December 5, 2025 • 9 mins
Winter is a great time to explore our parks and public lands. Arizona State Parks & Trails offers a variety of activities, including hikes, boat parades, luminary tours, and more. Listen to this episode to learn about all the great things happening in Arizona this holiday season and for First Day Hikes!
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(00:00):
We enter the winter holidayseason ready to visit our parks,
But how do you winter in a park?
Join us as we explore ArizonaState Parks and Trails.
I'm your host, Missy Rentz, andthis is The Parks podcast.
Missy Rentz (00:17):
In this special Winter in the Parks episode, I
am joined by Michelle Thompson,who is the Deputy Assistant
Director at Arizona State Parksand Trails.
Michelle, welcome to the Parkspodcast.
Michelle Thompson (00:30):
Thank you so much
Missy Rentz (00:31):
for having me.
So many people think aboutwinter and parks and they think
cold.
And maybe I'm biased because I'min the north, but in Arizona,
this is prime time to visit apark.
Michelle Thompson (00:42):
This is exactly the right time to visit
the Sonoran Desert and see whatArizona has to offer.
Arizona doesn't really dowinter.
We just do a really nice fallthat lasts for several months,
and it's a really excellent timefor you to come and explore the
desert, get to know all thecactus that we've warned you
(01:03):
against in the summer and reallyjust get outdoors and have a
great time.
Missy Rentz (01:07):
And when we talk about winter activities, you're
not packing your coats and yourgloves and your mittens, and you
all have a little bit ofeverything when it comes to
winter activities down inArizona.
Michelle Thompson (01:21):
We do.
And actually you can pack yourcoat and your gloves and your
mittens because Arizona has sucha diverse climate.
So you can go to some of ourparks up in the north, like at
Flagstaff and you may see snowsome years.
We've gotten a lot of snow upthere.
Or you can go down and you.
Still enjoy getting out in yourkayak and going out on the water
(01:41):
and hiking in the desert.
And you can do all of thosethings in one state throughout
the, you know, winter months,December, all the way through to
March.
You can have those really greatexperiences with such a
diversity in the state.
Missy Rentz (01:55):
So what can people look forward to this holiday
season in Arizona Parks andtrails?
Michelle Thompson (02:00):
Aside from those general outdoor activities
that I mentioned, we do do a lotof things for for the holidays
that people can come out andexperience our historic parks,
several of them really get alldecked out in their holiday
glitter.
We have Rearden Mansion StateHistoric Park up in Flagstaff
and Fort Verde State HistoricPark in Camp Verde that both do
(02:23):
Victorian era decorations andhave ornament making workshops.
Santa will be at both of thoseparks for the kids to come and
explore Twilight Tours atReardon Mansion so they, you can
explore and enjoy the park in,with all the Christmas lights
and luminaries outside.
We have, the boat parade oflights goes on at Lake Havasu
(02:46):
State Park, which is right alongthe Colorado River.
And this is this is a verycompetitive event.
Those boats are decked out intheir finest lights.
It's really, really quite anexperience.
And then, we even do, asolstice, winter hike at
Catalina State Park, which isright in the heart of the
desert.
It's a really great time, andyou can go out and see the stars
(03:08):
and the sunset and then enjoysome of the, the nightlife.
And in this, I mean, the nightwildlife that comes out in that
park.
But it's a, a really goodopportunity to just see a
different side of the parks.
We're also doing a Roper Lake,which is in Safford, Arizona.
We're doing an ornament trail.
So you can go to the visitorcenter, pick out an ornament,
(03:29):
put a special message on it, andthen they'll decorate the the
trees and bushes along thattrail so that you can see
everyone's holiday spirit as youhike.
Missy Rentz (03:37):
Oh, that's really beautiful.
So if people wanna learn aboutwhat's going on, I've got a list
at the on TheParksPodcast.com,but you probably have a more
comprehensive list.
So where can people go to learnmore about what's happening for
the holidays?
Michelle Thompson (03:50):
Go to az state parks.com.
If you want to go to thespecific page, it's az state
parks.com/holiday-events, butit's linked right on our
homepage, so you can go there.
You can also check out all ofthe other events and activities
we have that aren't necessarilyfor the holidays, but that we
have going on throughoutDecember and January from that
(04:10):
homepage.
And we'll put that link on theParks podcast episode page as
well for you.
Great.
