Arizona has announced that 13 state parks, including the Tombstone Courthouse and the Yuma Territorial Prison, would be closed due to budget deficits.

The State Parks Board unanimously voted on Friday to lock 13 parks by June 3, 2010.

Red Rock State Park, which drew tens of thousands of tourists, will also be closed.

Commenting on the topic, system's executive director Renee Bahl said, "It's a dark day for the Arizona state parks system."

The Arizona State Park Board has slashed the state parks budget by around 61 per cent since July.

Currently, Arizona's Parks Department has a budget of around $7.5 million as compared with $19.3 million in July.

Most of the budget is generated from entry fees, event fees, tour fees and cabin rentals.

Last year, five state parks were closed due to budget deficits.