Hidden at the base of Mount Graham, the tallest mountain in Southern Arizona, Roper Lake State Park is a year-round park packed with outdoor adventure. Centered around the 32-acre Roper Lake, the state park offers incomparable camping and fishing experiences for all its visitors. The park has 51 tent and RV campsites and eight cabin accommodations in three distinct campground loops, plus an impressive list of amenities, so even the basic gear you’d need for any camping adventure would work. Roper Lake State Park is a stunning and comfortable desert-meets-mountain setting for your next camping excursion.
The state park is just under 6 miles south of Safford, Arizona, via US Highway 191. Visitors from Tucson can access Roper Lake State Park via I-10 and US-191, a nearly two-hour drive to the northeast. Those flying in will also take this route from the closest major airport, Tucson International. The nearby towns of Safford and Clifton, Arizona, also have regional airports less than 7 and 35 miles away respectively for local flights.
The park offers 5 miles of hiking trails for wildlife sightings, and with species like coyote, mule deer, and over 60 types of birds in the area, the opportunities are endless. If you’re up for more adventure, just 85 miles southeast of Roper Lake, you’ll find Cave Creek Canyon, “Arizona’s Yosemite,” with even more incredible hiking trails, streams, and wildlife. Roper Lake State Park is an ideal weekend escape for Arizonans and a worthy stop for out-of-town travelers exploring the beautiful Southwest.
Roper Lake State Park camping and cabins
Roper Lake State Park is open year-round. Its ranger station and gift shop are just inside the entrance to the park, open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday all year. The park’s 51 campsites and eight cabins are separated into three loops. The first loop, the Gila Campground, houses all eight cabins furnished with bunk beds or full-size beds, electricity, and climate control. The loop also has five non-electric sites and a large 14-site group camp area.
The second loop is the Cottonwood Loop, with 25 sites equipped with water and electric hookups. Most sites in this loop allow for RVs up to 45 feet long and come with picnic tables and fire rings. The loop also has restrooms and shower facilities. The third loop, the Hacienda Campground, features 20 similar sites with the addition of a few pull-through sites for RVs.
Drive the loop around the lake, passing the three day-use areas and fishing dock, to get to the RV dump station near the entrance and exit to the park. Day-use passes to Roper Lake State Park are $10 for a single adult, $20 for two to four adults (all in one vehicle), and $5 for an individual bicycle pass. Camping reservations can be made on the Arizona State Parks and Trails website. Non-electric campsites start at $25 per night, while furnished cabins start at $129 per night.
Wildlife and recreation at Roper Lake State Park
