Arizona - Catalina State Park

If you’re looking for outdoor fun and adventure in Arizona, then Catalina State Park may be one of the most rare and lesser known attractions for you to enjoy. This article gives a detailed summary of the many features and attractions of this park. By reading further, you’ll discover most of the major activities and attractions to know if this park is right for you.

Overview

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

Located near Superior, Arizona (an hour east of Phoenix and 90 minutes north of Tucson) the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park offers a chance for all ages to enjoy a day outdoors exploring unique desert plants from all over the world.

The natural beauty of the Arboretum changes with the seasons. In spring the flowers are in bloom, but fall offers the jewel-tone colors of the Chinese Pistachio leaves. Enjoy hummingbirds, dragonflies, butterflies and lizards in summer. Come bird watching in winter when many migrating birds visit the Arboretum. The cacti bloom almost year round, with only a brief break November to January.

Alaska - Thumb Cove State Marine Park

Thumb Cove State Marine Park is located on the east side of Resurrection Bay, approximately 9 miles south of Seward, Alaska. Tucked back into Resurrection Bay, Thumb Cove State Marine Park’s 720 acres are protected from the unpredictable Alaskan weather. Fresh water flows into the park as it runs off of the mountainous Porcupine Glacier and down into the bay. There are land-based as well as water-based activities available all year at this versatile park. The camp sites are free, but there is a small fee for daily parking.

Shoreline Beaches and Mooring Docks

Kayak Island State Marine Park

Kayak Island State Marine Park is located on Kayak Island in the Alaskan Gulf, approximately 50 miles to the southeast of Cordova. The park runs along the northern coast of the island and offers visitors kayak excursions as well as an incredible backdrop of ocean glaciers and snow capped mountains. Since the Kayak Island State Marine Park is directly exposed to the weather from the north, it is not very heavily visited by tourists. The park’s history is one of the main reasons it remains protected today.

Historical Significance

Denali State Park - Alaska

Denali State Park is located approximately 100 air miles north of Anchorage, Alaska. The park consists of 325,240 acres of land and it is divided almost in half by the George Parks Highway, which is the main thoroughfare between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. The park was established in 1970 and was again expanded in 1976 to its present size. It is situated between the Talkeetna Mountains in the east and the Alaska Range in the west. On the eastern half of the park lies the 35 mile long north/south alpine ridges of Curry and Kesugi. The terrain in the park ranges from lowland streams to alpine tundra. Recreational opportunities abound in the park from camping to exploration. You will find whatever you are looking for here.

The Tanana Indian word “Denali” means The High One which is fitting for this park since that was the original name of Mount McKinley which is located in Denali National Park. Mount McKinley is North America’s highest peak. Denali National Park and Preserve is adjacent to Denali State Park.