Usery Mountain Regional Park is one of the largest outdoor recreation centers in the Phoenix-metropolitan area. Located on the east side of the Valley in Mesa, it sprawls over 3,648 acres of prime desert near the Goldfield Mountains and Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. The park offers scenic exploration, wind caves, archery, and miles of multi-use trails. From hiking and biking to camping, here are three things that visitors can enjoy at the Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Hike the Scenic Trails
Usery Mountain Regional Park offers hikers, bikers, and equestrians over 29 miles of trails to explore. Start your hike with the easy and short 0.2 mile Merkle Trail or take on the difficult 7.1-mile Pass Mountain Trail. Whether you’re in the mood for a stroll or a challenging climb to the top of a scenic summit, the trails within Usery Park are a popular choice thanks to spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Join in the fun at Usery Park from October through April with the Wag ‘n’ Walk Adoption Hike. Volunteers in this award-winning program walk shelter dogs in the park, giving everyone a chance to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather. Remember to practice proper trail etiquette and always carry plenty of water for both you and your four-legged friends.
Discover the Wind Cave
Adjacent to Tonto National Forest, visitors will find another favorite attraction at Usery Mountain Regional Park: the wind cave. Follow the trail 2.6 miles and 812 feet up the mountainside, and experience breathtaking views from this 2,840-foot elevation.
The wind cave formed in the granite and volcanic rocks near Pass Mountain’s boundary. Discover the cave’s hanging gardens of rock daisies that thrive in the water as it seeps from the roof of the alcove.
The Wind Cave Trail is a terrific, moderate-level hike. It’s popular, and often busy with both young and old visitors on a Saturday morning. There isn’t a ton of shade on the trail, and some spots are quite rocky, so use a walking stick if you want more stability.
Visit the Nature Center
Usery Park is home to one of four Maricopa County green-friendly nature centers. It’s designed to be energy efficient while minimizing the disturbance to the natural surroundings. A fully functional educational center with amphitheaters, patios, and classrooms, it has much to offer guests.
Given the abundance of rain the Valley received this year, the park is bursting with spring wildflowers. Learn about the Sonoran Desert’s vast variety of flora and fauna in the center.
Grab a snack, cold water, and sunscreen and take advantage of restroom facilities before you embark on your outdoor adventure, then stop by the nature pond to see who is visiting. Finally, take in a Saguaro, beautifully framed by a world-famous Arizona sunset.
Visitors will find the park at 3939 N. Usery Pass Rd. in Mesa. It’s open every day — Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. Parking is just $7 per car.
Image via Flickr by Scott Taylor. Used with permission via CC BY-ND 2.0 / cropped from original
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