Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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PHOENIX - Though conditions remain very dry and several major wildfires continue to burn in our state, some lakes remain open and many have been stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department with trout or catfish for anglers to enjoy this weekend. Lakes that are currently accessible are: Show Low as well as Show Low Creek in the Pinetop/Show Low area Goldwater, Lynx, Granite Basin, Watson and Fain lakes in the Prescott area Mormon Lodge Pond south of Flagstaff and Frances Short Pond in... Full story
Hopefully you had a chance to enjoy a high-country camping or lake trip this summer to escape the record-breaking heat we experienced across the state! School is back in session and families are getting back into their routines, and most Arizonans are looking forward to cooler temps and fall weather. Try not to let your adventurous spirit get lost in the fray of your busy life this year. Remember to get outside this fall to remain connected with nature and enjoy the array of physical and mental... Full story
Recently, small brush fires have started popping up around the valley. In late June, a five-acre brush fire exploded into a 2,500-acre wildfire in a matter of hours. This wildfire, now known as the Diamond Fire, borders McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which is managed by Maricopa County. " ... working closely with Scottsdale Fire Department, we evacuated and closed McDowell Mountain Regional Park to protect visitors and staff," said Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, who represents... Full story
Downstream is a list of upcoming events. Examples of the many outdoor activities available to us in Arizona. NOW — Nature Walk: Daily at 10 a.m., a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk and informs visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on the walk include: plants, wildlife, geology, history and archaeology. The walk is a learning experience allowing participants to take part in question and answer sessions. The cost is Red Rock State P... 
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Not surprising that if you "know" the navigation rules on the waterway upon which you're boating, it's easy to spot those that don't. In fact, many boaters don't even know they exist, let alone what they are and that we are all legally responsible to know and understand them. Part of the reason there's confusion is that unless you've completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety education course or you've "heard" about the NAV Rules somewhe... Full story
Great Outdoors Month helps remind us all of the physical and mental benefits of outdoor recreation and to inspire your interactions with Mother Nature. Seek adventure and you'll be rewarded with the positive effects of a connection with the natural world. Don't put adventure on hold as summer settles in! You'll find plenty of unforgettable outdoor experiences available throughout Arizona in spite of increasing temps. Cool off in the water at any of our lake or river parks, tour an... Full story
No, a lot country this September out at Lake Pleasant. Peoria Country Fest will feature everything from bull riding (the real deal) to rockin' music from four popular country bands: Justin Hitson & Southbound, Billy Shaw Jr Band, Ryan Bexley and Josh Roy. Grab your cowboy boots, bring the kids and celebrate your western heritage at this festive event. Camping might be just the ticket to round out the weekend; all the facilities are there at Lake Pleasant. And, speaking of camping, Maricopa... Full story
Watch California Condors Take Their First Flights In The Wild This will happen during the 27th annual public condor release - in-person and live-streamed! VERMILION CLIFFS, Ariz. - The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24 by releasing captive-bred California Condors at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time) to take their first flights in the wild. The event... Full story
The new system will support millions of park visitors with updated features to easily manage campground, cabin, tour and event reservations. Arizona State Parks and Trails had updated its reservation system to support the needs of nearly three million visitors annually. The new system was in place at the end of July, and all existing reservations will be automatically transferred. Updated features will include the ability to modify or cancel existing reservations online as well as select... Full story
Wild Arizona: 200 Captive Desert Tortoises Need Forever Homes For some, a dog or cat will do just fine. But for others who are considering adopting something truly unique to Arizona, say hello to your next family member: "Many people don't even consider opening up their homes to desert tortoises, but they make fantastic and personable pets," said Tegan Wolf, desert tortoise adoption program coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). "It's rewarding to hear stories from those... Full story
Opening day is Thursday, Sept. 1 Arizona’s dove hunters should have no complaints when the 2022 season opens Sept. 1. All signs indicate that there will be birds aplenty, particularly for those hunters who are willing to scout in the mornings and evenings between now and the opener to locate some good hunting spots. Once again, the greatest number of doves — and dove hunters — will be concentrated in the state’s agricultural areas, particularly those that produce small-grain crops like wheat,... Full story
The focus is on boating-centric inland lakes with distinction. There are 123,439 freshwater lakes – those water bodies generally larger than 20 acres – in the continental United States. Which ones may be best for recreational boating? BoatUS Magazine senior editor Rich Armstrong and contributing editor Fiona McGlynn consider the question in the magazine's February/March issue with the feature "Freshwater America," which highlights nine boating-centric lakes from New York to Washington. "Am... Full story
