Accessing Arizona

Slide Rock State Park

Sedona is definately a place worth exploring in Arizona, and Slide Rock is perhaps the most popular place to enjoy Oak Creek. But it’s not too friendly for wheelchairs. Read on and learn the secret to accessing the cool waters of Oak Creek.

Usery Park – Merkle Trail

Merkle Trail could better be named The Merkle Circle. It’s a mile long packed gravel trail in Usery Park, which is located in the east valley.

Tempe Lake Marina

If you live in the Phoenix metropolitan area, you likely know how nice it is to visit Tempe Beach Park. But too few know about the marina and the north shore of the lake. It’s beautiful, rarely crowded and it’s really wheelchair accessible.

Crescent Moon Picnic Area

Up until recently I thought the only two parks offering any kind of wheelchair accessibility in Sedona were Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park. This changed when I visited the little known Crescent Moon Picnic Area. I was very impressed. It is not perfect, but if you have [...]

South Mountain Park

Head to South Mountain Park about two hours before sunset. Enjoy the great trail and then drive up to the top and get the best view of the Phoenix lights.

Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En)is a pretty cool little park. The authentic 3 1/2 acre park located in downtown Phoenix has a little lake that is full of Koi fish. We are talking about a lot of big colorful Koi.
Around the lake is a perfect trail. It’s not too steep, [...]

White Tanks Regional Park

White Tanks is located on the far west side of Phoenix. It’s a big park with many areas for camping and picnicking. The park has some excellent hiking trails for the walking-type folks. It also features two trails for wheelers.
Waterfall TrailThe name is only true if you come after a [...]

Cresent Moon Picnic Area

Editor’s note: This entry marks the first of hopefully many future essays by contributing writers.
By: Laurie Zentner
The Cresent Moon Picnic Area is located just east of Red Rock State Park on Oak Creek. Which puts it just outside of Sedona.

The location has a great view of Cathedral Rock. The picnic [...]

Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

Location: Phoenix
The name Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area does not sound all too inviting, but being as I live in Phoenix and the the park ranger’s e-mail says it is accessible I figured I would swing by.Wow! Good job Phoenix. This is a nice little sanctuary and it’s also got some excellent wheeler [...]

Red Rock State Park

Location: Sedonahttp://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/redrock.html
Everybody and their mother goes to Slide Rock Park when they do Sedona. Forget that and go to the local hangout – Red Rock Park. The area isnt quite as scenic but its plenty accessible.
I havent explored all the paths but there is a great wooden bridge over the creek and the trail I [...]