Camp in the Mountains

· Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, in the cool pines of northeastern Arizona near Show Low, is absolutely state of the art. Private restrooms and showers, separate hook-up and tent areas, a children's play area, and plenty of pine trees make this a camper's paradise. The lake, and all of its wildlife, is a bonus to the natural beauty of the area.

· Dead Horse Ranch State Park, is in the heart of Arizona near Cottonwood. This unique recreation area mixes pine trees with giant cottonwoods. The night sky is exceptional and on occasion an evening program provides a telescope for even closer encounters. Hike the trails to the river, to the pond or even to a historic kiln. The campground has plenty of shade, grills and hot showers and hook-ups for those who want them.

· Kartchner Caverns State Park, 49 miles south of Tucson, provides for and ideal camping environment. Shaded ramadas, an outdoor dining area, restrooms, showers, electric hook-ups, water, dump station, and hiking and walking trails are available to visitors who are planning an experience in the outdoors.

Saguaro Deserts

· Catalina State Park, just north of Tucson, is in the Coronado National Forest. What begins as a forest of saguaros eventually turns into a forest of pines at the top of the Santa Catalina Mountains. A multitude of hiking and horseback riding trails can take you there. Mesquite and Palo Verde trees shade the campsites and the evening serenades of wildlife provides the best of concerts. Hot showers and hook-ups are there if you want them.

· Lost Dutchman State Park, just east of Phoenix on the Apache Trail, has the kind of knock-your-socks-off views you can't even capture on film, though many have tried. The campground is at the base of the Superstition Wilderness on the edge of the Tonto National Forest. Desert beauty started here. No hook-ups yet, but the showers should be in soon. Group use areas have seen many a wedding and the picnic areas offer great birding. At night you can sit on the mountain and watch the glittering lights of Phoenix or turn your back on civilization and catch the shadows of the "Thunder Gods" atop the Superstitions.

· Picacho Peak State Park, about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, this desert park will help you start each day with a smile on your lips and a song in your heart. Or, a mumbling under you breath as you struggle up one of the most challenging trails in the state. Fortunately the campgrounds are at the base of the peak and let you just look up if you don't want to get up the 1,500 foot peak. A few hook-ups are available but there are plenty of developed sites for you to enjoy the saguaros and wildflowers. Mornings let you gaze at the butterflies and hummingbirds. When evening falls you can watch the mountain lay down its shadows.

By the Water

· Alamo Lake State Park, 2 hours northwest of Phoenix, is an oasis in the desert. It's a 30 mile trip from the main highway so camping under the stars offers an incredible light show. The eagles nest here, the burros bay here and waves lap against the shore. The showers are hot and electric hook-ups are there if you want them. The view of the lake and surrounding wilderness areas just keep going and going.

· Buckskin Mountain State Park, north of Parker in western Arizona, is a family fun spot going back for generations. It's on the water, has volleyball and basketball courts, a grassy playground, shaded picnic areas, a beach, a restaurant, a game room, jet ski rental and marina and miles of trails into the beautiful Sonoran desert. Campsites hug the shore in the form of cabanas and nestle the base of the mountain for hook-up or tenting. Just a mile away a second unit, River Island State Park, sits back on a cove of the Colorado River for a quieter respite into nature.

· Cattail Cove State Park, just south of Lake Havasu City in western Arizona, this is a park of variety. Next door at Sandpoint Marina you can rent a camping trailer for the week, or stay in the campground at Cattail and enjoy the simple life with a beach, hot showers and hook-ups if you want them. If you seek an adventure of simple solitude, boat out to one of the many shoreline boat-access-only campsites on Lake Havasu.

· Lake Havasu State Park, on Arizona's "west coast," is a natural water park complete with developed campsites, beach, trails and plenty of amenities. It's also Arizona's hot spot for summertime fun so be prepared for getting there early.

· Lyman Lake State Park, in northeastern Arizona south of St. Johns, sits in the rolling hills in Arizona's high plains. The Little Colorado River feeds the lake and the wildlife for year-round beauty. Many of the campsites have ramadas and hook-ups with a view of the lake. The showers are there and so are the picnic ramadas and trails. The camp store has row boats and paddle boats available for an evening cruise around the lake. When you add the night sky it becomes the perfect place to play.

· Patagonia Lake State Park, east of Nogales in southern Arizona, will make you wonder if you've come to the end of the rainbow. At sunset blue herons and brown pelicans hang out on the beach and white tail deer stroll down from the hills. It can be cool and quiet or hot and jumpin', depending on the season. The marina has row boats available and there are even a few camp sites accessible only by boat. Pick from hook-up or developed sites and enjoy the hot showers. Summertime is more than a little busy so get there early.

· Roper Lake State Park, in eastern Arizona near Safford, lets you kick back and enjoy or get your work out in with a dip in the lake or a hike up the hill. If you opt for the work out the natural hot springs tub will beckon you. The campgrounds ring the lake and the picnic island is full of green shady sites. Hot showers and hook-ups are there if you want them. A second unit nearby, Dankworth Ponds, offers picnicking, fishing, and a great educational trail through a reconstructed Indian village. Plan a visit in town to Discovery Park. This high tech wonder park comes complete with giant telescope for some really awesome star gazing.

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