Arizona's public parks come in three systems: federal sites run by the National Park Service, state parks, and tribal parks run by the nations themselves. The National Park Service lists 25 units in Arizona on its state page, from the Grand Canyon to small monuments built around a single cliff dwelling. Arizona State Parks and Trails runs another 33 parks, historic parks and natural areas.
This guide lists them, with 2026 entrance fees and the passes that do and don't work at each, and flags the parks that were closed in November 2026.
The four national parks
| Park | Nearest base | Private vehicle (7 days) | Notes for November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon | Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, Williams, Flagstaff | $35 | Cards only. $100 extra per non-US resident aged 16+ unless the vehicle has an annual pass. No in-park lodging since August 31; North Rim open through November 30 |
| Petrified Forest | Holbrook | $25 | Open all year except Thanksgiving and Christmas; park annual pass $45 |
| Saguaro | Tucson | $25 | Valid in both districts; park annual pass $45 |
| Chiricahua | Willcox | Free | Listed by the NPS as a national park; campground by reservation only |
Petrified Forest keeps Mountain Standard Time all year, as does the rest of Arizona outside the Navajo Nation.
National monuments, historic sites and recreation areas
| Site | Near | Entrance (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon de Chelly NM | Chinle | Free; canyon-floor tours through Navajo-listed operators |
| Casa Grande Ruins NM | Coolidge | Free |
| Coronado National Memorial | Hereford | Free |
| Fort Bowie NHS | Willcox | Free |
| Glen Canyon NRA (AZ and UT) | Page | $30 per vehicle; $55 park annual pass |
| Grand Canyon-Parashant NM | Northern Arizona | Remote; check with the park |
| Hubbell Trading Post NHS | Ganado | Free, including house tours limited to 15 people |
| Lake Mead NRA (AZ and NV) | Mojave Desert | $25 per vehicle |
| Montezuma Castle NM | Camp Verde | $10 per adult, under 16 free, also covers Tuzigoot for 7 days; Montezuma Well free |
| Navajo NM | Near Kayenta | Free |
| Organ Pipe Cactus NM | Ajo | $25 per vehicle; no cash |
| Pipe Spring NM | Fredonia | $10 per person 16+, of which $3 goes to the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians |
| Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki NMs | Flagstaff | $25 per vehicle, one pass for both |
| Tonto NM | Roosevelt | $10 per person |
| TumacÃĄcori NHP | Tubac | $10 per adult 16+, valid 7 days |
| Tuzigoot NM | Clarkdale | $10 per adult, also covers Montezuma Castle |
| Walnut Canyon NM | Flagstaff | $25 per vehicle |
The NPS list also includes three national historic trails that cross Arizona (Butterfield Overland, Juan Bautista de Anza and Old Spanish), which have no single entrance.
Canyon de Chelly. There is no NPS fee and you can visit the overlooks on your own. The park's fee page says the White House Overlook and Trail is open with no fee, may need a fee in future, and is run day to day by Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation. Trips on the canyon floor are run by local tour companies; Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation keeps the list (928-674-2106).
Navajo National Monument. No entrance pass is required. Its cliff dwellings can be visited only with park staff: Betatakin on ranger-led hikes, generally on summer weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and Keet Seel on overnight trips offered twice each in April, May, September and October. Inscription House is closed indefinitely. The monument observes daylight saving time with the rest of the Navajo Nation.
Passes and the 2026 fee changes
- America the Beautiful pass: $80 a year for US residents, $250 for non-US residents. Either one covers entrance fees at all the federal sites above, and the nonresident fee, for the passholder and everyone in a private vehicle (or the passholder plus three adults where fees are per person).
- Nonresident fee: in 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay $100 each on top of the entrance fee at 11 of the most visited national parks unless covered by an annual pass. Grand Canyon is the only one of the 11 in Arizona; Saguaro, Petrified Forest and the monuments are not on the list. Nonresidents in commercial tour groups pay it too.
- Fee-free days: since 2026 they apply only to US citizens and residents.
- Senior pass: $20 a year or $80 for life for US citizens and permanent residents aged 62 and over.
- Proof of residency: for the resident pass, a US passport, a US state driver's licence or ID, or a green card.
Several Arizona parks no longer accept cash at the gate, including Grand Canyon and Organ Pipe Cactus. Carry a card.
Arizona state parks
Camping is available at 15 of them, and eight rent camping cabins.
| Park | Area | Day entrance (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Dutchman | Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix | $10 one person, $20 for 2 to 4 per vehicle |
| Catalina | North of Tucson | $10 / $20 |
| Kartchner Caverns | Benson | $10 / $20, waived with a reserved cave tour; Rotunda/Throne Room tour $30 adults |
| Dead Horse Ranch | Cottonwood | $10 / $20 |
| Tonto Natural Bridge | Near Payson | $10 adults, $5 ages 7 to 13 |
| Homolovi | Winslow | $10 / $20 |
| Lake Havasu | Lake Havasu City | $20 per vehicle Monday to Thursday, $25 Friday to Sunday and holidays |
| Patagonia Lake | South of Tucson | $20 / $25 |
| Red Rock | Sedona | Closed by flooding (normally $10 adults) |
| Slide Rock | Oak Creek Canyon | Reopening November 7, 2026 after the flood closure; $20 to $30 per vehicle by season |
The system also includes historic parks such as Tombstone Courthouse, Yuma Territorial Prison, Fort Verde, Jerome, Tubac Presidio and Riordan Mansion.
What passes work: Arizona State Parks does not accept the federal America the Beautiful pass or senior passes. It sells its own annual pass ($200), covering day entrance for up to four adults in one vehicle; it doesn't cover camping. Active-duty military, reserves and National Guard get 50% off day entrance, and on November 11, 2026 the parks offer free day entrance to US veterans and service members with military ID. There is no senior or disability discount.
Pets: welcome on a leash at most state parks, but not in buildings or museums, and not at Red Rock State Park.
Tribal parks are separate
Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Four Corners and Canyon de Chelly's canyon floor are on the Navajo Nation, and Havasu Canyon's waterfalls are on the Havasupai reservation. None of these is a national or state park, and neither federal nor state passes are valid. Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation says it does not accept the National Park Pass, and the Havasupai Tribe sells all its permits itself. See our car rental and road trips guide for Monument Valley's loop.
Before you go
- Decide whether an $80 or $250 America the Beautiful pass beats paying per park.
- Carry a card; the Grand Canyon and Organ Pipe take no cash.
- Check Red Rock and Slide Rock state parks before planning Sedona days.
- Buy a state parks annual pass separately if you'll visit several.
- Budget separately for tribal park fees and tours.
Details checked November 6, 2026.
