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

Visit Arizona’s Wonderland of Rocks in Coronado National Forest

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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

Walk in the footsteps of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in this magnificent natural area just north of Mexico.

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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

Spot one of the Southwest’s best-preserved cliff dwellings in Central Arizona.

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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

Visit the only place in the U.S. where organ pipe cactus grows in the wild.

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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

Visit this remote site in Northern Arizona dedicated to native culture and Western pioneer 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

Take a tour of Flagstaff history at the former home of an influential pioneer family.

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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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