PLEIN AIR EVENTS SPONSORED BY APAA:

Fall 2025 through spring 2026December 14 – Water Users, Salt River 

December 14 – Water Users, Salt River - see below

January 11 - Prospector Park

January 18 – Superstition Mountains - see below

February 8 - Brown's Ranch

February 14 - Sheeps Crossing 

February 22 – Phon D Sutton - see below

March 15 - Jewels of Cave Creek 

March 22 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum - see below

March 28 - Saguaro Lake

April 5 – Paint Arizona Day 

 December 14 – Water Users Recreation Area, Salt River

• Meeting Location: Picnic Area

• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Host: Leila Langston leilalangston@hotmail.com

• Fee: $8 Tonto Daily Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass

• Map Link: Google Maps Search Term: “Water Users Recreation Area, Tonto Basin, AZ 85553”

• Restrooms: Yes

• About the Site: A favorite spot along the Salt River, with chances to see wild horses, reflective water, and dramatic desert backdrops.

January 18 – Lost Dutchman State Park (Superstition Mountains)

• Meeting Location: Siphon Draw Parking Lot (or overflow lot)

• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Host: Kat Hansen

• Fee: $10 per vehicle (1 person), or State Park Pass

• Map Link: Google Maps Search Term: “Goldfield Road & Lost Dutchman Blvd, Apache Junction, AZ 85119”

• Restrooms: Limited / None at Siphon Draw lot

• About the Site: Rugged mountains, colorful rock formations, and desert flora make this an inspiring plein air location in the cooler winter months.

 

February 22 – Phon D Sutton Recreation Area, Salt River

• Meeting Location: Main Parking Lot

• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Host: Leila Langston

• Fee: $8 Tonto Daily Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass

• Map Link: Google Maps Search Term: “Phon D Sutton Recreation Area, Mesa, AZ”

• Restrooms: Yes

• About the Site: Another gem along the Salt River, offering peaceful riverbanks, mesquite trees, and panoramic desert skies.

March 22 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Tentative)

• Meeting Location: Main Entrance 

• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Host: Gary Binder (tentative)

• Fee:  APAP will pay for members

• Map Link: 37615 E. Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173

• About the Site: Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, with trails winding through cactus gardens, desert flora, and dramatic mountain backdrops.

April 5 – Paint Arizona Day 

(APAA will not host, but members are encouraged to attend events hosted by PAPA or Sonoran Plein Air Painters)