Maricopa County Parks

Maricopa County Parks Come hike, mountain bike, and explore the natural beauty of Maricopa County Parks.

Maricopa County is home to one of the largest regional parks systems in the nation with over 120,000 acres of open space parks that include hundreds of miles of trails, campgrounds, nature centers and the Desert Outdoor Environmental Learning Center at Lake Pleasant. Currently, there are 10 regional parks in the system which we're happy to report were visited by over 2.1 million people In 2013. Wh

ether you're planning on hiking along a barrier-free trail, enjoying the scenic Sonoran Desert views on horseback, or peddling rigorously up a trail on a mountain bike, the parks offer a variety of opportunities for all types of users, ages and comfort levels. Best of all, Maricopa County's regional parks are all within a 45-minute drive from downtown Phoenix! Our pristine Sonoran Desert park system includes the following parks:

•Adobe Dam Regional Park
•Buckeye Hills Regional Park
•Cave Creek Regional Park
•Desert Outdoor Center
•Estrella Mountain Regional Park
•Lake Pleasant Regional Park
•McDowell Mountain Regional Park
•San Tan Mountain Regional Park
•Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
•Usery Mountain Regional Park
•White Tank Mountain Regional Park

The department is staffed by a team that is passionate about what they do and dedicated to our mission and vision which are:

Vision: Our vision is to connect people with nature through regional parks, trails and programs, inspire an appreciation for the Sonoran desert beauty and natural open spaces, and create life-long positive memories. Mission: Our mission, through responsible stewardship, is to provide the quality parks, trails, programs, services and experiences that energize visitors and create life-long users and advocates.

09/04/2026

Some days start with a “wait for it…” and end with the most unexpected little troublemaker catching your eye on the trail. 👀🌅🚣

This is a typical a day in the parks...beautiful sunrises, open water, and wildlife cameos you definitely don’t see coming. Who is this fuzzy red visitor we came across during our visit? It's a velvet ant, which is actually a wingless female wasp, and you’ll definitely want to admire from a distance. 😅

Grab your gear, keep your eyes open, and see what unexpected moments await you on the trails! 🌵✨ Visit www.maricopa.gov/parks to locate a park near you!

Join your County Park Rangers for our first Homeschool Day event of the season! We start at Usery Park on Friday, Septem...
09/02/2026

Join your County Park Rangers for our first Homeschool Day event of the season! We start at Usery Park on Friday, September 18 with Protect Our Pollinators. Learn what pollinators do, experience some of the obstacles they face, and find out how you can be a pollinator protector. More info: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/events/homeschool-day-protect-our-pollinators/11/ 🐝🦋🦇🐜🐞

Future Homeschool Days will be offered at rotating east side and west side parks throughout the season until spring. These event days run as three 35-minute workshops that happen simultaneously and are repeated, so that you can attend the sessions that fit your schedule. You add your name to the session time slots when you arrive (no pre-registration required). The first sessions start at 9am and the last sessions start at 11:40am. The events end at 12:15pm. Scan the QR Code or visit the Events page, linked above, for more information.

09/02/2026

Guess what's blooming along the trails today? This little desert Senna is putting on quite a show, and honestly, so is the weather. After a hot, sunny stretch, today's cooler breeze and clear skies are basically begging you to get outside.

Hit the trails and catch the first hints of fall color or grab a paddle and take a ride across the lake while the light is just right.

However you spend it, don't waste this perfect afternoon indoors!

🦅 Eco-Blitz Spotlight: Turkey Vulture!Meet nature’s cleanup crew! Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) soar on warm air curr...
09/01/2026

🦅 Eco-Blitz Spotlight: Turkey Vulture!

Meet nature’s cleanup crew! Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) soar on warm air currents called thermals and use their remarkable sense of smell to find carrion (decaying animals).

