The Best Years Camping Arizona

Let's give thanks for another great year of adventures and friends with a Friendsgiving celebration at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. A group reservation is confirmed!

Located in the northeast region of Phoenix, the McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers more than 50 miles of trails for all levels of difficulty. Mountain bikes, horses, and hikers can see desert wildlife up-close and view the Phoenix/Scottsdale skyline or mountain ranges to the north.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is the only place in the United States to see large stands of organ pipe cacti, though their range extends far south into Mexico. In this desert wilderness, you may drive a lonely road, hike a backcountry trail, camp beneath a clear desert sky, marvel at magnificent cacti, or soak in the warmth and beauty of the Southwest. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert.

The night sky is a treasure all its own. There is little light pollution in the Monument and it’s a perfect place to set up a telescope. Even a pair of binoculars can reveal the magic of the universe.

Lots of hiking!! https://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Please note: only 3 very short hikes are pet-friendly.

Twin Peaks Campground reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/270816

Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona is Patagonia Lake State Park. This park is an ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming the hills and great blue herons walking the shoreline. The campground overlooks a 265-acre man-made lake where anglers catch crappie, bass, bluegill, and catfish. Trout is stocked every three weeks from October through March. Hikers can stroll along the beautiful creek trail and see a variety of birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds.

https://azstateparks.com/reserve/

This park is a tough call for weather, sometimes too hot, sometimes too cold but let's go for it! Also, rented a party boat for four hours on Tuesday!!

Return to Lee's Ferry to Kayak the Colorado! A return trip to Lees Ferry Campground to enjoy the beautiful Colorado River, beach, and nearby attractions such as the Navajo Bridge with possible condor watching, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon.

We plan to rent kayaks that will take us upriver to easily paddle downstream in the cool waters of the Colorado River, which offers stunning ancient rock walls that rise to form the majestic Marble Canyon, a prelude to what will give way to the Grand Canyon downstream.

Camping: Lees Ferry Campground is first-come, first-served. There is also lodging nearby if you would like to glamp camp.

Kayaks: Our trip is on Friday, April 25

Reservations are REQUIRED; however, they are not available yet. Just mark your calendar for now! (11/10/24)

1. Choose the kayak you prefer - we had inflatables last year and they were great! The following is available: fast hardshell kayaks, stable inflatables, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and sit on top kayaks.

2. Choose Friday, April 25 - as of 11/10 I'm double-checking the time

3. Be sure to also schedule a Backhaul Taxi

4. The group will start about half-way upriver. If you want to start at Glen Canyon Dam and go around Horseshoe Bend (15 miles) please do so however many of the group are doing the shorter (10 miles) journey.