Arizona has a wealth of attractions and a wide choice of things to do. For those lucky enough to live in Arizona, there are 27 state parks offering fishing, boating and camping, historical sights and natural phenomena to enjoy. Get out and enjoy these amazing sights, some of which will be local to where you live or are staying. Whatever your interest, there is something to enrich your recreation time, from the Grand Canyon to Slide Rock.
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Address:
527 S. Main St
Camp Verde, AZ 86322 By Phone Visitor Information 928-567-3322 Headquarters 928-567-5276 By Fax 928-567-3597 Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
Imagine the bustling US army life which once filled this area. These depot buildings distributed supplies to the military posts in the surrounding states on river steamers and mule drawn freight wagons during the early 1900s. Military buffs will be fascinated by the military history exhibits on display in these original buildings. Supplies were brought to the Yuma Quartermaster Depot by river steamer up the Colorado River then hauled up the tracks to the storehouses. The Quartermaster Depot was used until the Southern Pacific Railroad reached Yuma in 1877.
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Contact the Park:
(928) 329-0471 Yuma Quartermaster Depot SHP 201 N. 4th Avenue Yuma, AZ 85364 Red Rock State Park, Sedona
Red Rock State Park encapsulates all the natural beauty for which Arizona is so well known. This nature reserve has miles of trails through its 286 beautiful acres with views of many natural rock formations. These dramatic red rock hills are framed with the natural unspoilt vegetation. The Visitor Center organizes many events in the Park including geology walks, moonlit hikes and talks about the Native American Rock Art which is evident in this region.
Contact the Park:
(928) 282-6907 Red Rock SP 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd Sedona, AZ 86336 Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock is one of the most popular State Parks in Arizona and it is a great place to visit on a hot day. Set on a 43 acre site, the park is an interesting historic apple farm complete with the original homestead. However the real draw to the State Park is the natural water chute which transports visitors along an amazing natural water chute ride. There is a deeper area in the river for swimming and visitors can paddle in the creek too.
Contact the Park:
(928) 282-3034 Slide Rock SP 6871 N. Highway 89A Sedona, AZ 86336 Boyce Thompson Botanical Garden
Gardeners will enjoy the beauty and color of Arizona’s oldest Botanical Garden and Arboretum. It was founded in 1920 by Col. William Boyce Thompson to demonstrate the importance of plants. The 323 acres are a pleasure to walk around and they feature not only desert plants and cacti but also mountain cliffs and a forest of towering trees with a stream running through it. Discover the desert lake, a hidden canyon and get plenty of ideas and tips for your own Arizona garden too.
Contact the Park:
(520) 689-2811 Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP 37615 U.S. Hwy 60 Superior, AZ 85273 Tonto Natural Bridge
Nothing is stranger than nature, and the Tonto Natural Bridge is a 183-foot high bridge over a 400-foot long tunnel. This spectacular natural phenomena is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world and took thousands of years to form. Within the tunnel there are several caves which the discoverer, David Gowan, used to hide in from the Apaches. Stand on top of the bridge for some amazing views of the beautiful valley or walk beneath the huge arch and discover its secrets. The bridge is only open on selected dates so check the website before traveling.
Contact the Park:
(928) 476-4202 Tonto Natural Bridge P.O. Box 1245 Payson, AZ 85547 Tombstone Courthouse
Experience a taste of the past at the old frontier silver town of Tombstone. Founded in 1877 by Ed Schieffelin who prospected for silver, friends told him he would only find his own tombstone, hence the rather chilling name of the town. The town boomed for eight years, despite being razed to the ground by a fire and rebuilt. Eventually the mines flooded, but in that short time $37 million silver had been mined. The grand Courthouse remains standing and museum exhibits recapture the lives of miners, cattlemen and pioneers who made their fortunes here.
Contact the Park:
(520) 457-3311 Tombstone Courthouse P.O. Pox 216 Tombstone, AZ 85638 Navajo Nation Museum at Window Rock
Window Rock marks the capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest native American reservation in the Southwest USA. Window Rock is a huge, round hole eroded through the sandstone rock. After exploring the interesting rock formation, spend time in the museum which has many exhibits telling the history of the Puebloans and the Navajo Indians.
Contact the Museum:
(928) 871-7941/6647 Navajo Nation Museum PO Box 2520
Hwy 264 and Post Office Loop Road Window Rock, AZ 86515 Canyon de Chelly National Monument
A visit to the Canyon de Chelly explores the history of human habitation in the area as long ago as AD300 by the basket maker people, followed by the Hopi and the Navajo farmers. Thousand foot high sandstone cliffs make an awesome sight with cliff dwellings carved in the rock face. A traditional Hogan home is reconstructed here complete with dirt floor and smoke hole. Pictographs on the canyon wall tell the somber tale of invading Spanish soldiers. Hike the area with a Navajo guide and prepare to be awed by this magnificent canyon.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument HQ:
(928) 674-5500 PO Box 588 Chinle AZ 86503
Fax (928) 674-5507
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