9 Best Arizona Resorts with Water Parks

There are several amazing resorts located throughout Arizona, especially in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area, that boasts unique water park amenities, such as water slides, lazy rivers, and luxurious swimming pools. These resorts provide a great destination for family vacations, couple getaways, or locals simply looking for a place to have a staycation. All of these resorts with water parks have attractions for both children and adults alike. In addition to pools and slides, several have pool bar, cabanas for rent, or even kid clubs and summer camps.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

9 Best Arizona Resorts with Water Parks

• Oasis Water Park, Photo: Oasis Water Park
• Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, Photo: Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
• Water parks in AZ: Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Photo: Courtesy of Viliam - Fotolia.com
• The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Photo: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
• JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Photo: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
• Water Parks in AZ: The Wigwam, Photo: The Wigwam
• Water parks in AZ: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Photo: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
• Water Parks in AZ: Arizona Biltmore, Photo: Arizona Biltmore
• The Phoenician, Photo: The Phoenician
• Cover Photo: Courtesy of n_u_t - Fotolia.com

More Ideas: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Ajo, Arizona, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve where visitors can learn about history, ecology, and geology while experiencing the great outdoors. The monument provides several campsites for both RV and tent-based campers. These include the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, Twin Peaks Campground, and Alamo Canyon Campground. With a variety of scenic hikes, picturesque driving routes, and even equestrian trails, the monument’s many treasures can be discovered in a variety of ways.

History

The original inhabitants of the land now dedicated to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument were the Hohokam Native Americans. This culture was divided into two separate cultures now known as the Tohono O'odham and the Hia-Ced O'odham cultures. Europeans started arriving in the 16th century. By the late 17th century, a prominent trade route known as the Camino del Diablo was established by Father Eusebio Kino, who was also responsible for introducing livestock grazing to the area. In addition to mining, ranching remained a big part of the local economy up until FDR designated this area as the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The mid-20th century saw the creation of the Park Service Visitor Center, the first campgrounds and the rehabilitation of Quitobaquito Springs. After the last cattle were removed from the park, UNESCO declared this site as an International Biosphere Reserve. It remains one of 56 such sites in the United States and attracts scientists from around the world, who conduct studies that help us better understand the impact of humanity on this unique landscape. In the 1990s, the area began to see an increase in illegal drug smuggling and cross-border criminal activity, prompting the construction of a vehicle barrier aimed to address this issue. The completion of the vehicle barrier and pedestrian fence, as well as the addition of a border patrol station, all contributed to increased security of the monument, which saw its visitation rates increase by 25% in 2015.

Animals

The ecosystem within which the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located is home to a variety of animals. Despite their reclusive nature, the desert bighorn sheep, an animal widely seen as emblematic of the Western canons and deserts, can be spotted on occasion. Most active in the early mornings and evenings, they are known for their beautiful curving horns and light-colored fur.

Bird watching enthusiasts will have ample opportunities to observe several avian species as they move along their migratory flyways over the monument. A staggering total of 270 species of birds has been spotted at the monument over the years. Of these, 36 species have been designated as resident species. Among these, the elf owl, northern cardinal, and Costa’s hummingbird are just a few. Visitors keen on observing the winged wonders are advised to congregate around Ajo Mountain Drive, Twin peaks Campground, and the Kris Eggle Visitor center.

Quitobaquito Springs

A remarkable desert oasis located within the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Quitobaquito Springs offers a remarkable array of ecological wonders. The oldest artifacts that have been discovered in this area date back 16,000 years. The area’s first inhabitants were the Hia-Ced O'odham and the Tohono O'odham people. Back then, the region was part of the Old Salt Trail, which transported goods such as salt, obsidian, and seashells from salt beds located in Sonora, Mexico. Father Eusebio Francisco Kino was one of the area’s first European inhabitants. Almost 200 years later, Andrew Dorsey expanded the spring, deepening it and adding a dam. Over the years, the area underwent many transformations that included further expansion and the installation of a parking lot and hiking trails to accommodate visitors. Due to the park’s intensive focus on preservation, visitors can see a myriad of the spring’s unique animal inhabitants. Among these are the endangered Quitobaquito pupfish, Sonoyta mud turtles, and the Quitobaquito spring snail.

