For the first time in eight years, Arizona has a new state park. Lucky for Northern Arizona residents, it’s in Camp Verde. Meet the Rockin’ River State Park, which opened on Feb. 9. Located on the confluence of the Verde River and West Clear Creek, this park has been in the works for over a decade. Back in 2008, Arizona State Parks & Trails purchased this piece of privately owned land that was once a horse riding guest ranch and boarding facility. Arizona State Parks removed old buildings, restored the ranch house, created a trail system, built restrooms, a gift shop and added parking. The 209-acre park features six relatively easy trails that all total just under four miles with scenery of the river up close and mountains in the distance. “Nothing super long, nothing strenuous. They’re all really beautiful trails,” says Michelle Thompson, deputy assistant director, communications and research, for Arizona State Parks & Trails.
“Several of them are right near the banks of the Verde River. So you can see the white cliffs. You can see pastures. You can see the mesquite bosque around the park, and it is a fantastic area for wildlife,” says Michelle. Specifically, you might spot javelina, deer, beavers, otters and plenty of birds. The park also features a heron rookery in a tree on property. The heron arrive every spring and raise their offspring there. The tree is near the entrance. Be sure to ask the staff where the tree is if you’d like to see it.
Mountain bikers and hikers are welcome. ATVs are not. Fishing and kayaking are both allowed. The park will currently only be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday for day-use only. In the future, the park will maybe increase its hours and build kayak launching points and fishing piers. For now, the finally open park seeks to give Northern Arizona residents and visitors a place of respite in Camp Verde. “It’s really rustic so you really have a sense that you’re disconnected and just in nature enjoy the quiet and the solitude and the sounds of the water and the wildlife,” says Michelle. “For Arizonans, it’s another piece of property that’s protected. It’s going to remain in its natural state, and it’s going to be there for generations to come.” – Teresa K. Traverse
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