Now, one big activity that ishappening.
In Arizona and across thecountry is First Day Hikes,
which celebrates, you know, youbasically first day hikes is you
go and celebrate January 1st bygoing to a park and going on a
hike.
(04:31):
You all have a lot of thingsgoing on for First Day Hikes.
Can you tell us a little bitabout it?
Yeah, absolutely.
And this is actually an extraspecial first day hikes that
we'll be having in 2026 becausethis is also part of America's
250th anniversary.
So to kick off the new year, wewant everyone to start 2026
(04:51):
outdoors recreating having anamazing time, but we also want
you to celebrate this biganniversary for our country.
And so all of our First DayHikes are going to be free.
And that's something unique.
So all you have to do is show upat the park, go to the visitor
center, let them know thatyou're there for the first day
hike.
And then you can go ahead and goin without a fee to take that
(05:14):
hike.
So that'll be a really funthing.
We have 18 different parks thatare offering first day hikes.
Take a look at our website.
It's az state parks.com/fdh, andwe have all of them listed the
times that they're starting.
Which trail they'll be on alittle bit about that trail.
So you can choose if you want,an easier, more leisurely
(05:37):
post-holiday hike or if youreally wanna challenge yourself.
We even have a hike up to thetop of Picacho Peak State Park,
which involves you bringinggloves and using steel cables to
pull yourself up to the verypeak of that.
But it is a definite bucket listhike that a lot of people really
enjoy doing.
If you're.
(05:57):
Really feeling like, relaxing onyour first day hike.
Patagonia Lake State Park isalso offering a boat ride, hike
for, I love that for the newyear.
So you can just tour the park,learn about some of the, the
surrounding ecosystem, and justenjoy a little boat ride on the
lake for your first day.
Missy Rentz (06:15):
And you can really find activities that interest
everybody and are accessible foreverybody from infant to
grandparents.
So it's a absolutely, it's agreat activity.
But a lot of your parks arerural and they require a little
bit of planning.
You, you're not gonna, you'renot gonna wake up at 8:00 AM to,
for some of these parks and bethere by 10 for a hike.
(06:36):
So for someone new to parkactivities and going to parks,
what do you recommend they do?
To prepare for a trip for firstday hikes.
Michelle Thompson (06:46):
For first day hikes, that's really recommend.
Go to our website, check out thefirst day hikes.
Pick which one you want to goto.
Make sure you know how long it'sgonna take you to get there.
But, once you're there, let themknow that you're there for a
first day hike.
Like I said, you'll get in forfree.
All you have to do is rememberto bring water, wear appropriate
(07:08):
close- toe shoes.
And then depending on where youare, you'll probably need some
sun protection.
So you wanna think about a hator sunscreen'cause it's probably
gonna be a nice sunny day herein Arizona.
But really just looking at thoseparks, we have maps to those
parks linked on the same page,so you can really see how far it
is from your home or fromwherever you're starting.
(07:31):
So you know how long the drivewill be.
All of our parks have reallyhelpful rangers who are going to
be there for guiding thesehikes.
We'll give you all of theinformation that you need and if
you're getting there and you'renot sure what to do just ask if
the visitor center, everyone isreally excited to have you come
to the park and visit, and theyreally want you to be there and
(07:53):
to have a good time.
So they're never going to say.
I don't have time to answer yourquestions.
I don't have time to point youin the right direction.
That's one thing that's reallycool about Arizona State Parks
is that we have our rangersthere who really want you to be
there and really wanna make thebest out of your visit.
Missy Rentz (08:09):
I love it.
Michelle, I am really gratefulto you for joining us today and
sharing what's going on inArizona State Parks and Trails
this winter and this holidayseason.
So thanks for joining
Michelle Thompson (08:20):
us.
Absolutely.
Thanks so much for having ushere, and hopefully you can
enjoy, first day hike whereveryou are.
Missy Rentz (08:27):
Thank you.
I definitely will.
Thanks for joining us for thisshort episode on winter in the
parks in Arizona.
For more information, visit theArizona State Parks and Trails
website or TheParksPodcast.com.
Happy holidays to you, Michelle,and happy holidays to our
listeners.
Until next time, we'll see youin the parks.
(08:48):
Thanks for listening.
If you enjoyed today's episode,please be sure to like and share
on your favorite podcastplatform.
