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Free Travel Guide Guide

Monumental Sights

Natural Beauty

Parks & Monuments

From cactus to canyons, pine forests to sky islands, Arizona's parks and monuments feature a wide array of scenery, history, and activities for all ages.

Experiencing Arizona's outdoors is a highlight for many travelers to the Grand Canyon State, and for good reason.

Northern Arizona draws guests to its pines and plateaus, while Central Arizona shows off with its red rocks and the lush Verde Valley. Not to be outdone, Southern Arizona greets guests with saguaro-filled landscapes and stunning rock formations above and below ground, and Western Arizona offers some of the best water sports and beaches (yes, beaches) in the state. Rounding out the list, Eastern Arizona sports a little bit of everything, from green forests to petrified wood and petroglyphs.

When viewing the maps below, be sure to check each park's website to confirm fees, hours and available services. Some offer services such as a visitors center and bathrooms, while others are in a more remote backcountry and are best traveled by the well-prepared.

Lastly, take note if you're traveling to parks and areas on tribal lands as you likely will need an additional permit or local guide to enter.

Arizona's State, National and Historic Parks & Monuments

Agua Fria Nation­al Monument

Discover prehistoric sites and outdoor adventure with hiking, birdwatching, and camping in Agua Fria National Monument. Located 40 miles north of Phoenix.
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Alamo Lake State Park

Come prepared to reel ‘em in at Alamo Lake, one of the state’s top bass fishing destinations. Located around 40 miles southeast of Lake Havasu City, Alamo Lake State Park is a…
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Ante­lope Canyon

Northern Arizona's pristine slot canyon invites visitors to step inside a monumental natural sculpture.
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Ari­zona State Parks Trails System

In search of adventure? The Arizona State Parks Trails System features over 600 non-motorized trails statewide for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
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Buck­skin Moun­tain State Park

Enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, and camping at Buckskin Mountain State Park. Warm weather makes this an ideal year-round Arizona destination.
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Canyon de Chelly Nation­al Monument

Step back in time at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Explore the canyon walls that cradle hundreds of ancient pueblo ruins. Get up close with a hike or plan a guided…
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Casa Grande Ruins Nation­al Monument

At the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, discover the Ancient Sonoran Desert People’s farming community including the preserved “Great House,” or “Casa Grande."
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Catali­na State Park

Bring your horse, bicycle, or just your hiking boots and you’re bound to have a good time at Catalina State Park. Located less than 20 miles north of Tucson, this place is…
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Cat­tail Cove State Park

Do you love to have fun? Cattail Cove State Park ensures a great time with activities including swimming, fishing, boating and camping near Lake Havasu.
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Chir­ic­ahua Nation­al Monument

A national monument with towering vertical columns of rock formations. Hike on 17 miles of trails, camp at Bonita Canyon Campground, or visit the Faraway Ranch (a two-room cabin from 1886).
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Col­orado Riv­er State His­toric Park

Take a trip back in time at Colorado River State Historic Park, which the U.S. army once used to unload, store, and distribute supplies.
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Coro­n­a­do Nation­al Memorial

16th century Spanish colonial exploration of the Americas led to lasting cultural influences throughout Arizona, and Francisco Vásquez de Coronado’s expedition was a major one. The Coronado National Memorial commemorates Coronado’s expedition…
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Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Camping, canoeing, hiking, and fishing. Do all of this and more at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, located in the Coconino National Forest in Cottonwood.
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Fort Apache His­toric Park

Discover an ancient culture from prehistoric to modern day at Fort Apache Historic Park in Arizona.
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Fort Verde State His­toric Park

Discover Arizona’s history and what life was like during the Indian Wars at Fort Verde State Historic Park.
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Four Cor­ners Monument

Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point. Discover more things to do around this one-of-a-kind landmark.
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Glen Canyon & Lake Powell

Spread over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is an outdoor haven, renown for its stunning scenery and geologic wonders, including the ever popular Lake Powell.
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Grand Canyon

