Arizona State Parks
Relive the legend of the west when reenactment groups ride into Yuma Prison for two days of wild west fun & mayhem. A two day skit competition event at the Yuma Territorial Prison, the only place tough enough to handle these wild and wooly gunfighters, outlaws and varmits: with skits, vittles, libations and vendors.
Visit a stunning limestone cavern system in Southeastern Arizona. This must-see attraction was discovered in 1974 by two amateur cavers.
From December 13 to January 3, 2009 come see Fort Verde State Historic Park decorated for a Victorian Christmas
Sonoita Creek is a varied environment with a rich history of settlement. Join us for a 3 mile, 3 hour hike: bring water, snack and wear sturdy shoes.
Guest presenter Bob Wright as Arizona mountain man Bill Williams. Visit him and have a cup of mountain man coffee as he tells you his stories.
Enjoy 6 different virtual panoramic scenes of Oracle State Park, located 40 miles NE of Tucson. Java is required.
Camping Cabins offer a unique way to experience select Arizona State Parks.
Event Calendar
December 2008
December, All Month - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Art Gallery Exhibits
Daily during December from 6 am – 3 pm in the Visitor Center Art Gallery painter Paul Kinslow is our featured artist. To read more see gallery exhibit photos, visit the expanded website.
December 13 to January 3, 2009 - Fort Verde State Historic Park
Victorian Christmas
Living history presentations, weapons demonstrations and portrayal of life on the frontier as it was in the late 1870s festively decorated for the holidays.
This a unique time to see the park and an enjoyable family activity. (928) 567-3275.
December 19 & 20, 2009 - Fort Verde State Historic Park
Candlelight Tours of the Fort
Celebrate the holidays with a unique candlelight tour of Fort Verde. Stop by from 6 to 8 pm to enjoy a tour, caroling, cider and cookies, plus re-enactors in period clothing. A festive event.
December 20 & 21 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Mata Ortiz, Mexican Pottery at the Park
9 am to 2 pm. Want to avoid those crowds and still have a chance for unique holiday season shopping? Visitors are invited to meet talented ceramic artists from the village of Mata Ortiz, Mexico on Dec. 20-21 when they will be at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park displaying and selling their hand-made pottery. They will also demonstrate traditional wood-firings for visitors to observe at 11 am and 1 pm, showcasing the pottery finishing technique which has been perfected by generations of Mata Ortiz artists. Intricate, artistic pots will be available for purchase from 9 am to 2 pm daily, and a portion of sales benefit the Arboretum. Come see some of the newest works and styles of Mata Ortiz ceramic art! For other info call park staff daytimes at (520) 689-2723. More information about desert plants can be found at the expanded website.
December 20 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Plants-of-the-Bible Guided Tour
Starts at 1:30 pm. On this guided walking tour Mesa resident and Bible scholar David Oberpriller points out palms, figs, olives, pomegranates and other plants of the bible and shares his knowledge about botany, history and scripture. This easy two-hour tour proceeds slowly along wheelchair-and-walker-accessible paths. To read more about the tour visit the expanded website.
December 21 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Trees of Arizona (new guided tour)
From 1:30 – 3:30 pm. “What’s an Arboretum?” Learn the answer to that often-posed question on our new autumn tour through the forested areas of the Arboretum where you’ll learn about the towering sycamore and cottonwood trees, native hackberry, mesquite and many more.
December 28 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Edible/Medicinal Desert Plants Walk
At 1:30 pm. Sonoran Desert plants have nourished, healed and clothed desert residents for thousands of years. Walk the Curandero Trail and learn more from Jean Groen, author of Foods of the Superstitions. David Morris, ethno-botanist and Choctaw Nation member, alternates as leader for this tour. Visit our website “events” page for specific dates, and please note that our Curandero Trail is moderately steep in sections and is not wheelchair accessible. More information about desert plants can be found at the expanded website.
January 2009
January 4 - Red Rock State Park
A Gallop through the Art History of Arizona
2 pm. Betsy Fahlman, Professor of Art History at ASU, will explore issues of state identity against the backdrop of the larger history of the art of the American West. Material relating to tourism, movies, pulp magazines and literature will enrich this discussion. Reservations recommended, seating limited. Sponsored by Arizona Humanities Council and Benefactors of Red Rock State Park. In the park theater. (928) 282-6907
January 5 - Buckskin Mountain State Park
Western Deserts AV Program
7 pm at Sundown at River Island’s Amphitheater. Come to the amphitheater at River Island where Ranger Wayne will show you a beautiful program on Western deserts.
January 6 - Lake Havasu State Park
Arizona Living History Series: The Working Cowboy
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Famous guest presenter Bob Wright will do his program as the working cowboy. Come and visit him and have a cup of cowboy coffee as he tells you his stories. Remember to bring a chair to sit by the fire.
January 7 - Lake Havasu State Park
A Year in the Desert
10 am in the Community Room A&B at the Mohave County Public Library: 1770 N. McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City. Ranger Kate presents a scenic look at the stunning changes the desert goes through in the course of the year.
January 7 - Buckskin Mountain State Park
Venomous Creatures
2 pm at the Interpretive Center. Come join Liz Enriquez, Interpretive Education Coordinator, for a talk about all you need to know on the things that bite and sting and those that don’t, but we think they do.
January 8 - Lake Havasu State Park
Coffee with a Ranger
8 am at the Amphitheater. Enjoy a cup of coffee with a ranger around a warm fire and find out more about Arizona State Parks. Rangers can let you know about the parks, their local areas and fascinating points of interests along the way. Wildlife that you may see at the parks and tips on how to best enjoy your stay as well as answer any questions you may have. Weather permitting.
January 8 - Cattail Cove State Park
History of the River
7 pm at the Amphitheater. Learn about the river’s unique and diverse history with Jim McReynolds as he talks about the history of the Colorado River.
January 9 - Buckskin Mountain State Park
Nature Hike
10 am at the Ranger Station. Join your guide for a moderately challenging 2½ mile trek into the beautiful backcountry on the Buckskin Trail. Hike lasts about 2 hours and departs from the Buckskin Ranger Station.
January 9 - Sonoita Creek State Natural Area
Nature and History Hike
The area is a varied environment with a rich history of settlement and international events. Three miles, three hours, bring water, snack and wear sturdy shoes. (520) 287-2791
January 10 - Buckskin Mountain State Park
Campfires Are A Camping Classic
7 pm at the group campfire ring. Gather round a roaring fire and roast a marshmallow or two. We will ignite the blaze and you’re welcome to add your musical talent and storytelling to the mix. Bring your chair and flashlight to the campfire ring.
January 10th & 11th, 2009 - Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
11th Annual Gathering of the Gunfighters
Outlaws, Lawmen, Cowboys, Saloon Gals, Townsfolk and a cornucopia of disreputable characters converge on the 11th Annual Gathering of the Gunfighters. Relive the legend of the west when old west reenactment groups from California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona ride into Yuma Prison for two days of wild west fun and mayhem. When the gunsmoke clears, only one gang will be left standing as the best of the west. A two day skit competition event at the Yuma Territorial Prison, the only place tough enough to handle these wild and wooly gunfighters, outlaws and varmits.
Related Videos
| No Video Found |