Statewide Calendar

37 Scheduled Events

Sundays   10:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Geology Tour and Presentation

Jerome State Historic Park

Learn how powerful geological forces shaped the Verde Valley and laid the foundation for Jerome's rugged landscape and rich mining history. Perfect for history lovers, rock hounds and curious minds of all ages!

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June-July 2026  

Creative Birdhouse and Birdfeeder Challenge

Lost Dutchman State Park
A house finch with brown feathers on its back and pink feathers on its belly perches on a red bird feeder and eats seeds.

Create and donate a birdhouse or bird feeder to Lost Dutchman State Park. Your creations will benefit the amazing birds that call our park home, and add whimsy for everyone to enjoy!

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Wednesdays   9-11 a.m. (Wed.)

Apple Packing Shed Open House

Slide Rock State Park
A photo of a barn with displays, antique equipment, and an interactive board that reads "Let's label the apple."

Experience a piece of Arizona history. Get an opportunity to explore the Pendley Homestead Apple Packing Shed. A ranger will be available to answer any questions about the homestead history. Come and see the Bean Cutler 1933 Sorter and Bean Cutler Polisher added in 1946.

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Daily   8:30 a.m. (9 a.m. Sept.)

Daily Guided Nature Hikes at Red Rock

Red Rock State Park
A photo of the red rocks with text overlay that reads "Naturalist Guided Hikes daily."

Every morning a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk include geology, wildlife, history, archaeology, and plant life.

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Mondays   9:15 a.m.

Nature Walks at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
natural bridge trail

Walk with a park ranger along our paved walking path as the park comes alive around you, where rustling trees and blooming wildflowers frame glimpses of the parks remarkable wildlife.

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July 28 | Aug. 28 | Sept. 26, 2026   Time varies

Moonlight Hikes at Red Rock

Red Rock State Park
A group of hikers taking photos of the moon rising from behind a red rock escarpment in the distance.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to take in the sunset and moonrise from an overlook at Red Rock State Park! Learn about Sedona and the surrounding area with a knowledgeable guide. Registration is required.

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Tuesdays   11 a.m.

Tours of Goodfellow Lodge at Tonto Natural Bridge

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Goodfellow Lodge

Join us for a ranger or volunteer led walk through the Goodfellow Lodge, with a history of the property, the Lodge, and the people that called Tonto Natural Bridge home. Reservations are required!

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Tuesday, July 28, 2026   5:30-6:30 p.m.

Evening Lecture: Northern Arizona Deltiology: History in Postcards

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
black and white post with Scenes of Flagstaff Arizona

Learn about postcard history and what makes collecting postcards interesting.

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Tuesday, July 28, 2026   6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Sonoran Sunset Stroll

Catalina State Park
Field of grasses and wildflowers, Santa Catalina Mountains in the background, cloudy skies

Enjoy stunning mountain views and majestic saguaros on a leisurely sunset stroll. In this volunteer-led experience, learn about how the desert provides wildlife with shelter and vital sustenance. July 14 stroll is canceled.

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Wednesdays and Saturdays   7 a.m.

Guided Bird Walks at Red Rock

Red Rock State Park
Hummingbird with Yellowish-green body and red head

Join us at Red Rock State Park for guided bird walks! Learn about Sedona's diverse and beautiful bird species while taking a stroll through this gorgeous park with a veteran bird enthusiast.

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First, Third and Fifth Fridays of the Month (Friday, July 17 CANCELED)   Varies by Date

Catalina Nights

Catalina State Park
The night sky glows over the Catalina Mountains

Experience Catalina State Park’s desert wildlife and dark skies with a one-mile, guided hike on the Nature Trail. Registration required.

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Fridays in July and August   10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Historical Walking Tours

Jerome State Historic Park

Join volunteer Hal Hatfield on a historical walking tour of Jerome State Historic Park: July 17, 24 and 31 and August 7, 21 and 28

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August 1, 2026   6 p.m.

Music in the Mountains Concert Series: Klezmerkaba

Catalina State Park

Enjoy traditional Eastern European klezmer music with a view of the mountains!

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Saturday, August 1   7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Photographing Plants & Critters at Oracle State Park

Oracle State Park
LIzard on a rock

Join us for a hands-on photography experience at Oracle State Park, perfect for hikers and aspiring photographers!

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Saturdays, July 4 - September 26   7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Monsoon Magic

Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park staff hold a snake so that a park visitor in a blue baseball cap can touch it. Eight other visitors look on.

Did you know Arizona actually has five seasons? Monsoon Magic is an interactive nature exhibit where you’ll learn about the wildlife and meteorology of the southwest’s rainy season.

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First Sunday May-September   10 a.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Nature Walk at Rockin' River Ranch

Rockin' River Ranch State Park

Join us on the first Sunday of every month for a guided nature walk.

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Saturday, August 8 and 29, 2026   7-9 a.m.

Birding Meetup at Ranch House Patio

Oracle State Park
northern cardinal next to a tree branch

Birding Meet-Up at Ranch House Patio at Oracle State Park. Stop by the patio at the historic Kannally Ranch House and talk to one of our knowledgeable volunteers, then enjoy the dozens of bird species that frequent the park and patio.

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2nd Saturday of the Month, April - November   7 p.m. (April-Aug.) | 6 p.m. (Sept.-Nov.)

Star Party and Guest Speaker at Homolovi State Park

Homolovi State Park
The Winslow Homolovi Observatory

Come out to Homolovi's Visitor Center Museum and Observatory for a night under the stars. Enjoy astronomy presentations featuring special guests with telescope viewing to follow. Bring your sense of wonder to the only Arizona state park with a permanent observatory!

