In July, my husband and I booked Eagle Ridge Luxury Camps for a getaway on our 7th anniversary. The…read moretrip begins as your turn off the main highway onto a county road where the longer you drive, it feels as though you are stepping back in time. It becomes more secluded as the houses fade and you are left along with a baron forest and lots of gas wells. As you approach the locked gate, you are met by your wonderful hosts, Jason and Porscha. They then take you down to a hidden oasis tucked deep in the trees and overlooking Navajo Lake. Here you will find everything you need for a weekend of glamping. They have a very comfortable hang out area with big cushy chairs and a bar. They have a full bathroom with running water and hot showers. The tents were much bigger than I expected and very cozy. Additionally, Porshca went above and beyond and left us a little anniversary gift and note. The added touch was extremely appreciated and so thoughtful. There are lots of areas to kick back and read a book, meditate or do some yoga. Jason took us on a tour of the area and then we went down to the lake and did some paddleboarding. It was my very first time and so fun. We came back and had dinner. You can bring your own stuff to eat or they also provide dinner. They have a grill and kitchen area where you can cook and eat. The day flew by and it was time for our hot baths. I was so excited about this all day and it didn't disappoint. I had the Champagne Citrus and my husband opted for the basic bubble bath. They had us setup in the "Nest", which is a private area that overlooks the lake. We watched the sun go down while soaking and listening to the birds chirp before seeing the moon come up and a serene quiet was upon us. We sat in the tubs for almost 2 hours just visiting and enjoying nature. The champagne bath was unbelievable. I could smell the citrus upon walking up to it. It made my skin feel so good by the end of it. The next morning they had a great breakfast ready to go. Next time, we will come with some of our closest friends. It truly is a hideaway that allows the stresses of the world to disappear for a few days.

I hit the White Tanks when I can't stand the city noise of Phoenix anymore. Most tourists…read morecompletely ignore this park, which is why I love it. I've found some of the best solitude here, wandering through saguaro forests that feel untouched. The trails are a bit more understated than the Grand Canyon, but the rock formations are weird and jagged in a way that keeps you interested. It's a great spot for when I just need to disappear into the desert for a couple of hours without a crowd.

The waterfall trail is amazing!!! Beautiful scenery!…read more This trail is so cool, not the hardest hike but great for most people. If you are looking for longer hike do the Black Rock Trail.

We love going to Saguaro lake. Boating, fishing, wildlife nature, trails, and excitement love the…read moreadventure every time.

My tips when visiting saguaro lake:…read more - Arrive early if you're planning to rent a boat or kayak, especially on weekends. The marina can get crowded and boats are in high demand. - Bring plenty of water! Arizona heat can be brutal, even in the fall and spring. Make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you're hiking or spending time on the water. - If you're visiting for the first time, be sure to take a boat tour to get a unique perspective of the area. - Watch out for wildlife . You might spot herons, eagles, and even bighorn sheep along the trails, so keep an eye out! Plan your visit during the off-season (fall or spring) to avoid the summer heat and the crowds.

Hands down the best state park campground I've ever been to! The grounds are immaculate, the staff…read moreis incredibly friendly and it's so peaceful. We stayed in site 25 and it's just perfect. The views are amazing and we loved seeing all the wildlife. We are sad to be leaving but have already decided if we come back to the area we are definitely staying here again.

Gorgeous views and very easy to reserve. We enjoyed a quiet stay amongst other friendly neighbors…read more The sites are not on top of each other so you have some privacy.

I was pleasantly surprised by this park! It was very nice and clean, lots of paths to take. There…read morewere a lot of different areas to the park too, one area had old antique buildings and farming equipment while another area was an orchard/garden. The grilling setup was probably the nicest I've ever seen for a public park. There were probably 20-30 individual picnic table areas each with their own grill. They also had a covered area with even bigger grills. There were even peacocks walking around! Numerous baseball/softball fields, as well as playground equipment. I would definitely come back here and bring people.

Fun little trail to run walk or watch the peacocks shaded in some areas can be crowded with moms…read morewith strollers but it's a park what do you expect there's people. Fun history all over this old farm/ranch

This was a nice play, especially if you have a boat. There are wild animals running around that's…read morewhy we went there beautiful view of the water. You can also camp there.

Really awesome. A hike and check out. It's really sad to see the water level dropping so much…read more Enjoy it while you can. Also look out for the packs of donkeys!!! They are adorable.

