(17) Meet the Flintstones, Near Williams Photo by richard maack

17 Meet the Flintstones Near Williams
Introduce the kids to bona fide Hanna-Barbera 1960s cartoon culture by taking them to Bedrock City, a small theme park where Flintstones cartoons run continuously. There is onsite camping with showers (we’re pretty sure they’ve upgraded from the woolly mammoths that spray water with their trunks). At Fred’s Diner, you’ll recoup your fuel expenses with 5-cent coffee, and at $2.95, even the Bronto Burgers are priced for the modern Stone Age family. Have a “yabba dabba doo” time.
Elevation: 6,940 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north and merge onto I-40 west. Take the Highway 64 exit toward Williams/Grand Canyon. Turn right onto Highway 64 and continue 27 miles to Bedrock City.
Driving Time: 3 hours, 21 minutes (201 miles)
Hours: Theme park: 6 a.m. to sunset; Fred’s Diner: 6 a.m. to
8:30 p.m.
Admission: $5
Lodging: $12 for two; $1.50 for each additional person.
Utility hookups are extra.
Info: 928-635-2600 or bedrockcityaz.com

Timing Is Everything
Most parts of the state are desirable vacation spots any time of the year, but specific regions definitely see an influx of visitors during certain months. Northern Arizona receives most of its visitors in July, August and September. The West Coast’s peak season is in October, November and December. North Central Arizona sees a steady stream of visitors throughout the year, but its busiest months are April, May and June. And Phoenix,
Central Arizona, Tucson and Southern Arizona entertain more visitors than ever in the cooler months of January, February and March.
— Source: Arizona Office of Tourism


18 Slide Rock State Park Sedona
Named by Life magazine as one of America’s top 10 most beautiful swimming holes, Slide Rock State Park belongs on your summertime must-do list. Visitors go “water sliding” down the smooth rocks and slick natural water slide. The area was a Hollywood hit back in the day, with such actors as John Wayne (Angel and the Badman, 1946), James Stewart (Broken Arrow, 1950) and Rock Hudson (Gun Fury, 1953) filming scenes there. Go early. During summer months it’s not unheard of for cars to queue up and encroach the highway.
Elevation: 5,000 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north to Highway 179. Go north toward Sedona. Turn right at Highway 89A Alt and follow it northeast to Slide Rock State Park, about six miles north of Sedona.
Driving Time: 2 hours (122 miles)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5, 6, or 7 p.m., depending on the sunset
Admission: $10 park entrance fee
Lodging: visitsedona.com
Info: 928-282-3034 or pr.state.az.us/parks/-SLRO

Travel tip: Even in the dead of summer, the water at Slide Rock State Park can be downright chilly, so be prepared with an extra towel to warm your frosty feet. Speaking of feet, this is a natural body of water, so avoid those pokey pebbles on the surface by wearing a pair of water socks while you wade. Also call ahead to check water quality.

19 Arizona ATV Outlaw Trail Jamboree Eagar
This isn’t your Great Grandaddy’s trail ride. ATV enthusiasts should saddle up for the sixth-annual Arizona ATV Outlaw Trail Jamboree, where a variety of guided ATV rides cover terrain through tall pine, spruce and aspen trees. One ride overlooks the home of Ike Clanton (of OK Corral Gunfight fame), and another cuts through high country where John Wayne had his summer range for his Eagar ranch. Here, trail “holdups,” nightly poker games and even a GPS treasure hunt are the norm. “It’s just one big ATV party,” says coordinator Debbie Rogers. This year’s jamboree is scheduled for September 8-12. Registration began January 15.
Elevation: 7,090 to 9,000 feet
Directions: Take US 60 through Show Low into Springerville. Go south on US 191 into Eagar. At the traffic light, turn left and drive about two miles to the Apache County Rodeo Grounds.
Driving Time: 3 hours, 46 minutes (226 miles)
Hours: Events are scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Admission: $150 includes breakfasts, Friday pit BBQ and Forest Service fees. Proceeds go toward establishing permanent, interconnecting ATV trails in the White Mountains.
Lodging: Visit azatvoutlawtrail.com/extra/jamboree.php for camping, RV and hotel/motel information.
Info: 866-520-3569 or azatvoutlawtrail.com