List of Arizona state parks Facts for Kids

"Arizona State Parks" redirects here. For the government agency, see Arizona State Parks (government).

An Arizona state park is a special piece of land in the U.S. state of Arizona. These parks are protected by the state government. They save important natural areas, historical sites, or places for fun activities.

Arizona's state park system includes both regular state parks and state historic parks. It also has natural areas and recreation areas. Arizona currently has 31 state park locations. The Arizona State Parks government agency manages all or part of these sites.

In 2010, some Arizona state parks had to close because of money problems. But many have since reopened! This happened thanks to donations and help from local groups.

Discover Arizona's State Parks
- What Kinds of Parks Are There?
- Why Are State Parks Important?
Explore Arizona's State Parks: A Quick Guide
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Discover Arizona's State Parks

Arizona's state parks offer amazing places to explore. You can find everything from beautiful lakes to ancient ruins. Each park has something unique to see and do.

What Kinds of Parks Are There?

Arizona has different types of state parks:

State Parks: These usually focus on nature and outdoor fun. Think hiking, camping, or boating.
State Historic Parks: These parks protect important historical places. They teach us about Arizona's past.

Why Are State Parks Important?

State parks help protect Arizona's amazing natural beauty. They also keep its history alive. They give people places to learn, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

Explore Arizona's State Parks: A Quick Guide

Here is a list of some of Arizona's state parks. Each one offers a different adventure!

Park Name	County	Size		Elevation		Year Established	What Makes it Special?
Park Name	County	acres	ha	ft	m	Year Established	What Makes it Special?
Alamo Lake State Park	La Paz & Mohave	4,900	2,000	1,300	400	1969	This park has a quiet lake on the Bill Williams River. It's great for bass fishing and looking at stars.
Buckskin Mountain State Park	La Paz	1,677	679	420	130	1967	You can enjoy water activities here on the Colorado River.
Catalina State Park	Pima	5,493	2,223	2,650	810	1974	This park protects a varied desert landscape. It sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Cattail Cove State Park	Mohave	2,000	810	450	140	1970	This park is perfect for water fun on Lake Havasu.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park	Yavapai	423	171	3,300	1,000	1972	It offers outdoor activities along the Verde River.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area	Navajo	800	320	6,300	1,900	1994	This park surrounds a 150-acre (61 ha) mountain lake.
Fort Verde State Historic Park	Yavapai	11	4.5	3,260	990	1970	It shows what an Indian Wars-era fort looked like. It was active from 1871 to 1891.
Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park	Yavapai	320	130	4,318–5,460	1,316–1,664	2016	This park remembers the nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshots who died here. They were fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013.
Homolovi State Park	Navajo	4,500	1,800	4,900	1,500	1986	It protects old pueblo ruins and other Ancestral Puebloan sites.
Jerome State Historic Park	Yavapai			5,000	1,500	1957	This park honors the Douglas family. They were important in mining. Their 1916 adobe mansion is here.
Kartchner Caverns State Park	Cochise			4,700	1,400	1988	It protects a limestone cave. The cave has been kept in great condition since it was found in 1974.
Lake Havasu State Park	Mohave	928	376	480	150	1965	This park offers water fun on Lake Havasu.
Lost Dutchman State Park	Pinal	320	130	2,000	610	1977	It faces the Superstition Mountains. The famous Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is said to be hidden there.
Lyman Lake State Park	Apache	1,200	490	6,000	1,800	1960	This park features Lyman Reservoir and a 14th-century pueblo ruin.
McFarland State Historic Park	Pinal			1,500	460	1974	It protects a courthouse and jail from the early days of Arizona Territory.
Oracle State Park	Pinal	3,948	1,598	3,700	1,100	1986	It has an environmental learning center and a historic ranch house. It's also home to wildlife in the Santa Catalina Mountains foothills.
Patagonia Lake State Park	Santa Cruz	2,658	1,076	3,750	1,140	1974	This park offers fun activities on 265-acre (107 ha) Patagonia Lake.
Picacho Peak State Park	Pinal	3,747	1,516	2,000	610	1965	It features a unique 3,374-foot (1,028 m) peak and beautiful spring wildflowers.
Red Rock State Park	Yavapai	286	116	3,900	1,200	1986	This park protects a beautiful part of a red rock canyon.
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park	Coconino	5	2.0	6,900	2,100	1978	It shows the 1904 homes of the Riordan brothers. They were important in the lumber business.
Roper Lake State Park	Graham	338	137	3,130	950	1972	This park has a 32-acre (13 ha) fishing lake and a pond fed by a natural hot spring.
San Rafael State Natural Area	Santa Cruz	3,557	1,439	4,750	1,450	1999	It protects a natural grassland with few invasive plants. An old ranch here is now a historic site. This park is not open to the public.
Slide Rock State Park	Coconino	43	17	4,930	1,500	1985	It features a natural waterslide and an old apple orchard in Oak Creek Canyon.
Sonoita Creek State Natural Area	Santa Cruz	9,584	3,879	3,750	1,140	1994	This park protects a diverse area around Sonoita Creek. It is next to Patagonia Lake State Park.
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park	Cochise			4,539	1,383	1959	It protects the historic 1882 courthouse, sheriff's office, and jail.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park	Gila	161	65	4,530	1,380	1969	This park features the world's largest natural arch made of travertine.
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park	Santa Cruz			3,500	1,100	1958	It protects the ruins of the 1753 Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac. It also has an 1885 schoolhouse and a museum.
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area	Yavapai	480	190	3,300	1,000	1986	This park protects a 6-mile (9.7 km) part of the Verde River. It is next to Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park	Yuma			120	37	1997	It shows an 1864 U.S. Army facility. This facility supplied 14 military posts around the Southwest.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park	Yuma			120	37	1960	This park tells the story of the famous Arizona Territory prison. It was open from 1876 to 1909.