3 Water Adventures in Arizona That Won’t Break the Bank

Mermaid in the Desert: Finding Water in Arizona

Not long ago, I was hiking with a friend, a recent transplant from the Midwest. Aimee confessed that while she was pleasantly surprised at how much she has come to love the desert southwest, she still misses spending time around lakes and rivers. She told me she’s got a new internal map of some of the best places to find water without going fleeing to Wisconsin or Minnesota.

Hiking the San Pedro River

One way Aimee said she keeps in touch with her mermaid roots is by hiking the San Pedro River. While she’s been careful to limit her summer ambles to the early mornings before the heat of the day, she’s also cognizant the unpredictable monsoon rains can put a damper on her adventures. Aimee told me she learned a lot about the possibility of flash floods and always made sure she told someone where she was going, avoiding the rainiest times of day just to be safe. Aimee share this discovery: one of the best ways to learn about the San Pedro Riparian Region is to visit the San Pedro House where they share the history of the area. The San Pedro House is also a bird watcher’s paradise and people from all over the world land here to see discover our unique species.

Parker Canyon and Patagonia Lake Adventures

When she has more time to spend near water, Aimee makes a trek to Parker Canyon Lake or Patagonia State Park. Aimee’s schedule allows for weekday adventures when the parks are less crowded, but she’s not opposed to a weekend excursion, particularly when her friends are available to join her. Donning a swimsuit for a cooling dip in the lake and even securing a campsite make the trip even more satisfying.

A Little Time in Sedona

When you think of Sedona, you generally think of vortexes, metaphysical shops, and yoga retreats, but like the true mermaid she is, Aimee discovered a water adventure at Slide Rock in nearby Oak Creek Canyon. Maintained by the Arizona State Park system, entry is reasonably priced and varies depending on the time of year one visits.