Construction at Roper Lake State Park will be taking place in the following campgrounds. See our camping page for details. 

Please be prepared for construction-related traffic, increased noise levels, and limited access to the campground showers/restrooms during this time. Thank you for your patience as we work to make Roper Lake State Park an even better destination for campers!

Hacienda Campground: February 5 - June 27
Road Closure: East from Hacienda Campground to Island Day use: April 10, 7 am-12 pm
Partial Trail Closure near East Mesa Day Use Area: February 28 - March 29

Connection trails south of West Mesa Day Use closed: March 7 - April 4
Cottonwood Campground: April 22 - June 27
Gila Campground: June 3 - October 24

 

The Roper Lake hot tub is permanently closed.

Activities for kids

Become a Junior Ranger

Junior Ranger program logoIf you're between ages 6–12, you can become a Junior Ranger at Roper Lake State Park! Pledge to do your part to help preserve the beauty of the park for everyone to enjoy!

On this page, you can download a Junior Ranger activity for this park that you can complete on your own. It's just one of the fun activities you can do to become a Junior Ranger. After you complete it, bring it with you to the park and you're on your way to becoming a Junior Ranger.

When you visit the park ask for a full Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center, Ranger Station or office. Complete the activities during your visit and then bring it to a Park Ranger for review. When a Park Ranger approves your work you'll be asked to take the Junior Ranger Pledge and get sworn in as our newest Junior Ranger. You'll also be given a Junior Ranger Button. We hope to see you at the park!

Boating Safety Coloring Book

Free "I Love To Go Boating!" Coloring Book: Kids will have a blast coloring in these fun pictures that highlight important boating safety concepts! Written by Mia LaBarbara, Arizona State Parks Interpretive Education Planner, with illustrations by Jennifer Wood. Produced in cooperation with Arizona Game & Fish

Download 16-Page Coloring Book
Suggested ages for this activity: Pre-Kindergarten – 5th Grade

Activity Sheet Summary

Rocky Ringtail's Wordsearch: Just like the animals that are well-hidden in their habitat, animals are also hiding in Rocky’s word search puzzle. Find the animals listed below. Circle them as you find them and check them off the list. After you’ve found as many as you can, count them up and find out how you scored!

Download 1-Page Activity Sheet 

Pledge & Button

Junior Ranger Button for Roper Lake State Park, featuring Rocky RingtailJunior Ranger Button

Junior Ranger Pledge: “As an Arizona State Parks Junior Ranger, I pledge to help the park rangers protect and preserve habitat, wildlife, and help keep the park clean and safe for visitors and wildlife.”

Remember, you can become a Junior Ranger at nearly all Arizona State Parks. So explore our website and visit the FOR KIDS page for each park for more activities.

Junior Ranger Button: Show everyone that you're a Junior Ranger! After you complete your activities and take the Junior Ranger Pledge you'll receive a Junior Ranger Button. You can pin it to your pack, put it on a bulletin board, or proudly wear it. Check out the button for this park in the picture.

Fishing

Show a kid a great time fishing, and you will have a fishing buddy for life!  Roper Lake has various fishing opportunities available for children (and parents) that would like to try their hand at the local bass, trout, catfish, or bluegill populations. See this informative resource before your trip to ensure success at this beautiful southern Arizona fishing destination. 

 

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