This was my second year at AZ Rise Up, and while I haven't been to Tempe Beach Park as an actual…read morepark in... honestly, I don't even know how long... as a festival venue? Solid. Like, genuinely well done. They space the vendor area far enough from the stages so you're not fighting for your life trying to shop while also dodging people who are deep in their "vibe." Huge win. The stages are set up in a way where, even when artists are playing at the same time, it doesn't feel like a chaotic sound clash, which I did not expect but fully appreciated. Also noticed they adjusted the layout a bit this year (especially around the Rise Up stage), and it worked. Way smoother flow overall. GA+ still not exactly bursting at the seams, but hey, more room for the rest of us. Sound? On point. Setup? Thought out. Experience (overall)? Actually great. Now... the people. Let's just say there comes a moment in life where you realize a fan base is no longer your fan base. And for me, that moment was somewhere between hour 8 and hour 9 of holding down my spot, when I got full-on trampled by someone who apparently believed personal space is a myth. Ma'am. I had been standing there for nearly 9 hours. NINE. This was not a casual pop-in situation. Up until that point, everything had been amazing. The music, the energy, the flow, chef's kiss. But that one interaction? Immediate vibe break. That said, I'm choosing growth here: I genuinely hope she finds whatever she's running toward... and maybe learns how not to run directly through people to get there. Overall though? As a venue for this fest, Tempe Beach Park absolutely delivers. I'll be back... just maybe with stronger crowd boundaries and a little more side-eye.

We've visited the Tempe Beach Park area a few times for events like breast cancer walks and…read morefestivals. It's a beautiful location with scenic views of the bridges and water, and there's even a nearby museum which adds to the experience. Parking can be a bit of a mixed situation. There is a parking garage available, but it does require payment. We also noticed an additional open lot next to the garage where you can park for free; however, it is gated and the surface is mostly dirt and rocks, so just something to keep in mind. One thing we didn't come across was a public restroom, so it's unclear where the nearest one is located. Overall, it's a great area to visit and enjoy events. My only suggestion would be to add more parking options or provide a designated free parking area for visitors, so not everyone has to pay for parking.

The park is well maintained and there is a good bit of parking near the trailheads. With the new…read moreyear, it is $10/car to enter or you can purchase an annual pass that covers all of the Maricopa County Parks (this is a great deal if you live here and enjoy getting outdoors). It has probably been ten years since I was last at this park -- mostly because I live on the opposite end of the Valley, but I still remember hiking the Go John Trail from twice that long ago. (Back then, we didn't have Internet-based recommendation systems or online trail guides, so we relied on books or the maps provided at the ranger stations.) That trail is no joke and the climb was a bit of a surprise as it has roughly 849 ft of elevation gain with some 10-15% grades over the course of nearly 6 miles. The elevation gain means some really nice desert views. I was here this time for a trail race, which is not run by the park, but we used the facilities and trails, which were well maintained and amazing to run on. I had a family of deer run across the trail about 100 yds in front of me on the home stretch of the race. I recommend all of the Maricopa County Parks and this one is no exception: each one has its own character and they're all worth visiting.

Slate Trail is a really enjoyable hike with classic Sonoran Desert scenery--towering saguaros,…read morerocky hillsides, and wide open views that make it feel peaceful without being remote. Parking was easy, and I appreciated the clean, convenient restrooms at the trailhead. That said, I do think the trail is slightly misrated. While it's listed as easy, the rocky footing and a few stretches with noticeable incline push it more into easy-moderate territory. It's absolutely doable, but hikers should be prepared for uneven terrain and some effort, especially if they're expecting a flat stroll. I brought my walking stick, and I'm glad I did. Overall, this is a beautiful, well-kept trail and a great way to experience Cave Creek Regional Park. With a more accurate difficulty rating, it would be a near-perfect hike.

This is our first year renting a slip and keeping our boat at the marina, and the experience has…read morebeen excellent. Liz was incredibly helpful from the start, patiently answering all of my questions and making the process easy. Chad and his team went above and beyond to help us launch our boat and make sure everything was set up properly. Everyone we've interacted with has been friendly, professional, and genuinely willing to help. Special mention from my daughters to the kind lady in the store who sells the ice cream--she made their visits even more enjoyable! The staff truly makes a difference. We look forward to our time at the lake not just for the boating, but also for the great people here. Highly recommend!

Canyon Lake has been a staple destination for my family since before I was born (picture of my…read moreparents added). I grew up spending summers here on my dad's boat, and even hiking as a kid. I definitely recommend, and there are great services available at the Marina & Campground so check it out!

Other than the heat, this was a great option in the Phoenix area. There's not many choices for RV…read moretravelers, so was very happy with this. Nice pool, very clean.

Stayed at Destiny RV Resort in Phoenix and honestly it was a really bad experience…read more The RV spots are set up poorly. When you park and set everything up, the next person's septic hookup is literally right by your picnic table and grill, like a couple feet away. You can smell it, especially when it gets hot, and it's pretty nasty. The pool is overloaded with chlorine and most of the lights don't even work. I'd say around 70% of the lights are out, including the ones inside the pool, so it just feels poorly maintained. The bathrooms look like they haven't been updated in decades. Everything is worn down and cheap. Even something basic like a toilet paper holder isn't there, the roll just sits on a rail leaning against the wall. The dump area smells terrible, like rotting waste, and overall a lot of the park smells like cigarettes and septic. For $112 a night, it's honestly not worth it at all. This place feels like a 1 star at best and I definitely won't be coming back. Only positive thing I can say is the security guy was really nice.