Admission to Arizona State Parks will be free during MLK Day weekend
Thanks to a recent national accolade, it will be even easier to explore state parks in Yuma County and the surrounding area this coming weekend, with access to lots of lakes, rivers, mountains, trails and other historical sights.
On Wednesday, Gov. Doug Ducey announced that all Arizona State Parks & Trails will offer free admission during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, in celebration of it being recognized as the best-managed state park system in the nation.
“With Arizona State Parks and Trails’ recent recognition as the best-managed state park system in the nation, what better way to celebrate than with free admission during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend?” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. “Celebrate Arizona’s Gold Medal win and explore our award-winning parks.”
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) awarded Arizona State Parks & Trails with the gold medal for best-managed state park system in September 2017.
In celebration of the distinction entrance fees at all state parks will be waived for all Arizona residents between Saturday, Jan. 13 and Monday, Jan. 15.
Fees, however, will still apply for tours at Kartchner Caverns State Park, tours, camping, special events, and concessions.
There are two state parks in the Yuma area, the Colorado River State Historic Park and the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.
The Colorado River State Historic Park, which was formerly known as the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park is an 1864 U.S. Army facility that supplied 14 military posts around the Southwest.
The park, which is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located at 201 N 4th Ave, and can be reached at can be reached by phone at (928) 783-0071.
Located at 220 Prison Hill Road, the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is a famous Arizona Territory prison that operated from 1876 to 1909. The park is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached by calling (928) 783-4771.
For information about all 35 Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call 1-877-MY-PARKS or visit AZStateParks.com.