Peaks

The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has many mountains named after people who have been influential in its development. One such peak, called Kino Peak, shares its name with one of the first missionaries who settled in the area. Father Eusebio Francisco Kino was a multi-talented individual who was known as an explorer, cosmographer, geographer, and writer. During his lifetime, he was instrumental in establishing missions all over Arizona, New Mexico, and Sonora, Mexico.

Montezuma’s Head Monolith can be found north of the Ajo Mountains. This natural monument is composed from layers upon layers of volcanic rock. Beyond its natural beauty, this landmark holds a great deal of cultural significance for the Tohono O'odham and Hia-Ced O'odham nations, who still pay homage to the site. This sacred place features prominently in the stories and legends of the Native Americans who live in the area.

10 Organ Pipe Drive, Ajo, AZ 85321, Phone: 520-387-6849

More Things to do in Arizona

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More Ideas: Children’s Museum Tucson

The Children’s Museum Tucson, AZ, is designed for children of all ages to discover, explore and learn through play. Located in a historic building with a spacious courtyard in the heart of downtown Tucson, Arizona, the Children’s Museum was established to provide interactive, fun-filled, play-based learning experiences to inspire children to reach their full potential. The Museum features 14 galleries of immersive, hands-on exhibits, including Art Studio, Investigation Station, Electri-City, Bodyology, Ocean Discovery Center, and more.

The Children’s Museum Tucson also has an outdoor courtyard area where the learning experience continues with exhibits such as Imagination Blocks, the Playhouse, a sand pit, fountain and scented garden.

The Museum features 14 galleries of immersive, hands-on exhibits that cater for children of all ages and their families. Exhibits range from the Gravity Room, Build It!, Electri-City and Investigation Station to Art Studio, Ocean Discovery Center, Wee World, and more.

The Gravity Room features an array of exciting displays and components that defy gravity such as a gravity maze, Marble Madness, Caterpillar Thriller, Ball Wall, and Spin the Recycle Bicycle Wheel. The Mini Nano Exhibit teaches children about things on the nanoscale and how nanoscience is used in everyday life, while Techtopia offers a fun-filled digital trip through bugs, shadow mosaics, and reading.

Build It! Is a new exhibit that inspires budding engineers and architects to create, explore and connect with effective problem solving and experiential building. This show features over-sized construction materials for children to experiment with in engaging ways, such as Imagination Blocks, Lego, Kiva Planks, and Rig-Ama-Jig.

Wee World is designed for children under the age of four and features a playhouse with a slide, a rock climbing wall, a carrot car and more, while Imaginarium is an innovative, creative space where children can allow their inner artists to emerge and create their own masterpieces.

The Investigation Station features a range of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities where kids can use their bodies to make colorful balls rise and fall with the ‘Power Pump Seats’ exhibit, and test their juggling skills with the ‘Bernoulli Blowers.’

The Bodyology exhibit explores health and fitness with moving oversized body parts that make sounds such as a large eye lens, a yodeling mouth, a snorting nose and a pair of breathing lungs. The exhibit also features a farmer’s market, a treehouse, orchard, and vegetable garden, where kids can pick fruit and deliver it from the farm to the grocery store.

The Pet Vet exhibit introduces children to the field of veterinary science and allows children to become animal doctors by donning lab coats, checking vital signs and visiting the grooming station. Electri-City explores the component of electricity, how to conserve resources and prevent a power outage.

The Whistle Stop Gallery offers kids the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a train and act as train engineers with an onboard camera and imagine traversing which makes for a real-life train driving experience. The Public Safety exhibit teaches children all about public safety where they can climb don a fire helmet and climb into a fire truck, learn about fire safety, and explore a new ambulance.

Children’s Museum Tucson offers an array of age-appropriate educational programs that inspire discovery, creativity, and learning. Programs include guided learning activities and demonstrations, and exploration of the Museum for groups of ten or more children.

Pre-K & K programs include the Art of Color, It Makes Sense!, Let's Get Fit!, Explore the "M" in STEM, and Electricity Investigators - Power Up!. First to Third Grade Programs include Grossology, Up In The Air, and Math Mosaics, while First to Fourth Grade Programs includes Electricity Investigators - Power Up!.

Children’s Museum Tucson is located at 200 South 6th Avenue, in Tucson and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Museum has a vending machine that sells healthy drinks and snacks and has several picnic tables dotted around the Courtyard to enjoy an outdoor lunch. The Museum can be rented for birthday parties and special occasions.

Back to: Best Things to Do in Tucson, Arizona

200 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701, Phone: 520-792-9985

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