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Monthly (April - September)   Varies by Date

Bat Walk

Kartchner Caverns State Park
Event Featured Image

Kartchner Caverns invites you to join us for a nighttime walk in the park to learn about bats! Guests will see and hear bats interacting within their natural environment while learning about the diversity of these awesome flying mammals. Registration required.

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August 9, 2026   9-10:30 a.m.

Riordan Mansion Special Tour: Historic Milton Walking Tour

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
A sepia-toned historic photo of a road running through Milton townsite.

A 90-minute guided walk from Riordan Mansion to explore the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company property and the town site of Milton.

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Saturdays, July 18 | August 15 | Sept 19   10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Living History Day at Fort Verde

Fort Verde State Historic Park
Four children dressed in period clothes in front of the fort

Join the Fort Verde Interpretive Association and take a step back in time and see what life was like as  soldier here at the Fort.

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August 22   Time varies

Thank the Stars Above at Picacho Peak

Picacho Peak State Park

Come down to Picacho Peak State Park and take a look at the beautiful stars above. In this program, you will learn about some of the constellations in our night skies.

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Saturday, August 22, 2026   8 a.m.

Geocache Plants

Roper Lake State Park

Join us for a lesson on the type of plants native to Roper Lake State Park.

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Saturday, August 22, 2026   11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Jordan Family: The Women, the Land, and the Verde Valley

Jerome State Historic Park
Photo of 7 of the Jordan Women of the Verde Valley

The presentation explores the resilience, perseverance, and sense of adventure of generations of Jordan women and their experiences as part of Arizona’s early history.

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Thursday, August 27, 2026   7-10 p.m.

Lunar Eclipse Night at Oracle State Park

Oracle State Park
A photo of a lunar eclipse with Lunar Eclipse Night August 27, 2026

Experience one of the year's most impressive celestial events at Oracle State Park as the moon passes through Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse!

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Saturday, August 29, 2026   11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Before Jerome: Early People of the Verde Valley

Jerome State Historic Park
A stone wall of an archaeological pueblo site underneath a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

A fast-paced, sometimes humorous overview of the history of people in the Middle Verde Valley, from the earliest Paleoindians until the town of Jerome was incorporated in 1899.

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First Saturdays of the Month (September-May)   8 a.m. - noon

Buffel Slayers

Catalina State Park
A group of volunteers with shovels and pick axes working in a natural area surrounded by grass and cactuses.

Help eradicate buffelgrass from the park and Save Our Saguaros! Be prepared to work hard!

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Sept. 12 | Nov. 7, 2026   times vary

Star Party at Cattail Cove

Cattail Cove State Park
Visitors look through telescopes under a starry night sky.

Join us for a star party to explore the night sky at Cattail Cove State Park. Bring your sense of wonder!

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Sunday, September 13, 2026   1-3 p.m.

Tea on the Veranda

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Teacups on a finely set table with linens, china, and flowers in a vase.

Step into 1904 and have tea on the veranda, just as the Riordans did at the beginning of the last century. This event is brought to you by Riordan Action Network and Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society.

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Saturday, September 19, 2026   6:30 p.m.

Bat-ember

Roper Lake State Park

Come out for a night event to witness and learn about the local bats at the park.

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Saturday, September 26, 2026   5-8 p.m.

Taste of the Bridge

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Two women hold wine glasses to the camera; in the background, people sit underneath a white tent set up outside.

Join us for an evening of wine and beer tastings, live music, gourmet food, and a charity auction. This event will raise funds to benefit Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Tickets required.

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Saturday, October 3, 2026   8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fall Fest at Slide Rock

Slide Rock State Park
A tractor with people next to it at a previous Fall Fest

Fall is on its way, and it’s time to celebrate the changing seasons at Slide Rock State Park! Join us for the annual Fall Festival. Colored leaves, red rocks, and cooler temperatures will have the whole family enjoying the transition to autumn!

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Saturday, October 17, 2026   3-4:30 p.m.

Helldorado Days Film Screening: According to Kate

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
A movie poster for a film called "According to Kate" with an image of a woman and two men wearing late 1800s period clothing.

Join us for a captivating film screening during Tombstone's Helldorado Days! We invite you to experience "According to Kate," a poignant short film that sheds light on the life of one of the American West's most misunderstood women, Big Nose Kate. This film is recommended for ages 14 and up and promises to be an unforgettable exploration of history. Registration required.

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Saturday, November 7, 2026   9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Volkswagens in the Canyon at Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park
Apple orchard with mountain in the background

Save the date for Volkswagens in the Canyon

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Saturday, November 7, 2026  

Alamo Lake Star Party

Alamo Lake State Park
The night sky at Alamo Lake State Park

Alamo Lake offers some of the best conditions for stargazing. Join us to view the night sky through professional telescopes.

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Saturday, November 14, 2026   8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Oak Creek Collaborative Cleanup

Slide Rock State Park
Savew the date flyer for Oak Creek

Join us for a collaborative clean up event with many of the organizations who care for Oak Creek and surrounding lands. Keeping Oak Creek clean takes all of us!

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Saturday-Sunday, November 21-22, 2026   9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

An American Civil War Encampment: Special Event

Picacho Peak State Park
A group of soldiers in uniform

Learn about the life of a Civil War soldier! Enjoy food from Calvin's Still Smokin BBQ, a Ranger talk, and weapons demonstration! - CANCELED

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