Arizona Outdoor Fun

New Year, New Adventures...Unleash Your Outdoor Spirit in 2024!

Arizona’s state parks offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities amid the Grand Canyon State’s most unique and beautiful settings! If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you have an interest in outdoor things. Maybe you’re an avid hiker looking for a new outdoor passion or perhaps you’re intrigued about outdoor adventure and need a good place to start your research. Either way, you’ll find some fun suggestions right here if you’re looking for a deeper connection with Mother Nature. Who knows…your new outdoor passion may be listed below! 

Birding

Birding in southern Arizona at Patagonia Lake State Park

What is birding? Take equal parts adventure, love of wildlife, and appreciation of the outdoors and you get one of the fastest-growing hobbies in the outdoors! Birding gives participants a chance to get outside, exercise, and gain a deeper understanding of the robust and diverse bird species that call Arizona home. Our Birds of Arizona online resource gives you all the info you need to get started, or you can listen to our podcast with expert birder and Author of Birds of Arizona, Richard C. Taylor. Want to dive into birding with the help of a guide? Join us for an upcoming bird walk at one of the parks. If you like hiking and think birds are cool (they’re super cool), hit the trail and see what you can find in the parks!

Birding in Arizona

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing for rainbow trout in Arizona's state park waters

Fly fishing for rainbow trout is one of the most relaxing and gratifying ways to catch this beautiful and delicious cold-water species. Whether or not you’ve experienced success by fishing with more traditional tackle, fly fishing is an easy (subjective) and relatively inexpensive undertaking. You’ll pay with patience as you master your newfound craft on the path to gratification. There’s nothing in this world like watching an actively feeding rainbow abruptly break the water's surface and engulf your elk hair caddis (type of fly) before sending a jolt of lightning excitement through the line, down the pole, and into your lifetime memories. You’ll never forget the feeling and chances are you will seek it out as often as possible on your quest to fly fishing mastery!

Trout Fishing in Arizona

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking at Picacho Peak State Park

Adrenaline surging, wind against your face, and the spirit of adventure guiding you through the desert. Mountain biking can be as relaxing or exciting as you want it to be--it just depends on the trail and your frame of mind! Peddling uphill is one of the best cardio workouts there is and the constant work involved will build muscles, stamina, and confidence! Or, if you’re like many mountain bikers, you’re just out there for the adventure and to experience the outdoor beauty a little differently than you have before! Borrow a bike, rent one, or pick one up for cheap one online, and hit the trail…Then get to a nearby mountain bike trail and pedal your way to a new and exciting adventure!

Mountain Biking in Arizona

Kayaking

Kayaking on the Verde River in northern Arizona

This is another one of those activities that you can take as extreme or laid back as you like. Do what suits your style in 2024 and try out this fun way to experience Arizona’s beauty while getting a little exercise. Gliding almost silently across the water will allow you to see more birds and wildlife in their natural, uninterrupted state, which creates amazing up close and personal encounters. Rising in popularity, kayak fishing will give you access to fish that rarely see bait or lure, especially along the cattails that line several of our park’s lakes. Or, just get out there and let your mind wander paddling around aimlessly while appreciating beautiful things. Besides, who said there needs to be a point to your kayak adventure anyway? Hop in a kayak and start paddling...the lifetime memories will write themselves.

Kayaking in Arizona

Touring Arizona's History

Tour Arizona's past at state historic parks, like the 1882 Victorian-style Tombstone Courthouse.

Mix in a little education with your recreation this new year! Get an intimate look into Arizona's robust history on a tour of Arizona's state historic parks. Learn about copper mining, ranching, the railroad, and law in Arizona's territorial days. Or turn the pages of time back before statehood to learn about the Spanish presidios and civil and Indian war periods. Complete the story of the people and places who molded Arizona by visiting our museums and protected cultural sites to learn about Native American history, and see petroglyphs, potsherds, and pueblo ruins as well as modern-day pottery and art. Keep youngsters engaged on your historical tour by participating in the Junior Ranger program, where fun activities help children understand Arizona’s rich history and cultures of the past and earn a Junior Ranger badge in the process!

Touring Arizona's History

Final Thoughts

Try any (or all) of the above activities in Arizona’s state parks and unleash your outdoor spirit in 2024! Let the excitement of any of these outdoor adventures guide your thoughts and future memories as we navigate the new year. There’s way more to Arizona's parks than camping and hiking, although we think those are awesome too! Diverse forms of outdoor recreation help you get more out of each outdoor experience while strengthening your bond with Mother Nature. Learning helps us create new memories, grow our skill sets, connect with others, and might even uncover a new favorite pastime. They say “Time flies when you’re having fun.” That’s the only problem we can find in trying a new-to-you outdoor hobby: you just might need to book a campsite or cabin and stay for a while to get it all in!  

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