🌤 Weather at Roper Lake State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39–91 °F | 63–100 °F | 37–93 °F | 30–67 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Safford Ag Ctr, 4 mi away, elevation 2,954 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Official Guide: Roper Lake State Park — A 32-acre desert oasis near Safford, Arizona (Graham County) — featuring a sandy swimming beach, fishing for bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie + seasonal rainbow trout, 8 shoreline camping cabins with lake views, 3 campgrounds (RV + tent), 5 miles of hiking trails, the Dos Arroyos Trail at Dankworth Pond with a re-created historic Indian village, boating (electric motors/non-motorized), and desert wildlife viewing.
Roper Lake State Park is a surprising desert oasis in southern Arizona’s Gila Valley — a 32-acre lake surrounded by rugged desert terrain and framed by distant mountain views. The park offers an unusual combination: a sandy swimming beach, excellent warm-water fishing, shoreline camping cabins, and a fascinating re-created historic Indian village at nearby Dankworth Pond.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Safford, AZ — Graham County |
| Lake | Roper Lake — 32 acres |
| Dankworth Pond | Sub-unit — 3 mi south (included with entry) |
| Former Hot Springs | ⚠️ Permanently closed (filled 2019) |
| Dogs | Welcome — NOT on swimming beach |
Accommodations
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Cabins | 8 shoreline — lake views, patios, picnic tables (communal restrooms) |
| Cottonwood CG | RV + tent — electric/water hookups |
| Gila CG | RV + tent — electric/water hookups |
| Hacienda CG | RV + tent — electric/water hookups |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Sandy beach — Roper Lake |
| Fishing | Bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie + rainbow trout (winter) |
| Boating | Electric motors + non-motorized — no gas |
| Hiking | 5 mi — Roper Lake + Dos Arroyos Trail at Dankworth |
| Indian Village | Dankworth Pond — re-created historic dwellings/artifacts |
| Bird Watching | Desert + riparian habitat — diverse species |
| Camping | 3 campgrounds — hookups available |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hot springs still open?
No — the natural stone hot tub was permanently closed in November 2019. The site was filled with dirt and rocks for safety and maintenance reasons and is no longer accessible.
What is Dankworth Pond?
Dankworth Pond is a sub-unit of Roper Lake State Park located about 3 miles south. It offers additional fishing (bass, catfish, trout) and the Dos Arroyos Trail, which leads to a re-created historic Indian village with traditional dwellings. Your Roper Lake entry ticket covers both areas.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Dankworth Pond State Park (a short drive away) and Oracle State Park (elsewhere in the state).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Arizona state parks online at azstateparks.com.
⛺ Camping at Roper Lake State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 50 sites — Hacienda: 20 sites, water+electric (20/30 amp). Cottonwood: 25 sites, water+electric (20/30/50 amp), small shade ramada. Gila: 5 non-electric sites. Most sites accommodate vehicles up to 45 ft. Separate 14-site group camp area at Gila. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 8 cabins lining the lake, named (incl. Mustang, Roadrunner, Coyote, Hummingbird, Bass, Bear, Elk, Lion); bunk beds and/or full-size beds, electricity, AC/heat, picnic table, charcoal grill. Available year-round. $129/night + $5 reservation fee. Max 4 adults/6 total. Pets allowed only in Mustang, Roadrunner, Coyote, Hummingbird, Bass cabins (not Bear, Elk, Lion). |
| Pets | Must be leashed, cleaned up after; not allowed at swimming beach. Fully fenced dog park available. Cabins: pets only in specific cabins (see cabins field). |
| Reservations | Online or 1-877-MY PARKS (697-2757), 7 days/week 8am-5pm MST. Day-use fee ($10 1 person/$20 2-4 people/$5 individual-bicycle) valid same-day at both Roper Lake SP and Dankworth Pond. |
| Special sites | 14-site group camp area at Gila; 3 group ramadas (Island, max 50 people; East Mesa; West Hill) with tables/grills/water, reservation fee applies. |
| Season notes | Entrance gate closed nightly at 9pm. Modified holiday hours: Thanksgiving/Christmas Eve 8am-2pm, closed Christmas. |
Camping questions about Roper Lake State Park
Can you camp at Roper Lake State Park?
Yes. Roper Lake State Park has 50 campsites. Hacienda: 20 sites, water+electric (20/30 amp). Cottonwood: 25 sites, water+electric (20/30/50 amp), small shade ramada. Gila: 5 non-electric sites. Most sites accommodate vehicles up to 45 ft. Separate 14-site group camp area at Gila.
How do you reserve a campsite at Roper Lake State Park?
Online or 1-877-MY PARKS (697-2757), 7 days/week 8am-5pm MST. Day-use fee ($10 1 person/$20 2-4 people/$5 individual-bicycle) valid same-day at both Roper Lake SP and Dankworth Pond.
Are there cabins at Roper Lake State Park?
8 cabins lining the lake, named (incl. Mustang, Roadrunner, Coyote, Hummingbird, Bass, Bear, Elk, Lion); bunk beds and/or full-size beds, electricity, AC/heat, picnic table, charcoal grill. Available year-round. $129/night + $5 reservation fee. Max 4 adults/6 total. Pets allowed only in Mustang, Roadrunner, Coyote, Hummingbird, Bass cabins (not Bear, Elk, Lion).
Are pets allowed at the Roper Lake State Park campground?
Must be leashed, cleaned up after; not allowed at swimming beach. Fully fenced dog park available. Cabins: pets only in specific cabins (see cabins field).
Source: azstateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Roper Lake State Park
Park policy: Roper Lake keeps a fully fenced dog park where your dog can get some air away from the campsites, and the park's posted rules require pets to be leashed, cleaned up after and kept off the swimming beach.
- Pets allowed?
- Fenced dog park on site; pets barred from the swimming beach and three cabins
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Dogs must be tethered on a leash 6 feet or shorter at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No single statewide swim-beach rule; some parks provide designated dog beaches (e.g. Cattail Cove's dog beach).
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pet-friendly cabins and camping are offered at several parks (e.g. Alamo Lake, Dead Horse Ranch, Lyman Lake); dogs are not allowed in the cabins at Lost Dutchman State Park.
- Park-specific rules
- Only the Mustang, Roadrunner, Coyote, Hummingbird and Bass cabins take pets - the Bear, Elk and Lion cabins allow none, with no exceptions. Limit two pets per cabin plus a $10 pet fee.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Buckskin Mountain and River Island State Parks have fenced off-leash dog parks for registered guests.
Are dogs allowed at Roper Lake State Park?
Fenced dog park on site; pets barred from the swimming beach and three cabins.
Beyond that, Arizona’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via azstateparks.com. More: Arizona state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Roper Lake State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