Here are some suggestions for kayak and canoe safety and equipment. AZGFD Paddlesports Training Course Is First The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) was recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for offering the nation's first paddle-sports class that meets the national standard for "On-Water Recreational Boating Skills – Human Propelled." AZGFD's "Paddlesports Arizona" course teaches fundamental paddlecraft skills that entry-level recreational boaters should be able... Full story
It has been decided that we will be hosting an Outdoor Expo April 2-3, 2022. Event times have changed to 9am - 4pm on Saturday and 9am - 3pm on Sunday.Due to some scheduling conflicts along with COVID precautions, the Expo will have a slightly different look and feel this year. A good majority of the event will take place on the Southside of the road (traditionally known as Area 3 - Outdoor Recreation / Shotgun Area), with the exception of Firearms Manufacturers and/or trailer space for those... Full story
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) by taking the public survey conducted by Arizona State Parks and Trails. The SCORP serves as a guide for public outdoor recreation in urban and rural neighborhoods, cities and regions. Each state is tasked with identifying outdoor recreation issues of statewide importance once every five years to be eligible for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) dollars. The results... Full story
New law gives veterans and Gold Star Families free lifetime access to America's national parks. A new law is giving current military and their dependents, veterans and Gold Star Families free lifetime access to national parks and federal recreational lands. The Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act was rolled into the National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law December 28, 2021 . "When you take your oath, if you go into the service, to protect and defend the... Full story
The Arizona-Utah California Condor conservation effort is a partnership of federal, state and private entities, including The Peregrine Fund, Bureau of Land Management in Utah, Bureau of Land Management's Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand Canyon and Zion national parks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Kaibab and Dixie national forests, among other supporting groups and individuals. This is the 26th year that the... Full story
Results from monitoring work this spring suggest that Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats, may be present in samples collected from multiple species in five counties across California and northwestern Arizona. The analytical results for these samples are considered "inconclusive" based on established national standards for the disease, which means they do not provide definitive evidence of the fungus being present in those bat populations.... Full story
Camping is awesome, especially if you know some basics. Choosing a great spot and setting up a camp site is something I've been doing for decades. Of course, when I first started camping, my dad did most of the choosing, but we all helped set up the camp. Where and how we camp still depends a lot on the purpose of the trip. In other words, are we hunting, fishing, hiking, or just exploring and camping? How elaborate our camp becomes is largely dependent on the answer to that question, but the... Full story
Holbrook, Ariz. – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 384,000 visitors to Petrified Forest National Park in 2020 spent $25.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 328 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $68.6 million. "Petrified Forest National Park values its gateway community of Holbrook, Ariz. and the visitor friendly businesses that play such an important role in the overall experience of visiting the park" s... Full story
Compiled By Doug Burt AZGFD Hunting/Shooting Sports Manager Are you interested in going hunting, but not sure where to start? Look no further. The Arizona Game and Fish Department along with an extensive network of partnering organizations host dozens of learn how to hunt, fish, shoot, trap and other outdoor skill development events throughout the year. Most of these events offer mentoring (not guides), hands-on activities, seminars, a hot meal and campfires for sharing your story. Event types... Full story
Tourism officials cite pent-up demand for lakeview house and boat rentals, campsites and wedding venues. The long dark year under COVID-19 restrictions is starting to brighten. Travelers once forced to entertain themselves at home are now feeling emboldened by vaccinations and are ready to venture out to their next destination. According to HuffPost (April 6), so-called "revenge travel" is in vogue – millions of Americans tired of being cooped up at home are retaliating against COVID-19 by c... Full story
We salute spring in the Southwest, one of the best times of the year to get out and enjoy the wildflowers, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, bird watching, etc. The "venue menu" is endless - literally a buffet of welcoming outdoor activities, many available very close to home. With thanks to Arizona State Parks and Tempe Tourism, we've included their suggestions for and descriptions of both local and statewide destinations that are particularly suited to excellent hiking opportunities. And,... Full story
'Pick a trail and lace up your shoes.' From Arizona State Parks And Trails Attention Arizona hikers! If you're looking for a great way to get outdoors any time of year with friends or the family, here are some insider tips about the best hiking trails in Arizona's state parks. Explore these diverse options throughout this amazingly beautiful state, and cross these hikes off your bucket list! From Arizona's hiking trails you will come across a variety of amazing sights and experiences that range... Full story
That's the start of an old rhyme that you probably heard as a kid. However, here in the Southwest we know this and are looking forward to some of the highlights of this special season. My husband and I attended an Arizona Game & Fish Department Zoom meeting recently and were amazed and delighted with statistics that show more and more people embracing the outdoors: For example, fishing and boating participation have increased tremendously. If there is a positive side to the pandemic, this may... Full story
