Roper Lake

Roper Lake SP https://azstateparks.com/roper-lake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roper_Lake_State_Park Roper Lake State Park is a state park of Arizona, surrounding 32-acre (130,000 m2) Roper Lake. The park is located off U.S. Route 191, 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Safford, at the Gila River and Valley. The land for the park, formerly a ranch, was purchased by the state in 1972 in order to construct a reservoir. Roper Lake State Park includes a boat ramp, a natural stone hot tub, a beach for swimming, a picnic area, a campground, and cabins. The lake is stocked with bass and trout, and boats are limited to small electric motors. Hiking trails are available, and the park is a place for birdwatching. This scenic park in southeast Arizona is in a beautiful location surrounded by the sky island Pinaleño Mountains range, including Mount Graham. In another part of the park is Dankworth Pond, located about 3 miles (4.8 km) south. This 15-acre (61,000 m2) pond also offers fishing, a picnic area, and hiking trails.

Nearby Parks Cabins Park Rules If you’re having a great time here, don’t forget to visit one of the three nearby state parks! Dankworth Lake State Park (3.4 miles) This 15-acre pond has bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout. This is a quiet little fishing hole where you can throw a line or enjoy picnics and hiking trails. (928) 428-6760 Kartchner Caverns State Park (90 miles) “Arizona’s Best Attraction” as voted by USA Today’s 2017 Reader’s Poll, this hidden jewel features cave formations found nowhere else in the world. Take the Throne Room tour and see the five-story formation Kubla Khan! (520) 586-4100 Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park (107 miles) Located in “the town too tough to die,” this preserved court building houses a collection of historic artifacts and memorabilia from the legendary American Old West. (520) 457-3311 Eight camping cabins are available for reservation. Three overlook the lake, and five have a mountain view. Each cabin has a covered porch, a full-sized bed and either two sets of bunk beds or a set of bunk beds and a twin bed, electricity, lights, heating and air conditioning, and a locking door. Campers supply their own linens or sleeping bags. Restrooms and showers are within walking distance. Cabins sleep up to six people, limit 4 adults. Reserve a camping cabin and start your park adventure at azstateparks.com/cabins. General Rules • Do not litter! Recreate responsibly and pack out what you bring in, or use the trash receptacles provided in the park. • Drive your vehicle only on designated paved surfaces. Park only in designated parking areas. Do not park on the side of the road. • Stay on designated trails. Cutting trails degrades habitat and harms the landscape. • Do not use glass containers in the park. • All of our parks adhere to firearm and hunting regulations. Please familiarize yourself with this information. Fires • Keep fires in grills or designated state parks fire rings. Never leave fires unattended! • Do not gather firewood in the parks. Firewood is for sale in most park stores. • Fireworks are not permitted in state parks. • Be “fire smart” and check fire restrictions at azstateparks.com/fire-safety. Camping • Campsites are limited to up to six adults and up to 10 people total. Cabins are limited to six people total. • There are designated dump facilities at the park for your convenience. Swimming • There is a designated area for swimming. • Please obey all posted signs. Boating • Review boating regulations before heading out on the water. Pets • Keep your pets on a maximum six-foot leash at all times. Pets must be attended at all times. • Pick up after your pet. • For additional information related to pets, visit our website or ask park staff. The rules of this park are not limited to the rules listed above. Additional park rules may be found at azstateparks.com. ROPER LAKE Hiking Trails Five miles of trails in the park let you stretch your muscles and view the wildlife. The Mariah Mesa Trail is a 0.76-mile loop trail traversing the top of the mesa. The rest of the trails in the park are paths that connect the campgrounds and day-use areas together. Group Day-Use Areas 01/25 Established 1957 Roper Lake State Park Enjoy desert scenery, an accessible fishing dock, stunning views of Mount Graham, and birdwatching at Roper Lake State Park. You can fish for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and rainbow trout. It’s a great place for kids to catch their first fish! Roper Lake has a boat ramp, swimming beach, day-use island with picnic tables and grills, camping cabins, and campgrounds. Reservations are available for campsites, camping cabins, group campgrounds, and group ramadas. Boats are limited to small electric motors, creating ideal conditions for a sailboard, kayak, or canoe. Thank you for visiting! 101 E Roper Lake Rd,Safford, AZ 85546 (928) 428-6760 | 1-877-MYPARKS azstateparks.com/roper-lake AZStateParks Like/Follow/Watch us on: 1-877-MYPARKS | azstateparks.com Island Group Ramada: A large group ramada with six picnic tables, BBQ grills, and water spigots (no electricity), all near a grassy area and swimming beach. Maximum group size is 50 people. East Mesa Group Ramada: A large group ramada overlooking the lake with six picnic tables, BBQ grill, water spigots, electric outlets, and nearby restroom building. Maximum group size is 50. West Hill Group Ramada: A large group ramada with six picnic tables, BBQ grill, water spigots, and vault toilets. No electricity. Maximum group size is 50. Access to the lake. Group Camping Site Gila group area campground: 14 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings surrounding a large group ramada with six picnic tables, BBQ grills, and group fire ring. Non-electric area. Water and vault toilets are available with access to restroom and shower building. There is a 10-vehicle minimum to reserve the group area. Longview Ln Roper Lake Rd To Safford 6mi 9km Restroom 9 ! Campground p ! Shower Í ! Dog

