Running a park or operating a program that connects people to Arizona’s incredible outdoors takes more than staff, funding, and passion — it takes volunteers. Arizona State Parks is fortunate to have a strong and inspiring team of individuals who generously share their time, skills, and heart to support our mission every day.

In the last fiscal year alone, 536 volunteers contributed an astounding 170,455 hours across our parks and programs. According to the Independent Sector’s current dollar valuation, this in-kind donation totals more than $5.7 million — an incredible show of support that helps us protect, maintain, and share Arizona’s natural, cultural, and recreational treasures.

But anyone who works alongside volunteers knows their true value goes far beyond numbers. Volunteers are simply priceless. They come from all walks of life — students, retirees, working professionals, and families — each bringing their own experiences, talents, and passion to our parks. Many of our volunteers have spent decades in a wide variety of professions before deciding to give back by dedicating their expertise to our mission.

Their contributions are as diverse as the parks themselves. Volunteers greet visitors at park entrances, maintain trails, buildings, and equipment, assist with educational programs, support conservation projects, lead guided hikes and bird walks, run gift shops, help with administrative tasks, and even serve as live-in camp hosts at our campgrounds. Their work enriches the visitor experience, protects Arizona’s stunning landscapes, and strengthens the connection between people and nature.

There are simply no words big enough to express our deep gratitude to our volunteers. We celebrated them in April during Volunteer Appreciation Month, but their impact deserves recognition every day of the year.

Want to see the difference our volunteers make? Check out our volunteer photo gallery below, featuring images and stories from across the state. You'll meet some of the faces behind the scenes who help keep Arizona’s parks thriving!

If you’re feeling inspired to join this incredible community, we would love to welcome you! There are opportunities for every interest and schedule, whether you're looking to volunteer a few hours a month, share a special skill, or take on a seasonal camp host role. Learn more about how you can get involved and find all our current opportunities at AZStateParks.com/Volunteer.