The 27 State Parks in Arizona provide many opportunities for Memorial Day campers. State Parks such as Lyman Lake near Springerville, Roper Lake in Safford & Alamo Lake State Park will probably be campgrounds that will not fill to capacity. Day use & historic parks have plenty of room for daytrippers & Kartchner Caverns State Park always has 100 walk-up tickets each day & good camping opportunities (book cave tours in advance by phone or online if possible.
There are some fire restrictions around the State so if you are planning to build a campfire in a park, be sure to check them out before you go. Remember if you cause a fire under fire restrictions it may result in substantial fines & jail time.
To keep your family & public lands safe while camping, please follow these precautionary tips:
* Bring a propane stove for cooking/heating rather than using a campfire.
* Carry a shovel in your car & use dirt and FIVE gallons of water for putting out campfires if they are permitted. Make SMALL campfires.
* Only smoke in vehicles or designed campsite & not while hiking.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the most popular weekends to travel in Arizona, but campers are encouraged to use only propane stoves & heaters this summer while they are camping to prevent wildfires from escaped campfires. Remember in Arizona, especially during this drought, fire can burn slowing along dry roots & duff & come from underground in the forest far from a campsite.
STATE PARKS CAMPGROUNDS in Northern Arizona - Call ahead...
Dead Horse Ranch State Park: - (928) 634-5283 - Cottonwood - 150 campsites - fishing, boating, hiking. No campfires, no smoking while hiking.
Fool Hollow Lake State Park: - (928) 537-3680 - 92 hookup sites, 31 campsites, great fishing & swimming. Fire restrictions during windy days. Call ahead regarding campfires.
Lyman Lake State Park: - (928) 337-4441 - 61 campsites & 4 yurts / 4 cabins, fishing, waterskiing. Campfires in cement fire rings & smoking in vehicles. No smoking while hiking.
Homolovi Ruins State Historic Park: - (928) 289-4106 - 53 camp sites, Hopi Ruins, hiking. Campfires/smoking in developed areas only. No hiking while smoking.
Slide Rock State Park: - (928) 282-3034 - natural rock slide in the river, hiking. No smoking except in vehicles. No fires, including charcoal & gas.
Red Rock State Park: - (928) 282-6907- No camping. Lots of hiking opportunities. No smoking while hiking.
STATE PARKS CAMPGROUNDS in Southern Arizona - Call ahead...
Catalina State Park: (520) 628-5798 - 48 campsites, hiking, corrals for horses. Propane only, no smoking while hiking.
Kartchner Caverns State Park: (520) 586-4100 - 62 campsites - cave tours. Propane only. Smoking in camp area or vehicle, no smoking while hiking.
Lost Dutchman State Park: (480) 982-4485 - 70 campsites, hiking into Superstitions. Charcoal & propane fires only, wood campfires not allowed, no smoking while hiking.
Patagonia Lake State Park: (520) 287-6965 - 107 campsites, boats to rent, fishing, beach. Campfires ok in designated grills, smoking in camp areas only, no smoking while hiking.
Picacho Peak State Park: (520) 466-3183 - 85 campsites - fantastic walking trails. No restrictions at this time, no smoking while hiking.
Roper Lake State Park: (928) 428-6760 - 71 campsites - hot tub, fishing. Campfires & smoking restricted to developed areas only, no hiking & smoking.
STATE PARKS CAMPGROUNDS in Western Arizona - Call Ahead...
Alamo Lake State Park: (928) 669-2088 - 250 campsites, excellent bass fishing, waterskiing, swimming. Campfires & smoking in designed areas only.
Buckskin Mountain State Park & River Island: (928) 667-3231 - 126 campsites, water sports, cabanas, beach. Campfires in designated grills, no smoking while hiking.
Cattail Cove State Park: (928) 855-1223 - 61 campsites. No wood fires, charcoal for cooking within a campsite or on a grill on the beach. Smoking - campsites & beach only.
Lake Havasu State Park: (928) 855-2784 - 47 campsites - boat launches, great park areas & swimming beach. Campfires in fire-rings call for details, smoking in camp areas, no hiking while smoking.