$3.95 > COMPLIMENTARY Parks 2022/2023 Museums Trails YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS Night Skies Regional Maps Camping anD More! arizona State ParkS & TRAILS OFFICIAL PARTNERS SO TASTY EVERYONE WILL WANT A BITE. ©2020 Preferred Brands International. All rights reserved. Tasty Bite® has all-natural and organic ready-to-eat meals that are perfect for the trail. Look for the yellow pouch in the international aisle. tastybite.com *Keep wildlife wild; Donʼt feed the animals WELCOME A rizona’s state parks hold endless opportunities for recreation, learning and serenity. From the pine-covered slopes and iconic saguaros to the great rooms of historic buildings, courthouses, forts and more, these special places showcase the Grand Canyon State’s captivating destinations. These parks contribute much more than natural beauty, fresh air and cultural wonder. Arizona State Parks and Trails support thousands of jobs, contribute millions of dollars to our economy, and draw in visitors from all over the world. Enjoy all the outdoor adventures, preservation of historic destinations, conservation of natural resources, and the economic support in rural communities the parks provide. Thank you for joining us in Arizona’s state parks! Douglas A. Ducey Governor of the State of Arizona W elcome to Arizona’s state parks, where memories are waiting to be made, whatever your taste for adventure may be! Whether you’re visiting from out of state or you appreciate Arizona right from your doorstep, there is something for everyone at our beautiful state parks. It’s our greatest pleasure to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources found here in the Grand Canyon State. With more than 65 years dedicated to this mission, Arizona State Parks and Trails ensures that the natural wonders and historic treasures remain for many generations to come. Discover something new and appreciate your favorite places all over again, here in Arizona’s state parks! Bob Broscheid Director, Arizona State Parks & Trails ARIZONA STATE PARKS & TRAILS 1 GEICO.COM/RV • 1-877-434-2678 • LOCAL OFFICE Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. In the state of CA, program provided through Boat Association Insurance Services, license #0H87086. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Customer satisfaction based on an independent study conducted by Alan Newman Research, 2020. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2022 GEICO 21_782312631 CONTENTS American Park Network® publishes Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™, OhRanger.com, and Oh, Ranger!® guides —a collection of visitor guides for public lands all across America­— and operates Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi in parks and public lands. American Park Network is an official partner of the National Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, American Hiking Society and the Student Conservation Association. PRINCIPALS Mark J. Saferstein - Founder & Editor-in-Chief Joel S. Saferstein Alex Frenkel TECHNOLOGY Scott Falconer EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION Editors: Sophie Macomber, Rachael Mamane, Hira Piracha, Amanda Strube, Theo Rossi, Lori Lee, Erika Skogg Photo Editors: Wendy Willis Production Managers: Mario Arce, Walter Jeronimo Lead Designer: Dennisse Cruz Graphic Designers: Michael Cohen, , Alberto Garcia, Alejandro Jeorge, Tatiana Hurtado, Emerson Martinez ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING (212) 581-3380 adsales@americanparknetwork.com Business Development: Randy Burton, Ron Frederick, Pat Keane, Kristi Rummel American Park Network 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10003 @OhRanger FOR MORE INFORMATION Distribution requests distribution@americanparknetwork.com Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ installation/sponsorship wifi@americanparknetwork.com ARIZONA STATE PARKS & TRAILS Welcome 1 Planyourvisit 4 important contacts 8 Preservation 10 history& culture 14 things to do 16 off-highwayvehicles 17 watchable wildlife 22 birdwatching 23 Camping 24 Centerfold Map water & heritage corridor 28 sedona/verde loop 36 CoPper corridor 44 cultural corridor 50 high countryloop 56 Just for kids 62 Gear upand Get ouT 63 roadtrip ideas 64 Sincere thanks to everyone at Arizona State Parks & Trails for their collaboration. Special appreciation to Game & Fish and the Arizona Office of Tourism. Cover: Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park All other photos are courtesy of Arizona State Parks & Trails unless otherwise indicated. ARIZONA STATE PARKS & TRAILS 3 PLAN YOUR VISIT T he beauty of Arizona is unparalleled in its diversity of landscapes. There’s so much to see and do in the state. Whether you have a day or several weeks, Arizona’s state parks