Arizona has some of the nation’s most incredible state parks, with varied landscapes and hundreds of historic and geological points of interest. If you’re interested in exploring the state, start with our favorite destinations within a short drive of Flagstaff, AZ.
1. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Step back in time with a visit to this 54-acre estate, built in 1904 in the Arts and Crafts architecture style as a residence for two Riordan families. Located on state park land, the mansion has more than 13,000 square feet of living space divided into 40 separate rooms.
This state park is located right in Flagstaff at 409 W Riordan Rd. You can visit the historic mansion and the grounds seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park admission costs $2 (free for kids under 6). To go inside the museum, you need to take a guided tour, available every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Slide Rock State Park
You can get to this state park south of Flagstaff in less than an hour. Once you arrive, you can fish and swim in Oak Creek on this former apple orchard homestead, which has been an Arizona state park since 1987. Sedona’s Slide Rock State Park is best known for its iconic red rocks, which form a natural 80-foot-long water slide into the creek. Just make sure to feel the water first, since it could be ice-cold from late fall through early spring.
Slide Rock State Park is open for swimming from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. most of the year. The entrance fee is $20 per car of up to four adults from Monday through Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday, although the cost goes down after Labor Day. Slide Rock State Park is located at 6871 N Highway 89A.
3. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
This state park in Cottonwood is just over an hour’s drive from Flagstaff. Dead Horse Ranch State Park features miles of trails through Coconino National Forest and camping cabins where you can spend the night right next to the river. You can also reserve RV and tent camping sites. The park has a guided hike every Sunday at 8 a.m., so sign up in advance to learn more about the local area from a seasoned expert.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is open for day use every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The admission fee is $7 for a car of up to four adults, or $3 for a single motorist or cyclist. It’s located at 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd.
Planning a trip to a park this year? Get ready to hit the road by scheduling a service visit at any of our Flagstaff, AZ dealerships. Our team at Genesis of Flagstaff will help you get your vehicle road trip ready as conveniently as possible.
If you want a rugged vehicle without sacrificing luxury, consider the Genesis GV80. It’s perfect for camping with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Experience it in person today at Genesis of Flagstaff.
Image via Pixabay
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