Kingman, located in northwest Arizona, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. With its desert climate and proximity to lakes, mountains, and canyons, Kingman offers year-round opportunities for enjoying parks and the great outdoors.
From expansive regional parks with hiking trails and sports facilities to small neighborhood playgrounds and green spaces, Kingman has something for visitors and residents of all ages. This article explores 12 of the best parks in Kingman, giving an overview of the amenities and activities available at each one.
Metcalfe Park
Metcalfe Park is one of Kingman’s most popular community parks thanks to its central location and wealth of amenities. Spanning 40 acres just north of I-40, this park contains plenty of grassy areas for picnics, two playgrounds for kids, a skate park with ramps, and four ball fields that host seasonal sports leagues.
Visitors can also enjoy the park’s walking paths that wind through landscaped areas and rose gardens. Some of Metcalfe Park’s special amenities include horseshoe pits, barbecue grills and pavilions for rent, and a brand new 18-hole disc golf course. With restroom facilities and ample parking, Metcalfe Park provides the perfect green space for everything from family reunions to youth baseball practice.
Hualapai Mountain Park
Nestled into Arizona’s Hualapai Mountains, Hualapai Mountain Park offers a cool, pine-forested retreat during Kingman’s hot summer months. Spanning 640 acres of publicly owned land, this regional park contains one of the very few stands of ponderosa pine found at this elevation in Arizona.
Outdoors enthusiasts will find plenty to do here no matter the season. An extensive trail system provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when conditions permit. Equestrians also enjoy riding through the park’s meadows and forests. Other amenities include a campground, rustic cabins, picnic sites with grills, a children’s fishing pond, archery range and two disc golf courses.
Wildlife like elk, deer and various bird species also inhabit the park. With elevations ranging from 5,000 to nearly 8,500 feet, Hualapai Mountain Park allows both locals and visitors multiple opportunities to escape the desert heat by heading for the pines.
Cervantes Park
For baseball lovers visiting Kingman, Cervantes Park is a must-see destination thanks to its complex of four fields suitable for competitive tournament play. This park spanning 33 acres southeast of downtown Kingman also contains covered bleacher seating, convenient parking, batting cages, and the Kingman Academy of Learning ball field.
When games are not scheduled, families and friends frequently gather at Cervantes Park to enjoy a casual picnic under shade trees or cheer on players during a pickup baseball game. The park offers both grassy and dirt open space to throw a ball or frisbee and features playground equipment tucked into a corner. Restrooms and lighting allow for both daytime and evening activities. Whether you want to watch serious hardball competition or spend a relaxing afternoon listening to the crack of the bat at Cervantes Park, this facility provides a quintessential ball field experience in Kingman.
Lewis Kingman Park
Historic Lewis Kingman Park offers visitors a glimpse into Kingman’s early settler roots as well as recreational amenities both new and old. Located adjacent to the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, this small but centrally located park commemorates Lewis Kingman who established the mining town of Kingman in 1882.
Park highlights include the iconic Beale Street Train Locomotive on display, a playground area, basketball courts, and band shell for concerts and events. Visitors can also enjoy cultural exhibits inside the museum as well as summer art shows hosted on the grounds. Whether you want to host a family picnic under shade trees or let the kids exhaust some energy at the playground, Lewis Kingman Park welcomes both residents and tourists to learn about and experience Keyman’s rich mining and ranching heritage.
Mountain View Park
In the southern part of Kingman just west of Highway 93 lies Mountain View Park, spanning 90 acres of recreational facilities and open space. Sports lovers can enjoy the park’s baseball field, soccer field overlays, basketball courts and tennis court surfaces.
Families will appreciate playground areas for both bigger and smaller kids as well as onsite restroom facilities. Visitors can also access the extensive trail network threading through Mountain View Park that also connects to nearby Centennial Park. These natural surface trails provide excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities with varying topography, native vegetation and views of the Hualapai Mountains.
Other park amenities include covered ramadas with grills for picnicking events and social gatherings, water fountains, and security lighting for evening safety. Whether you come to Mountain View Park for some sweaty sporting fun or a more relaxed hike through desert trails, this large multi-use park welcomes all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts.
Patriot Park
One of Kingman’s most popular community parks for families, Patriot Park packs numerous amenities into its 25 acres just north of Interstate 40. Located adjacent to Kingman Academy of Learning, the park’s namesake patriotic theme sets it apart with a memorial to veterans.
Kids will enjoy playground areas suited for all age groups including swings, climbing structures, animal sculptures, and imaginative playhouses. Families and groups can make use of the green open space and covered ramadas that each contain picnic tables and barbecue grills for events. Six pickleball courts provide opportunities for this fast-growing paddle sport, and two lighted tennis courts allow for nighttime games.
Other amenities include sand volleyball, basketball courts, water fountains, nearby restrooms, and Hualapai Mountain views. With its central location, patriotic ambiance and recreational variety, Patriot Park in Kingman offers accessible community fun for locals and visitors of all ages.
Centennial Park
Marking Arizona’s centennial anniversary in 2012, Kingman’s aptly named Centennial Park serves as a popular gathering space for community events and outdoor recreation. The signature feature is a concrete plaza with an impressive hydraulophone musical instrument that sprays jets of water.
Visitors can create liquid melodies by blocking different water jets that each emit a distinct musical note. Small children enjoy interacting with the hydraulophone’s short jets, while displays illustrate famous songs to play like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The park’s amphitheater accommodates performances and summer concert events for all ages to enjoy.
