A shout out to AZ state parks

[4runnerguy]

I saw the post about dissatisfaction with the KY SP's and thought I should post a good experience we had last summer with the AZ parks.

We had reservations for Fool Hollow Lake near Show Low in late June. Unfortunately, a forest fire began in that area a week before we were to arrive. Now the campground was never evacuated or closed, but there was smoke in the area. AZ state parks did put notification on their website about the smoke in the area and offered to cancel reservations without a penalty.

Well not only was there not a cancellation fee, but they also refunded our initial reservation fee! Maybe that's standard in some places, but it seems that cost is just something that isn't usually refunded.

Anyway, I was really impressed.

We ended up spending those few extra days more at Flagstaff and got to know that area much better.

[dukiebluedoc]

A note to the OP--I hope you get another chance to visit Fools Hollow State Park in Show Low.
We are long term AZ residents and have camped in many of our state parks and enjoyed them, but we consider Fools Hollow the crown jewel of our state parks.
The facilities (restrooms, sites,layout etc) are excellent and always well maintained. The park itself is well situated close to the water, in the Ponderosa pines.
The rangers and camp hosts are friendly and helpful.
There is so much to do in the surrounding area (White Mountains) for anyone who loves the outdoors.
We try to stay a week or two in this park a couple of times a year because it rejuvenates us so much!
Caroline
Cave Creek AZ

[parcany]

We will be at Catalina state park from the 10th of December till the 17th. Been there many times. We have been to a lot of State Parks in AZ and the people and Rangers were really nice to talk to. The sites were very clean, it seems that the people that work there really want to make their park the best. Good for the customer.

[Lauren]

Yup - about 45 miles from our home south of Tucson. It is a great place. Reservations recommended. We go there just to get "otta Dodge" so to speak.

[Acampingwewillg]

Lauren wrote:
Catalina State Park is just north of Tucson.......amazing place.

Thank You.....I knew Phoenix didn't sound right! 🙂

[Lauren]

Catalina State Park is just north of Tucson.......amazing place.

[djsamuel]

mmccwill wrote:
It`s a very interesting story about how Fool`s Hollow got it`s name -- Bill Willard

You made me look it up! Interesting. 🙂

[2gypsies1]

Yes, all of Arizona's state parks are awesome and extremely clean. You had a good experience! We were up there at the same time but stayed. You wouldn't have been bothered much with smoke as the winds were from the west to the east.

[mmccwill]

It`s a very interesting story about how Fool`s Hollow got it`s name -- Bill Willard

[Acampingwewillg]

Since you mention AZ State Park's and I've said this before but a few year's back we stayed at Catalina State Park, near Phoenix, I believe...anyways, many AZ State Parks have water/elect so I elected to use the campground showers. All I can say, and I told them at the CG, they had the cleanness, shiniest, most well maintained restrooms I've ever seen, private,public or otherwise. Kudo's to them!