Remember
Do you remember the first time you did something that you do all the time now? Or the first time you tried something new? The first time you went on a hike through the mountains, enjoying the breeze and the smell of pine trees, or the first time you took a boat ride out on the lake and felt the water splashing your face and the adrenaline from the speed? Arizona State Parks and Trails is all about connecting people with the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories - memories you replay again and again. Memories you help other people to make - whether it's your kids, grandkids, or friends. No matter your age, Arizona's beautiful spaces and well-curated museums are there to help you create new memories and relive the experiences you never forget.
Childhood Memories
If you grew up in an outdoorsy family, you may not remember the first time you went on a hike, or had a picnic, or camped, but you probably remember the experiences and how they made you feel. The feeling of sleeping outdoors and staring up at the vast night sky, picking out constellations or under a full moon can be replicated when you camp in an Arizona state park - or you can learn more about the night sky by attending a Star Party.
Try sharing your experiences with friends or family, and gain the memory of watching the wonder on their faces as they experience things for the first time. Take your kids outside for their first camping experience, or try the Arizona Family Campout, where we provide all the equipment and activities so you can relax and learn something new.
The joy of the outdoors is that you can always recapture the feeling by visiting again, by taking another hike, or getting out in your kayak. You can always build lifetime memories, at any age and any stage of life. Maybe your first time will be tomorrow, or next week.
Lessons Learned
Memories can also help improve our skills and make our experiences more enjoyable outdoors. Remember your first sunburn (or the first sunburn you could prevent yourself)? It certainly helps you remember sun protection next time! Remember learning about fire safety and how to completely douse your fire, stir it, and douse again? All those tips and tricks Smoky Bear taught you are great examples of your memory keeping you and the parks around you safe. Remembering the wildlife
