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Hiking Arizona -- Maricopa County Parks
Maricopa County Parks and Trails! Arizona is home of one of the largest county park systems in the US! Rich and diverse, each has its own special character. And each features excellent multipurpose and hiking trails. Below is a listing of their 9 parks. They also feature many special outdoor events. For more information on all of the parks, please click here. All trails within a Maricopa County Park are designated for non-motorized use only (hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian). There are nine parks that circle the Phoenix-metropolitan area; all within a 45-minute drive from downtown. They are: Located north of Phoenix, this 2,922-acre park sits in the upper Sonoran Desert. Ranging in elevation from 2,000 feet to 3,060, this desert oasis provides any hiker and equestrian majestic views. The Go John Trail loops around a mountain to provide the illusion of being miles away from civilization. In the 1870s, fever stricken gold seekers staked their dreams on the jasper-studded hills. Guided trails to these sites give visitors an opportunity to travel back in time.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park These 19,840 acres of desert and mountains became the first regional park in the Maricopa County Park System in 1954. Located near the meeting of the Gila and Agua Fria Rivers in the southwest Valley, the park includes a large wetland, or riparian, area. The majority of the park remains pristine desert, very similar in appearance to the landscape seen by the first settlers and explorers. The Sierra Estrella range, or “Star” Mountains, was once within the Mexican border, and remained so until the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. Today, many amenities are available to visitors, including the only grass picnic area in the Maricopa County Park System. One of the most scenic water recreation areas in the “Valley of the Sun,” this northwest Valley park is a recreationist’s dream. The park offers many activities, such as camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. At the Lake Pleasant Visitor Center, guests learn about the history of the area and desert wildlife. Step out onto the balcony surrounding the Visitor Center to get a beautiful view of Lake Pleasant and an up-close look at Waddell Dam. The breathtaking views offer visitors a great place to relax, whether it is from a boat or shoreline picnic site. McDowell Mountain Regional Park Nestled in the lower Verde River basin, the 21,099-acre park is a desert jewel in the northeast Valley. Elevations in the park rise to 3,000 feet along the western boundary at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Visitors enjoy a full program schedule, over 50 miles of multiuse trails, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. A stroll through the park will allow visitors to likely see deer, javelina, birds, and coyotes. Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area The newest addition to Maricopa County’s Regional Parks System, the conservation area encompasses 2,154 acres of diverse, rugged upper Sonoran Desert. The north Valley location contains fascinating archaeology sites and lush riparian areas along Cave Creek, which flows throughout the winter months. Remnants of early mining and ranching, from which the park gets its name, are still apparent in the park. This area is a “must see” for all wildflower lovers in the spring. The abundant vegetation present in the conservation area provides a rich habitat for a diverse assemblage of wildlife. Located on the Valley’s east side, this park takes in 3,648 acres set at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains, adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. The park contains a large variety of plants and animals that call the lower Sonoran Desert home. Along the most popular feature of the park, the Wind Cave Trail, water seeps from the roof of the alcove to support hanging gardens of Rock Daisy. The Wind Cave is formed at the boundary between the volcanic tuff and granite on Pass Mountain. Breathtaking views from this 2,840-foot elevation are offered to all visitors. White Tank Mountain Regional Park Nearly 30,000 acres makes this the largest regional park in Maricopa County. Most of the park is made up of the rugged and beautiful White Tank Mountains on the Valley’s west side. The range, deeply serrated with ridges and canyons, rises sharply from its base to peak at over 4,000 feet. Infrequent heavy rains cause flash floodwaters to plunge through the canyons and pour onto the plain. These torrential flows, pouring down chutes and dropping off ledges, have scoured out a series of depressions, or “tanks,” in the white granite rock below, thus giving the mountains their name. Arizona Adventure and Walking Tours Self Guided Walking
& Hiking Tour of Downtown Phoenix Arizona.com offers a short but experiential walking tour of downtown Phoenix with stops at it's most interesting destinations. Click here to begin your walk! Begin at Phoenix is Heritage Square, where you can see the historic roots of Phoenix. Enjoy mid-morning tea and pastries at the historic Teeter House, then on to educational adventures at the Phoenix Museum of History. Afterward, cross Monroe to visit St. Mary's Basilica, the oldest Catholic Church in Phoenix. From there walk over to the Arizona Center in downtown's Copper Square. Here you will find shops and restaurants. Also in walking distance is the Orpheum Theater, the Herberger Theater Center, and Symphony Hall. Arizona Outdoor Adventures Scottsdale, AZ The Scottsdale, Arizona Convention and Visitors Bureau provides promotional information about Walking Tours and Outdoor adventures in and around Scottsdale. The listings here are throrough and included both commerical tours as well as museum, park and historical attractions. The listings are especially good for winter visitors to Arizona. For information on walking tours and hiking in The Valley of The Sun, click here.
Links to Arizona State Parks Northern Region (Casa Grande & Points North)
Southern Region (Casa Grand &
Points South)
Western Region
Walk & Hike Safety -- Please read the important notice below. Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors.Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individualsto consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about their specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events. |
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