Arizona State Parks

Arizona Parks Map Fact Box Slide Rock Sedona, Arizona Created 1985 43 acres Website: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/SLRO/ Slide Rock State Park, which was named as one of the ten best state parks in America by Forbes, was first developed in 1907 by Frank Pendley, who acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910.  Pendley developed an irrigation system and planted an apple orchard in 1912, and built rustic tourist cabins in the area in 1933. Today, Pendley's homestead and the apple farm are preserved as a historic district. The park is named for Slide Rock, a stretch of slippery creek bottom next to the homestead. The park includes offers three short hiking trails, a natural water slide, and a swim area. Several Hollywood films have been shot in the park, including Angel and the Badman (1946), Broken Arrow (1950), Gun Fury (1953), and Drum Beat (1954).  Fact Box Red Rock Sedona, Arizona Created in 1986 286 acres Website: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/RERO/index.html Red Rock State Park, located in central Arizona, is a nature preserve and education center, featuring a red sandstone canyon along with other stunning scenery. A rich riparian zone along Oak Creek, which runs through the park, supports a diverse array of species, including sycamore, ash, and alder trees as well as rare native fish, several frog species, and turtles. Away from the creek, manzanita, juniper, and hackberry are among the plants which are abundant. Red Rock State Park has five miles of hiking trails, mountain biking and horseback riding opportunities, and a visitor center which contains interpretive exhibits, a movie theater, classrooms, and a gift shop. Fact Box Tonto Natural Bridge Payson, Arizona Created in 1969 161 acres Website: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/index.html Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is made up of Tonto Natural Bridge, which is believed to be the largest natural travertine (limestone deposited by mineral springs) bridge in the world, and the area surrounding it. Tonto Natural Bridge was first discovered in 1877 by David Gowan, a Scottish prospector who stumped across the bridge as he was chased by Apaches. Gowan was impressed by the location and soon brought his family to live there in 1898. While Gowan's family left in 1948, visitors stand on the bridge, hike three trails around it, and see the historic Gowan Lodge.  Other State Parks in Arizona Alamo Lake State Park Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park Buckskin Mountain State Park Catalina State Park Cattail Cove State Park Dead Horse Ranch State Park Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Fort Verde State Historic Park Homolovi State Park Jerome State Historic Park Kartchner Caverns State Park Lake Havasu State Park Lost Dutchman State Park Lyman Lake State Park McFarland State Historic Park Oracle State Park Patagonia Lake State Park Picacho Peak State Park Riordan Mansion State Historic Park River Island State Park Roper Lake State Park San Rafael State Natural Area Sonoita Creek State Natural Area Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Verde River Greenway State Natural Area Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park Sources http://azstateparks.com/find/map.html http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/index.html http://azstateparks.com/Parks/RERO/index.html http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/index.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonto_Natural_Bridge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_Rock_State_Park http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rock_State_Park Alaska State Parks                                                                                                                                                                        Arkansas State Parks