet, but may be unsure of where to turn for information about doing your part. That’s exactly why Earth Day is still going strong 55 years after the initial celebration in 1970!
Celebrate Earth Day surrounded by Arizona’s stunning landscapes—when you experience these beautiful places, it’s clear why protecting them matters. Arizona’s state parks are hosting special events and activities to honor our planet, from guided nature walks to hands-on conservation projects. Whether you’re exploring vibrant desert trails, learning about local wildlife, or joining a cleanup effort, there’s no better way to connect with nature and give back. Plan your Earth Day adventure and discover how you can make a difference!
Catalina State Park
Star Party
April 18, 2025
Get a broader understanding of our planet within the context of the universe at this Star Party kicking off a weekend of events at the parks you can use to celebrate Earth Day. Take in the wonders of the cosmos with telescopes provided by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and appreciate the dark sky environment. Dark skies support nocturnal wildlife, human well-being, and many natural processes. Learn more about the case for lowering light pollution in our conversation with amateur astronomer and International Dark-Sky Association member Michael Weasner and join Catalina State Park for this Star Party!
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival
April 24-27, 2025
Appreciate and learn about the area's birds and wildlife during this popular annual festival! The 2025 festival theme is “Birds in Art” and the featured bird is the Anna's hummingbird. Workshop and presentations include Verde River ecology, birding basics, botanical walks, geology of the Verde Valley, nature photography, and much more!
Don't forget to check out the spacious campgrounds or rustic cabins before your trip.
Red Rock State Park
Earth Day Celebration
April 19, 2025
Red Rock’s annual Earth Day celebration amid Sedona’s famed red rock escarpments is always a hit! Join us at the park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. This event features hikes, games, kids' crafts, live wildlife presentations, and much more! Learn from our community partners about taking action to protect our planet, and come experience the plants, animals, and beautiful landscapes we're working to protect.
Find out about all of the awesome events offered at this gorgeous park!
Lyman Lake State Park
Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 2025
Come celebrate Earth Day with us at Lyman Lake State Park! During this fun and educational event, families and local schools are invited to join us for arts, crafts, and other activities to teach kids about the importance of keeping the planet clean.
Sunrises and sunsets are magical at this lake park! Book a campsite or a rustic camping cabin here to extend your park visit.
Oracle State Park
Music on the Trails + Star Party
April 19 + April 26
Visit this 4000-acre wildlife refuge and center for environmental education and enjoy an evening of music and celebration of nature on April 19! Listen to an array of live performers playing beautiful melodies as you hike along the 1.2-mile Nature Trail. Finish up a great day with your own sunset picnic dinner and more live music on the historical Kannally Ranch House patio. Bring your own food and drinks (no glass containers, please).
Come back on April 26 for a Star Party at this certified Dark Sky Park for a night of stargazing through high-powered telescopes with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association!
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Star Party
April 26, 2025
Experience daytime solar viewing, starting at 1 p.m., hear from a special guest speaker about the Mars high-resolution imaging experiment, and get an up-close view of celestial objects through telescopes with the Huachuca Astronomy Club.
Experience the wonder of the starry skies at this Dark Sky Park, certified for its protected nocturnal environment.
Homolovi State Park
Star Party
April 19, 2025
See the stars at Homolovi State Park on Saturday, April 19! This event will offer stargazers an opportunity to see deep-sky objects like nebulas, distant stars, and even galaxies through the Winslow Homolovi Observatory's 14" telescope and television monitors. The program is presented in partnership with the Little Colorado River Valley Astronomy Club.
Grab a campsite and stay a while at the peaceful campground. This park is a center of research for the late migration period of the Hopi from the 1200s to the late 1300s. There is much to learn and appreciate at this northern Arizona destination.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Clean Up Event
April 27, 2025
Join Local First Arizona, Odysea Aquarium, and Arizona State Parks and Trails for a Keep Arizona Beautiful litter cleanup at Lost Dutchman State Park. This event is part of the Keep America Beautiful Greatest American Cleanup.
Sign up with Local First Arizona and enjoy a morning at the park with new friends taking care of this beautiful natural space!
Practice Responsible Recreation
The impact of recreation often leaves a mark and may detract from the overall experience if too many of us turn a blind eye to it. Learn the seven principles you can practice when enjoying the outdoors to ensure future generations are able to enjoy Arizona’s beautiful places. You can even complete a free online course from Leave No Trace which introduces a simple framework of minimum impact practices to apply when spending time outdoors.
Learn About Protecting Sedona
We partnered with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, and the Oak Creek Watershed Council to protect Sedona's priceless natural resources! This joint agency effort will ensure visitors are able to enjoy it for many years to come! Watch the video below to learn more about the Path to Protection.
Partner Spotlight
Natural Restorations is an Arizona organization that works to clean and restore lands to their natural state. Arizona State Parks and Trails is a proud supporter of Natural Restorations and the amazing work of their team! They engage in activities like trash removal, graffiti, hosting cleanups, and helping keep trails clean and open so that the community can enjoy them. Their positive impact on Arizona's natural and historic places has earned public respect, appreciation, and the distinction of our Earth Day Partner Spotlight. Watch the videos below to see what they're all about, and learn about a recent project! Find more on their website and YouTube.
Organize a Cleanup
You can choose to make a difference on your own this year by organizing a cleanup! Your cleanup can be as simple or extravagant as you would like, in fact every little bit helps! Pick up trash on your walks, or organize a cleanup with friends (for later!) to help out your local park. Stop by any Arizona Visitor Information Center to grab a free trails cleanup kit from Keep Nature Wild! Advertise your cleanup on social media to get the attention of like-minded people who would be willing to share their time for the betterment of the earth. You can even opt to volunteer for an organization like Natural Restorations on their projects that restore historic and natural features on your public lands. Every little bit helps, and each of us has the power to make a change in the world.
Final Thoughts
Earth Day is April 22, but you can do your part all year long! Educating yourself and finding out more about public lands and how to protect them is a great step to becoming a steward of the land and making a difference in the world!
