Samantha Incorvaia

azcentral sports

Put away the electronics, grab the kids and enjoy some fresh air on the ninth annual National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 11. About 180 national parks and forests across the nation, including seven in Arizona, are waiving fees for day-use amenities like trailheads, picnic grounds and visitor centers.

The goal of National Get Outdoors Day, created by the American Recreation Coalition, USDA Forest Service and other partners, is to promote an active lifestyle and motivate first-time visitors to learn about nature.

"This is an event that isn't hard to sell," Ben Nasta, American Recreation Coalition director of communications, said. "We're introducing all sorts of fun to have right in their backyard."

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Here are places you can get outdoors, have fun and save money.

Salt River Tubing in Mesa is celebrating National Get Outdoors day with its Salt River Pirates event from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the first 1,000 guests receive a free pirate bandana. Dress the part because there's a costume contest and winners receive free tubing passes. There will be vendors, pirate-themed line dancers and entertainment from KISS-FM 104.7 radio station, including water cannon battles, Pirate Coin Grabbers, contests and giveaways. Tube rentals cost $17, which includes shuttle service to the put-in area. Bring your own tube and pay $14 instead.

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You won't have to purchase a $5 Red Rock Pass to hike and play in the Red Rock Ranger District, which covers Sedona. Admission to the Palatki, Honanki and V Bar V cultural sites also is free on June 11. Fees will still be required at Grasshopper Point, Crescent Moon Ranch and Call of the Canyon Day-Use Area. In Flagstaff, there will be ranger walks and talks all day, starting with a guided walk through Babbitt Spring at 8:30 a.m. and ending with an astronomy program at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

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The Santa Catalina Ranger District encompassing Tucson will offer a lizard observation walk at Sabino Canyon at 8:30 a.m., and a Junior Ranger table will be near the Visitor Center from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be a guided wildflower hike on nearby Mount Lemmon. Reservations are necessary. Email David Dean at ddean@shc.edu.

The Sierra Vista Ranger District will celebrate the event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will host a fishing clinic and Raven’s Way Wild Journeys will lead nature walks at 10 a.m. and noon. Families can also interact with live reptiles from the Huachuca Herpetological Association, test their skills at a BB-gun range from the National Wild Turkey Federation and try archery from JT’s Archery. The Lakeview Campground is also a "fee free" day thanks to National Get Outdoor Day.

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Fees are waived at Forest Service-managed day-use sites.

Parker Canyon Lake, off State Route 83 south of Sonoita, is a great place to try fishing, kayaking, boating and mountain biking. There is no day-use fee but camping fees remain in effect.

Nearby, the Mountain Summer Festival is June 11 and 12 at the Sonoita Fairgrounds on State Route 83. Artists and vendors will showcase their creations and local restaurants will offer samples. Admission is $5, free for age 12 and younger.

Day-use fees at Lynx Lake Recreation Area's north and south shores and Lynx Creek Ruin will be waived. Guests can also visit Granite Basin Recreation Area's boat launch, Metate trailhead and the Playa, Cayuse and Wekuvde picnic areas. Day use at the Alto Pit OHV Recreation Area and Mingus Lake will also be free.

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Picnic site fees will be waived Saturday at several lakes within the Tonto National Forest. Fees will still apply at developed campgrounds, boat launch ramps, shorelines and sites with concessions.

Fee-free picnic sites will include:

Apache Lake - Burnt Corral.

Bartlett Lake - Rattlesnake.

Canyon Lake - Acacia and Boulder.

Saguaro Lake - Butcher Jones and Saguaro Del Norte.

Lower Salt River - Blue Point, Coon Bluff, Goldfield, Granite Reef, Pebble Beach and Phone D. Sutton.

Verde River - Needle Rock.

Republic reporter Lucas Robbins contributed to this story.