Vast, magnificent and inarguably beautiful, the Grand Canyon is easily Arizona's most distinguishable landmark — a natural wonder you must see to believe. Stretching 277 miles from end to end, the Grand…
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Grand Canyon West

At the western edge of the Grand Canyon—near Las Vegas and Lake Havasu—Grand Canyon West offers incredible experiences on Hualapai Tribal land.
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Gran­ite Moun­tain Hot­shots Memo­r­i­al State Park

“I get asked a lot why this park is special. This is sacred ground, this is where the hotshots lost their lives. The ground is honored and protected. It is not only…
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Homolovi State Park

Settled by the Hisat'sinom people in the 14th century, the lush flood plains and sandy banks of Homolovi State Park remain a significant site for the Hopi community of today. View the…
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Huala­pai Moun­tain Park

Hualapai Mountain Park, near Kingman, Arizona is a 2,300-acre park that offers picnicking and 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrians, plus cabins.
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Jerome State His­toric Park

Discover the history of Jerome, AZ at Jerome State Historic Park. This museum was once the stately mansion of mining mogul James Douglas.
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Kartch­n­er Cav­erns State Park

Discover the world’s longest stalactite formation at Kartchner Caverns. This limestone cave is a short hop from Tucson, Arizona in nearby Benson.
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Lake Hava­su State Park

With year-round ideal weather, Lake Havasu State Park makes a splash with its beautiful beaches and nature trails and an abundance of things to do like boating, wildlife viewing, fishing and camping.
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Lost Dutch­man State Park

Visit the Lost Dutchman State Park for the fabled Lost Dutchman gold, or enjoy the scenic hiking and biking trails. Camping also available.
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Lyman Lake State Park

Want a taste of history and the thrill of watersports? Lyman Lake State Park in St. Johns, AZ offers petroglyphs trails and a 1,500 acre reservoir.
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McFar­land State His­toric Park

Step back in time at McFarland State Historic Park, a courthouse in Florence, AZ. Named for Ernest McFarland, this is one museum that shouldn’t be missed.
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Mon­tezu­ma Cas­tle Nation­al Monument

Discover this historic five-story Native American dwelling carved out of an ancient limestone cliff with twenty rooms. Begun during the twelfth century, it took about three centuries to complete.
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Mon­u­ment Val­ley Nava­jo Trib­al Park

On a scenic road trip through Northern Arizona, Monument Valley’s iconic landscapes inspire visitors. Located in Northern Arizona, Monument Valley’s collection of crimson mesas and towering sandstone buttes captures colors that appear…
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Nava­jo Nation­al Monument

Explore the ancestral past of modern Southwest tribes at Navajo National Monuments’ three cliff dwellings: Batatakin, Keet Seel, and Inscription House.
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Ora­cle State Park

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert in Oracle State Park, an hour from Tucson. Take a hike and visit the historic Kannally Ranch House.
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Organ Pipe Cac­tus Nation­al Monument

Discover the only place in the United States where the organ pipe cactus grows wild. Visit Arizona's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
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Parashant Nation­al Monument

Parashant National Monument is a geological and natural paradise. A million plus acres of land stretch across sprawling landscapes, with a significant portion located along the northern edge of the Grand Canyon.
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Patag­o­nia Lake State Park

Patagonia Lake State Park in Patagonia is a great place for fishing, water skiing, camping, picnicking, and hiking all year round.
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Pet­ri­fied For­est Nation­al Park

Nature, geology, archaeology, paleontology and even architecture meet at this high-desert park. Stretching for miles on both sides of Interstate 40 and located near the town of Holbrook in Northern Arizona, Petrified…
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Pica­cho Peak State Park

Don’t miss Picacho Peak, the most famous summit in the Sonoran Desert, which you can spot on the interstate between Tucson and Phoenix.
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Pipe Spring Nation­al Monument

