Planning time away is almost just as much fun as the actual time when you are in the moments of a vacation. When I do research for our adventures, I actually enjoy the element of surprise, therefore I try not to find out too much – and, WOW, this last SUP trip to Roper Lake State Park (#38 on our Arizona Standup Paddle List) was a stunning surprise, as soon as we arrived!
Upon entry into the park, snow-capped 10,717 foot Mount Graham, set the backdrop in the Pinaleno Mountains framing this remote, modest lake. It is located in the southeast part of Arizona 6 miles south of Safford. It is clean, quiet, had extremely scenic hiking, was 78 degrees by day, and refreshingly cold in the morning and night. How grand it is to enjoy a paddle and have that expensive view!
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Roper Lake (and Dankworth Pond complex) is home to amphibians, turtles, lizards, snakes, over 60 species of birds, and many common mammal species all present within park boundaries.
Paddling around or enjoying five miles of trails in the park allow you to get a good look at the wildlife and scenery.
The lake is surrounded by a mix of agricultural land and desert scrub including creosote bush, tarbush, mesquite, agave, barrel cacti, and ocotillo.
We love finding the isolated places on the map, but grabbing our standup paddle boards, friends or family, and exploring the easily accessible state parks is a pleasurable, no brainer trip.