Music for the parks podcast isperformed and produced by Porter
Hardy.
For more information, pleasefollow us at the parks podcast.
Or visit ourwebsite@theparkspodcast.com.
We enter the winter holidayseason ready to visit our parks,
But how do you winter in a park?
Join us as we explore ArizonaState Parks and Trails.
I'm your host, Missy Rentz, andthis is The Parks podcast.
Missy Rentz (00:17):
In this special Winter in the Parks episode, I
am joined by Michelle Thompson,who is the Deputy Assistant
Director at Arizona State Parksand Trails.
Michelle, welcome to the Parkspodcast.
Michelle Thompson (00:30):
Thank you so much
Missy Rentz (00:31):
for having me.
So many people think aboutwinter and parks and they think
cold.
And maybe I'm biased because I'min the north, but in Arizona,
this is prime time to visit apark.
Michelle Thompson (00:42):
This is exactly the right time to visit
the Sonoran Desert and see whatArizona has to offer.
Arizona doesn't really dowinter.
We just do a really nice fallthat lasts for several months,
and it's a really excellent timefor you to come and explore the
desert, get to know all thecactus that we've warned you
(01:03):
against in the summer and reallyjust get outdoors and have a
great time.
Missy Rentz (01:07):
And when we talk about winter activities, you're
not packing your coats and yourgloves and your mittens, and you
all have a little bit ofeverything when it comes to
winter activities down inArizona.
Michelle Thompson (01:21):
We do.
And actually you can pack yourcoat and your gloves and your
mittens because Arizona has sucha diverse climate.
So you can go to some of ourparks up in the north, like at
Flagstaff and you may see snowsome years.
We've gotten a lot of snow upthere.
Or you can go down and you.
Still enjoy getting out in yourkayak and going out on the water
(01:41):
and hiking in the desert.
And you can do all of thosethings in one state throughout
the, you know, winter months,December, all the way through to
March.
You can have those really greatexperiences with such a
diversity in the state.
Missy Rentz (01:55):
So what can people look forward to this holiday
season in Arizona Parks andtrails?
Michelle Thompson (02:00):
Aside from those general outdoor activities
that I mentioned, we do do a lotof things for for the holidays
that people can come out andexperience our historic parks,
several of them really get alldecked out in their holiday
glitter.
We have Rearden Mansion StateHistoric Park up in Flagstaff
and Fort Verde State HistoricPark in Camp Verde that both do
(02:23):
Victorian era decorations andhave ornament making workshops.
Santa will be at both of thoseparks for the kids to come and
explore Twilight Tours atReardon Mansion so they, you can
explore and enjoy the park in,with all the Christmas lights
and luminaries outside.
We have, the boat parade oflights goes on at Lake Havasu
(02:46):
State Park, which is right alongthe Colorado River.
And this is this is a verycompetitive event.
Those boats are decked out intheir finest lights.
It's really, really quite anexperience.
And then, we even do, asolstice, winter hike at
Catalina State Park, which isright in the heart of the
desert.
It's a really great time, andyou can go out and see the stars
(03:08):
and the sunset and then enjoysome of the, the nightlife.
And in this, I mean, the nightwildlife that comes out in that
park.
But it's a, a really goodopportunity to just see a
different side of the parks.
We're also doing a Roper Lake,which is in Safford, Arizona.
We're doing an ornament trail.
So you can go to the visitorcenter, pick out an ornament,
(03:29):
put a special message on it, andthen they'll decorate the the
trees and bushes along thattrail so that you can see
everyone's holiday spirit as youhike.
Missy Rentz (03:37):
Oh, that's really beautiful.
So if people wanna learn aboutwhat's going on, I've got a list
at the on TheParksPodcast.com,but you probably have a more
comprehensive list.
So where can people go to learnmore about what's happening for
the holidays?
Michelle Thompson (03:50):
Go to az state parks.com.
If you want to go to thespecific page, it's az state
parks.com/holiday-events, butit's linked right on our
homepage, so you can go there.
You can also check out all ofthe other events and activities
we have that aren't necessarilyfor the holidays, but that we
have going on throughoutDecember and January from that
(04:10):
homepage.
And we'll put that link on theParks podcast episode page as
well for you.
Great.
Now, one big activity that ishappening.
In Arizona and across thecountry is First Day Hikes,
which celebrates, you know, youbasically first day hikes is you
go and celebrate January 1st bygoing to a park and going on a
hike.
