"A river, with its waterfalls and meadows, a lake, a hill, a cliff or individual rocks, a forest and ancient trees standing singly. Such things are beautiful; they have a high use which dollars and cents never represent. If the inhabitants of a town were wise, they would seek to preserve these things, though at a considerable expense; for such things educate far more than any hired teachers or preachers, or any at present recognized system of school education." ~Henry David Thoreau
FIELD TRIPS & ACTIVITIES:
Arizona Parks, Monuments, & Historical Sites
A list of Arizona's national and state parks, monuments, recreation areas, historical and archeological points of interest. Many of these parks and recreation areas offer various interpretive programs, nature hikes, and other educational activities.
Agua Fria National Monument (This new monument, formerly BLM land, encloses a small region of the high desert alongside the Agua Fria River between Cordes Junction and Black Canyon City, from I-17 east to the Tonto National Forest. The main purpose is to protect numerous ancient ruins and petroglyphs from the pueblo period of 1250 to 1450 AD, although this area also contains historical sites dating from the resettlement of the region in the nineteenth century and has diverse, flourishing plant and animal habitats.)
Camelback Mtn./Echo Canyon Recreation Area - This 75.8-acre park is a favorite hiking and climbing spot with sheer red cliffs, the Praying Monk rock formation, and the familiar camel's silhouette. Caution: the summit trails are difficult, strenuous climbs for experienced hikers only.
Encanto Park - Encanto Park is a 222-acre oasis just a few blocks from the busy central corridor with picnic areas, a lagoon, paddle boats, canoes, swimming pool, nature trail, Kiddieland/Enchanted Island amusement park, urban fishing, waterfowl, two golf courses, a softball diamond, basketball and tennis courts.
Papago Park - This fabulous park, located on 1,200 acres of rolling desert hills and rugged mountains, features a golf course, archery range, exercise course, softball complex, picnic areas, orienteering course, fishing lagoons (urban fishing license required), hiking trails, Hunt's Tomb, and the Hole-In-The-Rock landmark.
Patriots Square - Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Patriots Square Park features two-and-a-half acres of open space with grass, trees, benches, an outdoor performing arts stage and two food kiosks. The park often is a site for community celebrations.
Phoenix Mountain Preserve - This area boasts dozens of miles of trails that allow you to enjoy the Sonoran Desert in relative solitude even though you're in the middle of the city. Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak), part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, is one of the city's best-known landmarks. The park features a 1.2-mile trail to the peak's 2,608-foot summit, which offers a spectacular view of the Valley of the Sun.
South Mountain Park - South Mountain is the largest municipal park in the world. The 16,500-acre park is home to more than 300 specimens of plant life and a wide variety of fauna, including rabbits, foxes, coyotes, snakes, lizards and birds. The park features picnic areas and ramadas, hiking trails and spectacular lookouts, in addition to the 10,907-square-foot South Mountain Environmental Education Center.
Telephone Pioneers of America Park - The nation's first barrier-free park for physically challenged individuals. It features two beep baseball fields, a therapeutic heated pool, wheelchair accessible playground equipment, handball, volleyball, tennis, basketball and shuffleboard.
Tempe Town Lake - Take a journey to Tempe Town Lake, one of Arizona's most popular outdoor destinations. Click on the photos to find information about a variety of Town Lake subjects including its history, flora and fauna, boating and fishing, parks and playgrounds, special events, and volunteering.
Kiwanis Recreation Center and Park - This multi-purpose facility includes an indoor wave pool with spiral slide, full service snack bar, full size multi-use gymnasium, fifteen lighted tennis courts, outdoor sand volleyball courts, classrooms, and outdoor picnic areas. The center offers numerous activities for the community including instructional classes, sport camps and leagues, birthday parties and much more.