Travel back in time when native tribes lived off the land and pioneers made their mark on Pipe Spring in Arizona. Tour Winsor Castle and walk through settler history.
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Red Rock State Park

Hike, bike, or horseback ride on trails winding through Sedona's iconic red rock formations. Let the spectacular natural beauty inspire you, as it has done for generations of visitors.
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Rior­dan Man­sion State His­toric Park

Visit the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff, AZ. Take a guided tour and learn about the two connected mansions built by two influential brothers.
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Riv­er Island State Park

River Island State Park, near Parker, AZ, is an outstanding year-round outdoor destination for camping, fishing, boating, jet skiing, swimming, and hiking.
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Rop­er Lake State Park

Visit Roper Lake State Park, located near Safford in southern Arizona, for fishing largemouth bass and rainbow trout, stay for camping, plus enjoy a natural hot spring.
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Saguaro Nation­al Park

Saguaro National Park in Tucson features giant saguaros in their native environment, plus access to wildlife viewing, hiking and scenic drives.
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Slide Rock State Park

Take a dip in one of America’s top 10 most beautiful swimming holes. Just seven miles north of Sedona, in an area called Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park offers a…
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South Moun­tain Park & Preserve

South Mountain Park / Preserve is a point of pride for Phoenix. As the largest municipally operated park in the country, it is an enjoyable place for hiking, biking, scenic drives and…
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Sun­set Crater Vol­cano Nation­al Monument

Explore an otherworldly landscape at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Arizona's most recent volcanic eruption site, which offers unique hikes and sightseeing.
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Tomb­stone Cour­t­house State His­toric Park

See where justice was served at the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. The 1882 courthouse is now a museum filled with Old West artifacts.
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Ton­to Nation­al Monument

Tonto National Monument features two Salado-style cliff dwellings dating back 700 years ago. This site tells the story of the Salado people who resided in this part of Arizona. Visitors can learn…
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Ton­to Nat­ur­al Bridge State Park

Located near Payson, Arizona, Tonto Natural Bridge is known to be the world’s largest natural travertine bridge that you can hike to or view from the car.
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Tubac Pre­sidio State His­toric Park

Explore Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Arizona’s oldest European community and the best-preserved Spanish Colonial presidio site in the state.
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Tumacá­cori Nation­al His­tor­i­cal Park

Step back in time and explore this 19th-century Franciscan mission, built under the guidance of a master mason by American Indian and Spanish laborers. Though Tumacácori's church was never completed, it remains…
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Tuzi­goot Nation­al Monument

Explore an ancient 110-room hilltop pueblo and a collection of artifacts at the museum. Also see gorgeous views of varying desert landscapes.
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V‑Bar‑V Her­itage Site

Come see the largest known and best preserved petroglyph site in the Verde Valley. V-Bar-V is named for the brand used on the original ranch at that location. Purchased by the Coconino…
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Wupat­ki Nation­al Monument

Less than an hour north of Flagstaff, amid red rocks and prairies, Wupatki National Monument preserves pueblos once inhabited by ancestors of the Hopi and Zuni people.
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Wal­nut Canyon Nation­al Monument

Located in Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon National Monument is a natural gem in central Arizona that offers opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the past. Among the remarkable geological formations of…
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Yuma Ter­ri­to­r­i­al Prison State His­toric Park

Journey back to the Wild West at Yuma Territorial State Historic Park and learn about the infamous inmates of this former Arizona prison.
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A Day at the Park, or Lake, or...

Things to Do

The Superstition Mountains' iconic formations is set against a blue sky and a field of wild desert flowers and foilage

Outdoor Adventure

Arizona State Parks for Every Interest

Arizona's 34 state parks have something for everyone—from contemplative nature walks to stargazing to camping. Here's our abbreviated look at...

Organ Pipe Cacti

Heritage & Culture

9 Little-Known Parks in Arizona

Hoodoos, cacti and castles: Choose from a wide range of fascinating adventures in and around Arizona state and U.S. national lands.

