9 Gorgeous Arizona State Parks to Visit This Year

Where to find the best state parks in Arizona

Arizona is fantastic when it comes to access. With several large airports, an extensive highway system, and wide open roads, it’s pretty easy to reach whatever park you want to go (or connect several parks on one trip).

Kartchner Caverns State Park

• Address: 2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ 85602
• Camping: Yes

Kartchner Caverns—named for the family who owned the land when the caves were discovered in 1974—is unassuming above ground but a geological wonder below the surface. The park opened to the public in 1999, with later expansions adding additional tours, and today offers guided experiences through sections of the 2.4-mile-long cavern.

There are several types of cave tours, including the year-round Rotunda/Throne Room tour, seasonal Big Room tours, and more specialized options like headlamp and photography tours. The Throne Room is home to the state’s largest formation, Kubla Khan.

You should book your tours in advance, since they often sell out. Tours run year-round, though availability varies by season. Campground reservations should also be made ahead of time if possible, but there’s good news if camping isn’t your thing: this is one of several Arizona state parks with on-site cabin rentals. They’re basic—similar to what you’d find at a KOA—but can sleep up to six people and include heat, air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, and microwave. Bathrooms are shared, and rates typically start around $100 per night.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

• Address: Nf-583A, Pine, AZ 85544
• Camping: No

If you like unusual rock formations, head to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Arizona. It’s believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, measuring about 150 feet wide and more than 180 feet tall. There are four viewpoints overlooking the bridge, and you can also hike down to walk underneath it through a massive rock tunnel. Note that dogs aren’t allowed on any of the park’s trails.

The park has a few hiking trails, all under about half a mile but steep and often slippery. After checking out the bridge, you can cool off in Pine Creek, explore the small museum inside the historic Goodfellow Lodge, or visit nearby sites like the Shoofly Native American ruins, some of which are more than 1,000 years old.

Lost Dutchman State Park

• Address: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ
• Camping: Yes, plus cabin rentals

The Lost Dutchman State Park is named after a yet-to-be-found gold mine believed to be somewhere in the Superstition Mountains about an hour east of Phoenix. It’s only about 320 acres, making it one of the smaller Arizona state parks, but the terrain it does have is gorgeous. Its rugged desert landscape is adorned with towering saguaro cacti, dramatic rock formations, and the imposing Superstition Mountains in the background.

There are several popular hiking trails for all skill levels. The most popular is the 2.3-mile Treasure Loop Trail, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is a great introduction to the park’s natural beauty. For a more challenging hike, the 5.5-mile Siphon Draw Trail leads to the base of the Superstition Mountains and offers a chance to explore the famous Flatiron formation, though it gains more than 2,600 feet of elevation in the process. Keep an eye out while you’re hiking for one of the park’s extremely rare gila monsters, as well as other notable wildlife.

Campers can reserve any of the park’s 135 campsites online, or opt for a cabin. Cabins start at $89 per night and have heat and A/C, making them a great choice in the colder winter months.

Lake Havasu State Park

• Address: 699 London Bridge Rd, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
• Camping: Yes, plus cabin rentals

Lake Havasu State Park is all about beaching, as you can probably guess from the name. Lake Havasu is a large reservoir created by the Parker Dam on the Colorado River, and it provides plenty of water-based activities. The lake’s clear blue waters are perfect for swimming, boating, jet skiing, and fishing. Anglers can cast their lines in search of a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and sunfish. You can also rent boats and jet skis from the park’s provider, Wet Monkey Watersports Rentals, which operates year-round.

The park’s sandy beaches are excellent for sunbathing and picnicking, offering picturesque views of the surrounding desert landscape and the iconic London Bridge, which was dismantled in London, England, and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City. The beaches are big and wide with soft sand, much like you may expect from an ocean beach in Florida or California.

Lake Havasu State Park has both cabins, RV, and tent camping sites. One of the best thing about the tent camping sites is that you can reserve a lakefront site for only $5 extra. This is one of the more popular parks in Arizona, so it’s best to make your reservations in advance if possible for both camping and cabins.

The park hosts various events and programs throughout the year, including guided hikes, astronomy programs, and educational presentations, providing visitors with opportunities to learn about the local ecology and history.

