August hits, sometimes making you feel like it’s enough already with the hot summer temps. You miss the days of hitting the trail without waking up before dawn, and you start to think about the cooler days of fall that still seem so far away.

But don’t despair! Arizona has outdoor recreation options year-round – you just have to head north to the higher elevation parks like Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area or Lyman Lake State Park. It’s also a great time to explore Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff, or spend a day in the Sky Islands and the night in the adjacent park.

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is a haven for anyone who loves the outdoors. This park offers a variety of exciting outdoor recreation options, including kayak and boat rentals to explore the water. Although the campgrounds fill quickly, day-use and future camping reservations are highly encouraged for this Northern Arizona adventure.

Nestled in the northern foothills of Arizona’s White Mountains, Lyman Lake State Park offers solitude and a tranquil camping or cabin experience. Explore the petroglyphs and learn about the history of this unique area. With its quiet lake and surrounding natural beauty, Lyman Lake is ideal for those seeking both outdoor recreation and a glimpse into the past.

Plus, notable sky island ranges like the Santa Rita and Whetstone mountains offer great daytime escapes from the summer heat, and are all located near some of Arizona’s beautiful state parks for relaxing overnight camping. These significant Arizona mountain ranges reach elevations of over 10K feet in some cases, so the plant and wildlife communities are vastly different on the mountains compared to the surrounding desert below. Start your day in the Sonoran Desert and within an hour you could be in pine country and much cooler weather!

The Whetstone Mountains provide the above-ground playground for one of Arizona’s most popular and exclusive destinations – Kartchner Caverns State Park. This park not only offers tours of the spectacular caverns, but also has air-conditioned cabins available for overnight stays. Access trails right from the beautiful campgrounds and off-road trails are just a short drive north or south on Arizona State Route 90. Bats, birds, butterflies, and a variety of wildlife species including javelina, Coues whitetail deer, and coatimundi are commonly seen while exploring the Whetstone range. 

State Route 366 south of Safford will lead adventurers high into the Pinaleños and through nearly as many life zones as they would experience during a trip from Sonora to British Columbia! At 10,720 feet, Mount Graham, the range’s highest peak, watches over the Chihuahuan-Sonoran desert below. Roper Lake State Park at the base of the range is the perfect spot to stay in an air-conditioned cabin while resting up from intense Sky Island exploration! Catch some trout or bass in the lake or view the variety of birds and wildlife that live there. Convenient Pinaleño Mountain access via SR 366 is just outside the park, allowing you to experience the wonder of southern Arizona's unique sub-alpine habitat.