Hiking
Arizona -- Maricopa County Parks
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Maricopa
County Parks & Recreation
Headquarters
411 N. Central Ave.,
Suite 470
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Ph: 602-506-2930
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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:
Cave
Creek Regional Park
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.
Lake
Pleasant Regional Park
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.
Usery
Mountain Regional Park
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
Great for the whole family.
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.
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 individuals
to 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.
