After a long day of driving or hiking, the natural hot springs at Roper Lake State Park are inviting and invigorating. Enjoy desert vegetation, an accessible fishing dock, and stunning views of Mount Graham. Roper Lake is stocked with Largemouth bass and Rainbow trout; it?s a great place for kids to catch their first fish. Boats are limited to small electric motors, creating ideal conditions for a sail board or a canoe. Enjoy five miles of trails in the park and nearby Dankworth Pond. Take advantage of excellent birdwatching and glimpse Gamble?s quail and heron. The park?s camping cabins offer an easy, fun camping experience.

Roper Lake has 30 lake surface acres, a boat ramp, natural stone hot tub, a swimming beach, a day use island with picnic tables and grills, camping cabins, and campgrounds. Reservations are available for camping cabins andselect campsites.

Roper Lake is an excellent place for bird watching. Species commonly seen are Gamble?s Quail, Redwing Blackbird, Yellow headed Blackbird, Great horned owl, Cardinal, flycatchers, Kingfisher, Mallard duck, Ruddy duck, Grebes, Egrets, Herons, and Mergansers.

Mammals commonly seen are bobcats, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes.

For a number of years Graham County had been working with its legislators to have a State Park in their county. In 1972, HB 2150 authorized the acquisition of Dead Horse Ranch as a State Park. The bill also included authorization to construct a lake and appropriated $150,000 for the construction of a 100 surface acre lake in Graham County to be operated as a State Park. Senator Ed Sawyer, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced the amendment to the bill.

Arizona offers a non-commercial standard pass for weekday use at all parks, including weekends at most parks and the non-commercial premium pass which includes weekend and holiday access to the parks. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is not included in either annual park pass. You can find additional Arizona Annual State Park Pass informataion and order online by visiting the ARIZONA ANNUAL STATE PARK PASS web page.

Eight cabins line the lake at Roper Lake State Park offering a plethora of recreational opportunities. Cabins at Roper Lake are variably furnished with bunk beds with mattresses and/or full size beds with mattress. The cabins are outfitted with electricity and air-conditioning/heating. Open flame as produced by candles and stove burners are not permitted in the cabins. Picnic tables and charcoal grills make for a well-equipped outdoor setting. Restrooms and showers are within walking distance. Cabins are available year-round.

Gila Group Area Campground: 15 campsites surrounding a large group Ramada with BBQ grills, large fire ring, and picnic tables. No electric in this area. Water is available. There is a 10-vehicle minimum to reserve the group area. Reservation fee in addition to camping fees applied per vehicle per night.

Hacienda Campground: 20 Water & Electric hookup sites. Each site includes fire rings, BBQ grills, and picnic tables. Hacienda campground has a bathroom with hot showers near entrance of campground. Most sites will accommodate a vehicle length of up to 45 feet. Electric hook-ups in Hacienda campground are 20 and 30 amp. Reservable sites: B, D, E, F, G, H, I, K.

Cottonwood Campground: 25 Water & Electric hookup sites. Each site includes fire rings, BBQ grills, picnic tables and a small shade Ramada. Cottonwood campground has a bathroom with hot showers. Most sites will accommodate a vehicle length of up to 45 feet. Electric hook-ups are 20, 30, and 50 amp. Reservable sites: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Gila Campground: The Gila Group campground is used as a non-electric campground when the area is not reserved. Sites include fire rings, BBQ grills, and picnic tables. Water is available at most sites. Electricity is not available in this area.

Camping Reservations: Reservations can be made up to 365 days in advance and a minimum of 14 days in advance. Only 40% of hook-up sites are reservable, the other sites are first-come, first-served. There is a non-refundable reservation fee. Reservable sites have a fee per night per vehicle for hookup. If second vehicle occupies the same site there is an additional fee. The second does not pay for the use of the utilities. To make a reservation, call the park directly at (928) 428-6760, seven days a week from 8 am ? 5 pm MST.

Upon arrival the site reserved must be occupied for the first night. If you would like to move to a different site you must contact the Ranger at the Visitor Center that you would like to move to a different site, and the Ranger will confirm that a non-reserved site is available. If you do not call or arrive the first night, the fee will be lost and the site you reserved will be given to another visitor. Occupying or holding other vacant sites is not allowed and grounds for eviction.

A maximum of 2 sites are reservable by one party. With Park Manager or Assistant Park Manager approval more campsites can be reserved. Reservations for weekend use will be for a minimum of 2 nights, Friday to 11 am Sunday. Holidays will be for a minimum of 3 nights, Friday to 11 am Monday.

The Roper Lake Visitor Center is open year round from 9 am ? 5 pm. It features a gift shop, local area information, Junior Ranger programs, and restrooms.