ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov

Holiday Gift for Families Arizona State Parks Annual Pass

(Phoenix, Arizona - December 2, 2009) - For families looking for the perfect gift, why not get them an Annual Pass for Arizona's State Parks? It's an economical idea that gives families opportunities for memories that will last a lifetime. Many State Parks are just hours from urban areas and offer diverse and fascinating ecosystems for recreating. The history of Arizona is told in stories of the lives of many settlers who came here to find their fortunes before Arizona was a state.

To enhance park experiences, many visitors sign up as volunteers and assist in projects at their favorite park. Projects could be light trail maintenance, landscape projects, picking up litter, or doing citizen scientist projects. This is the year to make a resolution to get out into the countryside for 2010. If you plan ahead for your weekends you can get trail maps for your hikes, book ramadas for family reunions or rent a camping yurt. Use your social networking tools like Facebook to plan get-togethers on weekends, share pictures, watch birds, swim, fish, or compete to get the best pictures and then blog about memories. The Arizona State Parks Annual Pass is the perfect solution for your entire clan and it is still only $50 this year.

Go to the State Parks website for gift-giving ideas and at the same time show your support for your State Parks system by finding the perfect ornament or nature-oriented gift. There are many things to choose from on the site including; Arizona State Trails guides featuring 550 hiking trail maps, nature books, clothing and hats.

The Standard Day-Use Annual Pass (Cost: $50) allows day entrance for up to four adults. It includes all the Parks except the Colorado River Parks on weekends and holidays. A Premium Annual Day-Use Pass will still be $125 if purchased up through February 2009 and is good for weekends in the Colorado River Parks.

At Kartchner Caverns State Park, the Annual Pass allows everyone to experience the Discovery Center, picnicking and trails but not for the cave tours. Kartchner Caverns State Park offers gift certificates for cave tours, another $20 gift idea for holiday gift exchanges.

Mother Nature's gifts you find in the parks include fields of Mexican poppies, bald eagles at Fool Hollow Lake or spectacular views from the top of Picacho Peak. Visitors can camp, fish, hike, stargaze, horseback ride, and see historic reenactments. Gift recipients can swim and fish at Patagonia Lake, water ski at Lake Havasu or Lyman Lake and celebrate Earth Day at Catalina State Park. Dead Horse Ranch State Park provides adventures and learning opportunities during the annual "Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival" and "Verde River Days" events.

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park rustles up family fun in mid-January during the "Gathering of the Gunfighters." In February, Yuma Quartermaster Depot and Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Parks team up with the town of Yuma to celebrate "Yuma Crossing Day." In March Picacho Peak State Park holds a weekend long "Civil War in the Southwest" reenactment program. The influence of the U.S. Army on the settling of Arizona is remembered during Camp Verde's annual "Fort Verde Days." Arizona State Historic Parks offer living history programs, events, exhibits, and special activities in conjunction with their local rural communities.

Whether you are looking forward to learning more about Arizona's culture and history, or enjoying the changing seasons, giving an Annual Pass to Arizona State Parks is a holiday gift that is good for 364 days. You can order Annual passes by mail or purchase one at any of the State Parks.

For more information about the 27 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.

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