A Walk in the Park

A PORTFOLIO a walk in Arizona's state parks reveal their scenic sides

Many of the state's 28 state parks preserve bits of history or chances to hike, splash and fish. But these special places also protect some stirring scenery and vital wildlife habitat. So here's a sampling of places beloved by people, javalina, deer, ducks and trout, including Sedona, the Colorado River's coves, the Santa Catalina Mountains and Picacho Peak, famous for the poppies captured here by photographer George Stocking.

the park

LAKE HAVASU STATE PARK

Lake Havasu State Park and its surrounding wilderness host a plethora of wildlife, including (left to right) javelinas, mule deer and ruddy ducks.

CATTAIL COVE STATE PARK

An amber glow reflects off Lake Havasu's tranquil surface at Cattail Cove State Park. The lake, formed when the Colorado River was dammed near Parker, is a 45-mile aquatic retreat for sailing into quiet coves, skimming the surface on water skis or jet skis or fishing for largemouth and striped bass, bluegill and crappie. MOREY MILBRADT

CATALINA STATE PARK

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SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK

A sun-kissed sandstone column towers over a stand of fir and pine trees in Oak Creek Canyon, above Slide Rock State Park. The park, originally a homestead and apple farm, has become world-famous thanks to its natural namesake waterslide, receiving hordes of swimmers every year to glide down the slippery sandstone. ROBERT G. MCDONALD

BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM STATE PARK

A stand of trees (right) shades Queen Creek at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. The park's 323 acres enclose Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden. PAUL GILL

DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK

The nearly 180-mile-long Verde River running through Dead Horse Ranch State Park is one of the desert's last free-flowing rivers sustaining a lush riparian area and a large wildlife population, including (clockwise from top left) the rarely sighted elf owl, great egret, black-tailed jackrabbit and Harris' hawk.