SAFFORD — March saw a reversal in the trend of declining attendance at the local state parks.
According to the most recent data released by Arizona Office of Tourism, Roper Lake and Dankworth Ponds state parks saw 7,616 people visit in March, a 9.7 percent increase in attendance over March 2025.
Data for the two parks are combined in the AOT report.
It was the first time in 2026 that attendance was up over the same time the previous year. January’s attendance was at 3,387, down 27 percent from 2025; and February’s attendance was at 4,832, down 13.9 percent from 2025.
Only eight state parks and recreational areas showed year-over-year growth in March, compared to 22 that saw declines.
In addition to Roper Lake and Dankworth Ponds, showing growth was Cattail Cover State Park (up 54.4 percent), Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area (up 29.8 percent), Homolovi State Park (up 15.1 percent), Lyman Lake State Park (up 42.3 percent), Patagonia Lake State Park (up 15 percent), Slide Rock State Park (up 44.6 percent) and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park (up 13.2 percent).
Slide Rock was the most visited state park in March, with 54,933 visitors, followed by Catalina State Park with 30,801 visitors, and Patagonia Lake State Park with 26,724 visitors.
While the monthly attendance was up, year-to-date totals continue to be below 2025. Through March, 15,835 people have visited Roper Lake and Dankworth Ponds, down 7.9 percent from the same time last year.
