Elizabeth Exline 2021-08-19 22:54:12
1 PICK UP SKILLS Discover your inner adventurer with an Arizona Family Campout. Facilitated by Arizona State Parks and Trails, this one-night adventure for beginners demystifies the experience. Learn skills like how to pitch a tent and manage your water while hiking, plus fishing and geocaching at some of the state’s most iconic destinations including Catalina and Patagonia Lake State Parks. Be sure to book early, as spots fill up quickly. See upcoming dates at azstateparks.com/family-camp. 2 SELECT YOUR SITE Arizona State Parks and Trails has taken the guesswork out of deciding where to camp. Its website offers details like the number of campsites and available amenities at parks across the state. Browse parks by interest (horse trails, hiking, swimming), explore what makes each park unique and reserve a cabin or campsite at azstateparks.com/reserve or 1-877-MY-PARKS. 3 PACK & PREPARE In addition to the basics (think shelter, layered clothing, food and water, sunscreen, toiletries and bug repellant), you’ll need to bring essentials like a headlamp or flashlight, map/GPS system, first-aid supplies, fire starters, a towel and soap, toilet paper and cookware. 4 GET YOUR GEAR Not ready to invest in a tent just yet? No problem. This and other camping essentials are available for rent at places like Peace Surplus in Flagstaff, Arizona Hiking Shack in Phoenix and LowerGear Outdoors in Tempe. 5 STAY SAFE The great outdoors are better when you’re prepared. Before leaving, check weather conditions, leave a trip plan with a trusted contact and bring a map or download trail information on your phone. (Bonus for bringing a solar charger or extra battery.) While you’re out, always stay on trails and steer clear of wildlife. 6 APPRECIATE AZ While camping, protect Arizona’s natural splendor by following the seven Leave No Trace principles: Plan Ahead and Prepare, Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife and Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Learn more at appreciateaz.com. 7 SHARE A SELFIE Sometimes your outdoor adventure is too good to keep to yourself. Share a spectacular sunset snap or a victorious selfie from atop a summit and tag #VisitArizona and #AZStateParks. And follow both accounts to stay inspired by Arizona’s flora, fauna, history and people. After all, someone else’s post may just be your next camping trip. Sites to Suit Your Style The focal point of any camping trip is the scenery. And whether you prefer the splendor of the desert, the tranquility of the woods or the mystery of the water, Arizona offers up plenty of options for your perfect backdrop. NATURE NEWBIE BY THE WATER LAKE HAVASU STATE PARK, Lake Havasu City If the London Bridge of Lake Havasu City isn’t reason enough to visit, the beachfront campsites, boating and nature trails are. Fishing, boating and swimming are all available along with 450 miles of shoreline. DESERT WONDERS LOST DUTCHMAN STATE PARK CAMPGROUND, Apache Junction Located just 40 miles east of Phoenix, this park offers the seclusion of the Sonoran Desert and the convenience of nearby civilization. Go in the spring to see a bounty of wildflowers, or go anytime to explore the park’s trails and geocaching treasures. IN THE WOODS PINE GROVE CAMPGROUND, Flagstaff Nestled in the Coconino National Forest just south of Flagstaff, this campground is shaded by pine trees and offers access to the Arizona Trail, a border-to-border trail from Utah to Mexico. Look for elk, mule deer and, in winter, bald eagles. COMPETENT CAMPER MANZANITA CAMPGROUND, Sedona As part of the Coconino National Forest, this campground offers access to Sedona’s famed Oak Creek for swimming and fishing. (Or venture to nearby Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area.) Reserve your campsite early; this is a popular destination. HOMOLOVI STATE PARK, Winslow Named for the Hopi word for “Place of the Small Hills,” this 4,000-acre state park attracts history buffs for its rich Hopi heritage. Explore ancient ruins and archeological sites set amid the sun-bleached desert. BONITA CANYON CAMPGROUND AT CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT, Willcox Enjoy spacious campsites shaded by trees, and then venture to numerous hiking trails to see dramatic hoodoos and sweeping overlooks. At night, this International Dark-Sky-certified area is a prime place for stargazing. BACKCOUNTRY BUFF PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK, Nogales Stretching across 260 acres, Patagonia Lake is a showpiece within southeastern Arizona. Reserve one of the 12 boat-in campsites to explore the region’s fishing and birdwatching. The Lakeside Market offers rentals and supplies. ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT, Ajo Home to extraordinary Sonoran Desert flora (including 31 species of cactus), this is a designated International Biosphere Reserve. Nine backcountry camping zones include roadless, waterless and trailless terrain for a truly off-the-beaten-path experience. HORTON CREEK TRAIL, Payson With waterfalls, wildflowers and wild berries, this trail affords much more than forest views. And intrepid campers can experience it up close when they take advantage of the dispersed camping at clearings and campsites available along the trail. Do you know the Leave No Trace principles? Scan with your phone to see how you can protect Arizona’s natural features.
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