ARIZONA STATE PARKS NEWSLETTER

FAMILY CAMPOUT!

The Arizona Family Campout Program is designed for families that have little to no experience camping. We hope to introduce your family to all that the great outdoors has to offer. The program provides tents, camp chairs, lanterns, flashlights, GPS units, water bottles, first aid kits and all activity equipment.

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Family Campout 2016 Schedule:

Sept. 24-25: Homolovi State Park Oct. 1-2: Lyman Lake State Park Oct. 8-9: Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Oct. 15-16: Catalina State Park Oct. 22-23: Kartchner Caverns State Park Nov. 5-6: Cattail Cove State Park Nov. 12-13: Lost Dutchman State Park 2017 Schedule: March 18-19: Lost Dutchman State Park April 1-2: Catalina State Park April 8-9: Patagonia Lake State Park April 22-23: River Island State Park April 29-30: Fool Hollow Recreation Area May 13-14: Roper Lake State Park June 3-4: Dead Horse Ranch State Park

"GLAMPING" ANYONE? Ideal for campers who would rather spend time relaxing and playing than setting up camp. The cabins are furnished with a bunk bed, a full-sized bed, a table and chairs, electricity, light and a lockable door. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are just outside the cabin. Restrooms and showers can be found within walking distance.

Reserve Your Cabin Today!

SPOTLIGHT PARK

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Cottonwood, Arizona

Travel to northern Arizona's Verde Valley to enjoy water sports and abundant wildlife! The 3,300-foot elevation provides mild temperatures that are ideal for mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, and camping. Enjoy a more comfortable camping experience in one of the park's eight camping cabins! Come for the day or stay the night.

Reserve Your Spot Now!

ICYMI: ACTIVITES HAPPENING IN OUR PARKS! Arizona's Best Beaches Arizona Site Stewards Program Arizona Office of Tourism Newsletter Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Gets Big Donations From APS 10 Coolest Things in State Parks Across America Parks Within Two Hours of Phoenix 5 Amazing American Road Trips You Must Take This Summer 9 Best Things To Do In Arizona This Summer Huffington Post: The Best Things To Do In Every State Moonlight Hikes At Kartchner Caverns State Park Travel Channel: Top 10 Best Swimming Holes Partners renew agreement to keep Tubac Presidio State Park open Launch Ramp Opening Lake Havasu Special Events At Oracle

Have you visited a state park recently? We'd love to hear about your visit! You can review any of our parks on TripAdvisor. Our guests often tell us how helpful it is to read past guests' reviews before booking their own visits. We're always eager to hear what you liked and how we can improve. Here's an example of a recent review:

ARIZONA PREMIER TRAILS Now for the first time, the 100 best trails in the state will be named as part of the new Arizona Premier Trails System. The Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT) is looking for public input on which trails should be considered for this prestigious designation. Individuals, clubs, organizations and communities throughout Arizona who support, and recreate on, the state's vast network of trails are invited to become involved in the selection process. So if you'd like to hike it, hoof it, bike it or paddle it, nominate it for consideration as an Arizona Premier Trail.

TRAIL GRANTS AWARDED On July 20, 2016, Arizona State Parks authorized 28 trail related projects totaling $2,425,093 to improve the state's existing trails, trail-related facilities and develop new trail systems. These motorized and non-motorized projects are funded by the federal Recreational Trails Program and the State's Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund.

Three volunteer advisory committees specific to non-motorized trail experts Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT), motorized recreation specialists, the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG), and outdoor recreation professionals, Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC) review and provide insightful feedback on projects and level of funding.

SPOTLIGHT EVENT

METEOR MADNESS Lost Dutchman State Park August 12, 8:00pm Steve Kates, a leading expert on the skies, will be your guide for the best meteor shower (the Perseids) of the year! Event Activities 8-9pm - Free beer grotto for adult guests sponsored by Lagunitas Brewing Company, snacks and treats 9-10pm - Dr. Sky presentation on meteor shower and asteroids 10pm - Live radio broadcast on Coast To Coast with Dr. Sky 10:30-11pm - Intermission (grab your lawn chair!) 11pm- sunrise - Meteor viewing and tips on how to photograph meteors

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ANNUAL PASS Hey outdoor enthusiasts! Be sure to renew your Arizona State Parks annual pass and start your summer adventures today! The pass provides seamless access and freedom to explore all the state parks.

Purchase a pass for yourself or as a gift.

FIRST SATURDAY CONCERTS

August 6: Catalina State Park 6:00pm Love music and being outdoors? Come enjoy Catalina State Park's First Saturday Concerts every month. Each month there is a new musician or group featured and free popcorn! Bring your chair, your friends or family and relax under the beautiful skies with spectacular views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

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SUVOYUKI DAY August 6: Homolovi State Park 8am-3pm The festival celebrates partners who have protected the Homolovi area archaeological and cultural sites from destruction. Activities include cultural artists demonstrations, a corn roasting pit and a Hopi dance group.

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FULL MOON HIKES Kartchner Caverns State Park at 6:30pm Aug 6, Aug 27 and Sept 10 Bring water and suitable clothing and shoes!

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STAR PARTY EVENTS Get out of the house and under the stars this summer! Come spend an evening with your family or friends at the park and observe the wonders of the night sky through astronomers' telescopes! Homolovi State Park August 13 Red Rock State Park August 27

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Verde River Days September 24: Dead Horse Ranch State Park All Day In celebration of the 27th annual Verde River Day, Arizona State Parks has waived park entrance fees for all visitors. All of the activities are at no cost, thanks to the many exhibitors and sponsors.

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STAR PARTY EVENTS Spend an evening with your family or friends at the park and observe the wonders of the night sky through astronomers' telescopes! Oracle State Park September 10

Catalina State Park September 24

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GUANO HAPPENS October 8: Kartchner Caverns State Park 9am

Join the third annual 5K trail run, mile run, and kids fun run! Runners, families and kids will enjoy the beautiful Whetstone Mountain trails of Kartchner Caverns State Park.

Sign Up Here!

FALL FESTIVAL October 8: Slide Rock State Park 9am Enjoy an apple cider press, black smithing, The Verde Valley Fly Wheelers displaying tractors and old engines, kiddie tractor pull, USFS and Smoky the bear, Adobe Mountain Raptors, quilt displays, 4-H and you can build your own scare crow!

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FORT VERDE DAYS October 8-9: Fort Verde State Historic Park All Day Fort Verde State Historic Park celebrates Fort Verde Days with a flag raising and lowering ceremony, living history presentations with Indian Wars period reenactors, presentations, a fashion show, cavalry and Vintage Baseball and Dutch Oven Cooking demonstrations.

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INFORMATION ON ALL ARIZONA STATE PARKS IN ONE PLACE Arizona State Parks offer diverse recreation opportunities throughout the state. Hiking, biking, camping, cabins, boating, fishing and more are waiting for you to discover. Download the latest issue of our statewide guide for what to do and where to go in both English & Spanish. GET YOUR DIGITAL COPY HERE

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Arizona State Parks, 23751 N 23rd Ave. #190, Phoenix, AZ 85085