Outdoor Adventures

7 Amazing, Completely Under-the-Radar Arizona Parks

Arizona may be the Grand Canyon State, but there are a wealth of equally impressive landscapes far beyond the world-famous national park. If...

Antelope Canyon's narrow, sand-swept walls

Must Do

A Guide to Visiting Antelope Canyon the 'Right Way'

Antelope Canyon's otherworldly beauty makes it one of the most highly sought after destinations in the world, and access to this natural marvel...

Scenic shot of Horseshoe Bend from an overlook with a view of the Colorado River and rolling clouds.

Must Do

A Guide to Visiting Horseshoe Bend 'the Right Way'

Horseshoe Bend attracts 2 million visitors every year and is one of the most photographed sites in northern Arizona. Here, we walk you through...

A steamboat is docked, awaiting passengers, as the sun sets. Mountains and hills overlook the water

Family Activities

10 Accessible Adventures in Arizona

The Grand Canyon State welcomes all visitors, including those with different mobility, visual, and hearing abilities. From high in the sky to...

A lakeside campsite at Patagonia Lake State Park featuring a tent, park table, and kayaks surrounded by lush greenery.

Outdoor Adventures

The Best Campsites in Southern Arizona

Southern Arizona is home to stunning landscapes, and its sunshine and dry heat make for ideal car camping weather.

Hammock and RV

Family Activities

Arizona Campgrounds Kids Will Love

One of the best ways to experience Arizona's natural beauty? By sleeping under the stars at one of the state's many family-friendly campgrounds.

Horseshoe Bend painting Horseshoe Bend painting

Appreciate AZ

Get Involved

Enjoying the outdoors? Learn how you can help protect Arizona's iconic natural features for yourself and others.

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Need More Outdoor Options?

Lakes, Trails & Other Natural Areas

A woman and young girl stand next to an inflatable blue raft by the Colorado River, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon

Find Your Oasis

Arizona’s Rivers & Lakes

Blessed with 128 lakes and 5 major rivers, Arizona beckons outdoor enthusiasts to hike, raft, ski and fish year-round.

Kaibab National Forest

Kaibab National Forest

Check out the Kaibab National Forest for a three-in-one adventure like no other. The forest has three districts to explore: Williams, Tusayan,...

Two hikers wade through a stream that flows between a canyon. On either side are green mesquite trees and other desert shrubs

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

This protected 19,410 acres of Eden is perfect for primitive, adventure-based recreation like horseback riding, hiking, camping and hunting.

Madera Canyon

Madera Canyon

Madera Canyon is a retreat for birds and human snow birds alike, with cooler weather, extensive trail systems and mountainous scenery.

Hiker appreciates the view on the Mogollon Rim Interpretive Trail in Flagstaff.

Mogollon Rim

Visit the Mogollon Rim, near Payson, AZ, for scenic views and outdoor recreation including hiking, horseback riding, rock-climbing, hunting,...

A man in a jacket and cowboy hat sits atop boulders, some with snow, overlooking a valley below.

Mount Lemmon

Visitors to this biodiverse Sky Island are delighted by the hiking, skiing and rock climbing — just an hour from Tucson, Arizona. Mount Lemmon...

Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon

Looking for a place to get outdoors that offers easy and challenging trails? This is that place. On the northeast edge of Tucson, Sabino Canyon...

Sunset at Watson Lake in Watson Lake Park, Prescott

Watson Lake and the Granite Dells

This beautiful lake, just four miles away from downtown Prescott, features fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, camping...

West Fork of Oak Creek

West Fork of Oak Creek

West Fork of Oak Creek, near Sedona, AZ is within the Coconino National Forest. Beautiful hiking and scenery all year long make this a popular...

White Mountain Trail System

White Mountain Trail System

The White Mountain Trail System, near Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, offers a series of interconnected trails for hiking, mountain biking, and...