Arizona State Parks

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

It’s and if you’re looking for ways to get out in nature, save this guide 👉 azstateparks.com/great-outdoors-month. We have tons of resources to help you plan a fun and safe Arizona outdoor adventure.

If you’re looking for reasons to go outside, buckle up because we have a list! What would you add?
😌 Boosts physical and mental health
🤝 Creates connection to others
🌌 Sparks curiosity and wonder
🌵 Deepens appreciation of the world around us

📍 Park pictured: Rockin' River Ranch State Park

06/01/2026

Ready to explore the hidden world beneath your feet? 🤩 June 1-7 is ! We're celebrating the underground world and the vital importance of cave and karst environments for research, conservation, and drinking water. Follow along all week as we virtually explore the amazing world of caves and share cool facts about an awesome southern Arizona gem: Kartchner Caverns State Park! 💎

06/01/2026

Happy anniversary, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area! For 31 years, this beautiful state park has offered Arizonans beauty, relaxation, and adventure.

Do you know the quirky story behind the name of this beautiful place? In 1885, Thomas Jefferson Adair moved into the area with the intention of farming. The locals joked that only a fool would try to farm the place. The name stuck! The tiny town of Adair has long since been covered by the lake, but it was Adair who was responsible for the name Fool Hollow. Today, visitors can camp among the tall pines at a cool 6,300 feet in elevation. Learn more about this park's history at https://azstateparks.com/fool-hollow/explore/park-history.

05/31/2026

This Saturday, June 6, make plans to be on the water! Arizona Game and Fish Department will not require fishing licenses that day at any state waters or community lakes as part of National Free Fishing Day. You can even bring a newbie angler or kiddo to fishing clinics offered at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Dankworth Pond by the Roper Lake State Park rangers. Park entry fees still apply but there’s no cost to these clinics or the need to pay for a fishing license on June 6. Learn more at azstateparks.com/events.

05/31/2026

Happy 58th anniversary, Picacho Peak State Park! This park was opened and dedicated on May 30, 1968. The peak itself has been long used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times. Learn about its history at azstateparks.com/picacho/explore/park-history.

05/30/2026

Lace up your boots and join the mission! 🥾🇺🇸 This summer, veterans, military families, and outdoor supporters across Arizona are coming together for a statewide effort to honor service, build community, and experience the beauty of the Arizona Trail. Whether you hike, bike, ride horseback, or volunteer, Operation Freedom March helps connect people to the healing power of the outdoors while supporting stewardship of Arizona’s public lands.

As part of the Arizona Trail Association VETS Program and the Outdoors250 celebration, participants work together to collectively cover all 800 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail leading up to Independence Day.

Get outside, give back, and honor those who served.

05/28/2026

The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office - SHPO and Arizona Preservation Foundation have announced the recipients of the 2026 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards, recognizing individuals, organizations, and projects that have made outstanding contributions to preserving Arizona's prehistoric, historic, and cultural resources.

Since 1982, the Arizona Preservation Foundation and SHPO, a division of Arizona State Parks & Trails, have partnered to present Arizona's highest preservation honors. The awards celebrate excellence in historic preservation while increasing public awareness of the importance of safeguarding Arizona's diverse heritage

"Historic preservation connects Arizonans to the people, places, and stories that shaped our communities," said Kathryn Leonard, State Historic Preservation Officer. "These award recipients demonstrate how preservation strengthens local identity, enriches our understanding of the past, and ensures that significant cultural resources remain meaningful and accessible for future generations."

The 2026 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award recipients are: The Abuelas Project: Borderlands; David Yubeta; Fort Lowell Commissary, Tucson; Jason M. Nez; L. Ron Hubbard Osborn House, Phoenix; Lehi Auditorium Rehabilitation, Mesa; Lookout Studio Rehabilitation, Grand Canyon National Park; Pranav Raj Vippagunta and Lois A. Valdez, Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council; Sprouts House, Tucson; and Tucson Heritage Video Series.

The highest honor presented through the program, the James W. Garrison Heritage Award, will be announced on May 30. Named in honor of former State Historic Preservation Officer James W. Garrison, the award is selected by the Office of Governor Katie Hobbs from among the year's award recipients.

"The Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards recognize the remarkable efforts of volunteers, professionals, nonprofits, government agencies, and community advocates who work tirelessly to preserve Arizona's heritage," said Jim McPherson, President of the Arizona Preservation Foundation Board of Directors. "Their accomplishments demonstrate that preservation is not only about protecting historic places. It is about investing in vibrant communities, education, and Arizona's shared future."

The awards will be presented during a public ceremony on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Arizona Baseball Museum, located within the historic 1939 Lehi Auditorium on the Mesa Historical Museum campus, 2345 N. Horne, Mesa. Opened in early 2026, the museum is Arizona's first permanent museum dedicated to the history of baseball in the state. A reception will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. RSVP to [email protected]

05/27/2026

Look closely at the iconic red walls of the Tombstone Courthouse! You’re seeing the foundation of history built by skilled Chinese laborers. In 1882, they made the brick and built the iconic Tombstone Courthouse after contractor Mr. Joyner struggled to find a crew for construction. Using sand hauled from Watervale (the original settlement when mining claims were first filed), these artisans crafted the very foundation of history right across the street from the site. In more recent history, when rangers and volunteers began creating the native plant and pollinator garden at the park’s ramada area, they found the soil to be very sandy, likely from the brick making in the late 1800s.

The Chinese community was a vital heartbeat of the Town Too Tough to Die. While many resided in "Hop Town" — the district between First and Third streets — entrepreneur Quong Kee broke boundaries. As the owner of the famous Can-Can Restaurant, he served some of the town's most notorious figures like Billy Clanton at his establishment on Allen Street.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. Visit Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park to see this legacy for yourself and learn more about prominent Chinese residents through the interpretive displays in the museum.