Metropolitan Phoenix
| Dreamy Draw Recreation Area 421 E. Northern Ave. 602-262-7901 | Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Parkway 602-273-1341 Named “One of the Top Five Best Zoos for Families and Kids,” by Child magazine, the Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,200 animals. Check out the Monkey Village, a 10,000 square foot exhibit. The zoo also houses 200 endangered or threatened species. |
| Echo Canyon Recreation Area McDonald Drive & Tatum 602-256-3220 Camelback Mountain and miles of hiking trails are located here. | South Mountain Park & Preserve 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix 602-495-0222 Encompassing over 16,000 acres of plant and wild life, this is America’s largest municipal park. |
| Papago Park Van Buren & Galvin Parkway 602-256-3220 Geological rock towers are located above 1,200 acres of hills, mountains, hiking, museums and golf. | Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens 1201 N. Galvin Parkway 480-941-8134 Adjacent to the zoo, “The Garden” features one of the largest desert plant collections in the world. |
Northeast Valley
| Cave Creek Recreation Area 7019 N. Lava Lane, Cave Creek 623-465-0431 | McDowell Mountain Park 15612 E. Palisades Dr., Fountain Hills 480-471-0173 |
East Valley
| Mesa Community College Rose Garden 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa 480-461-7000 The best rose garden in Arizona. | Usery Mountain Regional Park 3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa 480-084-0032 |
West Valley
| Boyce Thompson Arboretum 37615 U.S. Hwy 60, Superior 520-689-2811 Arizona’s largest and oldest botanical garden. | White Tank Regional Park 13025 N. White Tank Mtn Rd., Waddell 623-935-2505 Maricopa County’s largest park stretches 30,000 acres. |
| Estrella Mountain Regional Park 14805 W. Vineyard Ave., Goodyear 623-932-3811 |
For more information on local parks and recreation, contact: www.phoenix.gov/parks.
National Parks
For more information on national parks and monuments located in Arizona such as the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Park, visit the National Park Service web site at: www.nps.gov.