Red Rock State Park

• Address: 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ
• Camping: No

Red Rock State Park in Arizona’s Red Rock Country is known for its breathtaking red sandstone formations. The park only has five miles of hiking trails, but they lead to some fantastic viewpoints. If you only have time for one, make it the 2.5-mile Eagle’s Nest hike, leading to the highest point in the park with views over the Sedona area.

The park’s trails are short and interconnected, forming a network of loops through desert and riparian landscapes along Oak Creek. If you want to do a longer hike (and can arrange a pickup), consider the Lime Kiln Historical Wagon Trail. It’s about 15 miles total and connects Red Rock State Park with Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Beyond hiking, this is one of the best Arizona state parks for birdwatching, and you’ll find lots of weekend gatherings at the excellent picnic area by Oak Creek. The park hosts frequent guided hikes and educational programs focused on local wildlife and ecology, too.

Slide Rock State Park

• Address: 6871 N Hwy 89A, Sedona, Arizona 86336
• Camping: No

Slide Rock State Park is one of the most popular recreation spots near Sedona. It was originally an apple farm, and the orchard and historic cabins are still open for visitors. But what truly makes this one of the most popular Arizona state parks is the natural water slide, shaped from smooth, red sandstone in Oak Creek. It’s roughly 80 feet long and gets quite busy.

The best time to visit Slide Rock State Park is between June and September, when it’s warm enough for swimming and sitting in the river. Try to go midweek if you can, and if you’re visiting in the morning, try to get there early both to get a parking spot and stake out a good place to hang out along the rocks. To get to the slide rock swim area, take the 0.3-mile Slide Rock Route trail along Oak Creek. Pay attention to any posted water quality signs regarding swimming.

Catalina State Park

• Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737
• Camping: Yes

Catalina State Park, at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, is home to nearly 5,000 giant saguaros, plus other desert flora and fauna. And for hikers, it’s a natural desert playground. The Romero Canyon Trail is a standout option and an invigorating challenge, with its steep inclines and access to views and higher elevations in the Catalina Mountains. For those seeking something even more ambitious, the Sutherland Trail winds along the seasonal Sutherland Wash and extends for many miles beyond the park.

Birdwatchers will have no shortage of avian species to seek out, including hawks, owls, and hummingbirds. Stargazing is also great, and throughout the year, Catalina State Park hosts educational programs, ranger-led hikes, and special events focused on the park’s ecology and history. Dogs are allowed in the park on leash, though restrictions apply on some trails and in adjacent wilderness areas.

Jerome State Historic Park

• Address: 100 Douglas Rd, Jerome, AZ 86331
• Camping: No

Jerome State Historic Park is one of the best Arizona state parks for anyone who wants a single destination that blends history, culture, and stunning scenery. This historic park is on Cleopatra Hill, overlooking the charming and quirky town of Jerome, a former mining community from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The park museum is housed in the Douglas Mansion, a beautifully preserved 1916 building that was once used as both a residence and a hotel for mining officials. Inside the mansion, you’ll find informative exhibits and displays that showcase the history of the town and its mining industry, as well as the lives of the people who lived and worked in Jerome during its heyday. There’s a self-guided tour, plus scheduled events like historical guided tours.

Additionally, Jerome itself is an artsy and quirky town with a colorful past, known for its artistic community, vibrant shops, and eclectic restaurants. After exploring the park, make a visit to the town — it’s one of the most unique in Arizona.

Roper Lake State Park

• Address: 101 E Roper Lake Rd, Safford, AZ 85546
• Camping: Yes, and cabin rentals

Roper Lake State Park is a tranquil oasis that beckons visitors seeking recreational opportunities with relatively small crowds. The lake is available for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating, and at only $10 per vehicle, it’s one of the cheapest beach trips you can make. The beach area is on the west side of the lake and is separated from the boating area, so it’s a relatively safe place to swim (though there’s no lifeguard on duty). You can also rent kayaks from the visitor center, if you’d rather be on the water instead of in it.

The cabins here are some of the best at any of the Arizona state parks, with many that sit just steps from the water. They have swinging chairs, picnic tables, and outdoor cooking areas, plus air conditioning and heating. You should reserve your cabin in advance, as well as your campsite. While it’s unusual for it to fill up, there are only 50 spots, so it can’t hurt to claim yours ahead of time.

For a fun weekend, book a cabin for an overnight. Spend your first day exploring the nearby mountains on the 11-mile Ladybug Trail, then head into the park and cook up a camp dinner at your cabin before spending the next morning swimming, paddling, and relaxing on the beach.