By cleaning up what’s left behind, these scavengers help recycle nutrients and keep our desert ecosystems healthy. 🌵

To learn more, visit: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/about-us/eco-blitz/

🏕️ BOGO camping is back!Maricopa County residents can enjoy a little more time under the stars this fall. 🌵✨ Stay 2–7 co...
08/28/2026

🏕️ BOGO camping is back!

Maricopa County residents can enjoy a little more time under the stars this fall. 🌵✨ Stay 2–7 consecutive nights and get one night FREE, or stay 8–14 nights and get two nights FREE!

The promotion runs Sept. 18–Oct. 31 at participating regional parks.

Pack the camper or grab the tent and start planning your fall getaway! 🍂

👉 Details, participating parks & restrictions:
www.maricopacountyparks.net/things-to-do/buy-one-get-one/

⚠️ Estrella Mountain Regional Park UpdateStorm damage from August 17 continues to impact several areas of the park. Some...
08/27/2026

⚠️ Estrella Mountain Regional Park Update

Storm damage from August 17 continues to impact several areas of the park. Some trailheads remain open, while the playground, concrete path, nearby ramadas, and Nature Center have temporary closures.

Please review the graphic before your visit for the latest information.

Thank you for your patience as repairs continue.

Website alert: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/estrella---storm-damage-update-and-temporary-closures/

🚧 Construction Alert | Desert Hills AreaBeginning Monday, September 14, Maricopa County Department of Transportation wil...
08/27/2026

🚧 Construction Alert | Desert Hills Area

Beginning Monday, September 14, Maricopa County Department of Transportation will begin construction on the Skunk Creek Crossing Project.

During construction, the Maricopa Trail will be rerouted while crews install concrete culverts designed to safely channel floodwater through the area.

🥾 Maricopa Trail users: Please follow the posted detour and use caution when traveling through the area. The impacted section is highlighted in light blue within the circled area on the graphic.

Construction is expected to continue through April 2027.

Thank you for your patience while this important work is completed!

Website alert: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/maricopa-trail---temporary-construction-at-skunk-creek-crossing/

🦋 Calling all butterfly lovers!Join us for our Pollinators BioBlitz this September!Start with our virtual Butterfly Work...
08/26/2026

🦋 Calling all butterfly lovers!

Join us for our Pollinators BioBlitz this September!

Start with our virtual Butterfly Workshop on September 16 to brush up on your butterfly identification skills. Then put those skills to work at one of our Butterfly Monitoring Programs on September 19 at participating parks.

🦋 Learn. Explore. Observe. Help us document our local pollinators!

Registration required.

Virtual Workshop: https://signup.com/go/VgpAnsU
Monitoring Programs: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/events/?F_m=9&F_c=26

08/17/2026

🔥 Apparently, someone would like to speak to the park supervisor.

This roadrunner at San Tan Mountain Regional Park spent some time racing back and forth outside the Nature Center, pecking at the window, and seemingly wondering why staff got to enjoy the air conditioning while he was stuck outside. 🐦💨❄️

Between the heavy panting and occasional side-eye, we think his review of the situation was pretty clear: zero stars. 😒😂

All joking aside, Arizona’s summer heat is tough, even for wildlife adapted to the desert. If you’re heading to the parks, please plan your visit carefully, carry PLENTY of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours, and pay attention to heat advisories.

Stay cool out there. Our local roadrunner certainly wishes he could. 🌵☀️

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help the desert grow! 🌱Join us for a hands-on Seed Pellet Workshop where you’ll le...
08/14/2026

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help the desert grow! 🌱

Join us for a hands-on Seed Pellet Workshop where you’ll learn how native seeds are processed and mixed with clay, soil/compost, and water to create seed pellets that support ecological restoration.

📍 Cave Creek Regional Park
📅 September 18 | 8–11:30 a.m. | https://signup.com/go/yCxtVev

📍 Usery Mountain Regional Park
📅 October 2 | 8–11:30 a.m. | https://signup.com/go/dvcpZyy

Please bring water and a snack, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Families are welcome; parents must remain with minors. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Address

Phoenix, AZ

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+16025062930

Website

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