(04:31):
You all have a lot of thingsgoing on for First Day Hikes.
Can you tell us a little bitabout it?
Yeah, absolutely.
And this is actually an extraspecial first day hikes that
we'll be having in 2026 becausethis is also part of America's
250th anniversary.
So to kick off the new year, wewant everyone to start 2026
(04:51):
outdoors recreating having anamazing time, but we also want
you to celebrate this biganniversary for our country.
And so all of our First DayHikes are going to be free.
And that's something unique.
So all you have to do is show upat the park, go to the visitor
center, let them know thatyou're there for the first day
hike.
And then you can go ahead and goin without a fee to take that
(05:14):
hike.
So that'll be a really funthing.
We have 18 different parks thatare offering first day hikes.
Take a look at our website.
It's az state parks.com/fdh, andwe have all of them listed the
times that they're starting.
Which trail they'll be on alittle bit about that trail.
So you can choose if you want,an easier, more leisurely
(05:37):
post-holiday hike or if youreally wanna challenge yourself.
We even have a hike up to thetop of Picacho Peak State Park,
which involves you bringinggloves and using steel cables to
pull yourself up to the verypeak of that.
But it is a definite bucket listhike that a lot of people really
enjoy doing.
If you're.
(05:57):
Really feeling like, relaxing onyour first day hike.
Patagonia Lake State Park isalso offering a boat ride, hike
for, I love that for the newyear.
So you can just tour the park,learn about some of the, the
surrounding ecosystem, and justenjoy a little boat ride on the
lake for your first day.
Missy Rentz (06:15):
And you can really find activities that interest
everybody and are accessible foreverybody from infant to
grandparents.
So it's a absolutely, it's agreat activity.
But a lot of your parks arerural and they require a little
bit of planning.
You, you're not gonna, you'renot gonna wake up at 8:00 AM to,
for some of these parks and bethere by 10 for a hike.
(06:36):
So for someone new to parkactivities and going to parks,
what do you recommend they do?
To prepare for a trip for firstday hikes.
Michelle Thompson (06:46):
For first day hikes, that's really recommend.
Go to our website, check out thefirst day hikes.
Pick which one you want to goto.
Make sure you know how long it'sgonna take you to get there.
But, once you're there, let themknow that you're there for a
first day hike.
Like I said, you'll get in forfree.
All you have to do is rememberto bring water, wear appropriate
(07:08):
close- toe shoes.
And then depending on where youare, you'll probably need some
sun protection.
So you wanna think about a hator sunscreen'cause it's probably
gonna be a nice sunny day herein Arizona.
But really just looking at thoseparks, we have maps to those
parks linked on the same page,so you can really see how far it
is from your home or fromwherever you're starting.
(07:31):
So you know how long the drivewill be.
All of our parks have reallyhelpful rangers who are going to
be there for guiding thesehikes.
We'll give you all of theinformation that you need and if
you're getting there and you'renot sure what to do just ask if
the visitor center, everyone isreally excited to have you come
to the park and visit, and theyreally want you to be there and
(07:53):
to have a good time.
So they're never going to say.
I don't have time to answer yourquestions.
I don't have time to point youin the right direction.
That's one thing that's reallycool about Arizona State Parks
is that we have our rangersthere who really want you to be
there and really wanna make thebest out of your visit.
Missy Rentz (08:09):
I love it.
Michelle, I am really gratefulto you for joining us today and
sharing what's going on inArizona State Parks and Trails
this winter and this holidayseason.
So thanks for joining
Michelle Thompson (08:20):
us.
Absolutely.
Thanks so much for having ushere, and hopefully you can
enjoy, first day hike whereveryou are.
Missy Rentz (08:27):
Thank you.
I definitely will.
Thanks for joining us for thisshort episode on winter in the
parks in Arizona.
For more information, visit theArizona State Parks and Trails
website or TheParksPodcast.com.
Happy holidays to you, Michelle,and happy holidays to our
listeners.
Until next time, we'll see youin the parks.
(08:48):
Thanks for listening.
If you enjoyed today's episode,please be sure to like and share
on your favorite podcastplatform.
Music for the parks podcast isperformed and produced by Porter
Hardy.
For more information, pleasefollow us at the parks podcast.
Or visit ourwebsite@theparkspodcast.com.
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