Families also appreciate Centennial Park’s playground, walking paths, basketball court, and open grass areas to run free. Restrooms, picnic tables, barbecue grills and shade ramadas add convenience for group picnics or parties. Located just north of I-40, Kingman’s Centennial Park both celebrates Arizona history and brings community members together through interactive music and accessible recreation.
Cunningham Park
Nature lovers visiting Kingman will want to experience the walking trails and wildlife habitat at Ward Cunningham Memorial Park. Nestled against the eastern slope of the Hualapai Mountains, this 42-acre desert park contains an easy mile-long interpretive trail highlighted by 16 educational signs.
Visitors can learn about local flora and fauna while observing cascabel cactus, mesquite, agave, jojoba, and other native plants. The park also serves as a refuge for Gambel’s quail, dove, jackrabbits and other resident wildlife. Additional amenities include picnic ramadas, playground equipment, horseshoe pits and two sports courts.
The scenic location against a stunning mountain backdrop makes Cunningham Park ideal for low-key recreational activities like hiking and birdwatching as well as holding small family gatherings. Pets are also permitted on leash. With mild winters and light crowds, Cunningham Park gives both residents and Kingman visitors ample opportunities to connect with nature by exploring high desert habitats.
College Park
Kingman locals know College Park best for its popular batting cages where aspiring baseball and softball players can sharpen their skills. The park also features lighted tennis courts, basketball hoops, and a multi-use grass field suitable for soccer practice or hosting carnivals.
A large playground with climbing structures and swings keeps kids entertained for hours. College Park’s picnic ramadas provide shade for hosting barbeques or individual quiet time, and convenient parking means the 7-acre green space easily accommodates pickup games or big events without residential disruption.
Although located adjacent to Mohave Community College, College Park offers recreational facilities open and welcoming to entire the Kingman community. Whether you visit the batting cages weekly to coach Little League players or simply desire some open outdoor space for exercise and relaxation, College Park delivers casual recreation without pretension.
Gold Road BMX Track
While not a traditional community park, Kingman’s BMX track at Gold Road Park provides a unique and thrilling recreational opportunity for bicycle motocross enthusiasts. Housed inside the fenced Gold Road Park just off Highway 68, this public track lets BMX riders of all skill levels experience the jumps, banked turns and bumps of an official BMX racing course.
The track is completely illuminated for night riding and contains starting gates to practice competitive hole shot starts. Riders soar over tabletop jumps and swoop through berms pressed into the side of a hill. A scenic desert backdrop surrounds the BMX course with mature saguaros dotting the landscape.
No fee or registration is necessary for using the public Gold Road track where one might encounter recreational riders as young as three honing their freestyle jumps alongside serious competitors reaching speeds of 40mph in practice runs. For a safe place to feel the adrenaline rush of BMX riding, Kingman locals recommend stopping by the Gold Road BMX Track.
Mulligan Park
Named after the golf term, Mulligan Park offers a more manicured recreational experience on Kingman’s northeast side. Located adjacent the Chaparral Country Club, this aptly named green space spans just over 5 meticulously maintained acres featuring playground equipment, walking paths, fitness stations and decorative arbors with benches for resting.
Visitors enter under a handsomeentry sign flanked by two water fountains before accessing the park’s signature arched shade structure covering picnic tables. Kids delight in the playground while parents and seniors utilize the six exercise stops with instructions for simple toning and cardio workouts.
Landscaping includes natural boulders along with indigenous shrubs, flowers and stands of mesquite trees. The peaceful, well-appointed aesthetic at Mulligan Park creates an appealing outdoor space for taking a quiet walk, enjoying a family picnic or gathering with friends without encountering rowdy crowds. Whether residents or first-time visitors to Kingman, Mulligan Park’s convenient location, amenities and attractive environment offer a refined recreational experience for all.
Sunrise Park
On Kingman’s rapidly growing north side, Sunrise Park provides much needed community recreation space for new housing developments. Phase 1 of plans for the 40-acre park have already brought playground equipment, walking paths, picnic ramadas, a basketball court and multi-use open grass field to delighted area families.
Plans for further phases include more playgrounds, a splash pad, skate park, sand volleyball, pickleball courts, a fitness course and off-leash dog park. Visitors enjoy amazing views overlooking the Hualapai Valley and surrounding mountain ranges from this elevated park site.
Pending additional funding and county approvals, Kingman officials intend for Sunrise Park to anchor recreational amenities on the north side as developments expand. With so much energetic growth on this side of town, Sunrise Park both meets immediate neighborhood needs and provides a bright “sunrise” looking towards Kingman’s recreational future.
Conclusion
With year-round sunny weather against the picturesque backdrop of surrounding mountain ranges, Kingman offers outdoor enthusiasts countless opportunities to enjoy area parks. From neighborhood playgrounds like Patriot Park to vast multi-use recreation spaces like Sunrise Park still under development, Kingman contains accessible green space benefiting residents of all ages.
Visitors enjoy exploring historical parks like Lewis Kingman as well as regionally unique parks like the Gold Road BMX Track. Whether you seek structured activities, open space for free play or scenic trails to immerse in desert habitats, Kingman’s parks system provides plenty of options for all interests.
As the city’s population grows over time, county planners continue developing more neighborhood parks and expanding popular recreation sites so both locals and tourists can better appreciate Kingman’s natural assets. For nearly any type of outdoor activity under sunny Arizona skies, Kingman boasts the parks and amenities to enrich experiences for families, solo travelers and everyone in between.