Maricopa County
Parks in Maricopa County
Discover the best parks, hiking trails, desert mountains, lakes, and outdoor recreation throughout Maricopa County.
Maricopa County offers much more than its cities. From the hiking trails of South Mountain to the red rock buttes of Papago Park, the desert gardens of the Desert Botanical Garden, and the waters of Lake Pleasant, there are plenty of places to enjoy the Sonoran Desert outdoors.
Explore Maricopa County ParksEnjoy the Outdoors in Maricopa County
Maricopa County is home to a wide variety of parks that give residents and visitors plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are looking for a scenic place to hike, a desert trail, a mountain summit, a lake for boating, sports facilities, or a peaceful green space to relax, Maricopa County has parks for many different lifestyles.
Popular Parks in Maricopa County
Explore some of Maricopa County's best-known parks and outdoor recreation areas.
South Mountain Park and Preserve
South Mountain Park and Preserve is a 16,000-acre desert preserve in Phoenix, one of the largest municipal parks in the world, with over 50 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails and panoramic views of the Valley of the Sun.
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Papago Park
Papago Park is a 1,200-acre municipal park in Phoenix and Tempe, known for its distinctive red rock buttes, hiking trails, the Desert Botanical Garden, and the Phoenix Zoo.
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Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is a prominent mountain in Phoenix, known for its challenging summit hikes, the Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail, and panoramic views of the Valley of the Sun.
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Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak is a prominent mountain in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, known for its challenging summit trail and panoramic views of the city.
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Phoenix Mountains Preserve
The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is a 7,000-acre preserve in Phoenix with hiking trails, mountain peaks, and desert recreation throughout the central and northern parts of the city.
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Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is a 140-acre botanical garden in Papago Park, showcasing desert plants from around the world with trails, exhibits, and events.
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Encanto Park
Encanto Park is a 222-acre park in central Phoenix with a golf course, lagoon, sports facilities, and the Enchanted Island amusement park.
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Steele Indian School Park
Steele Indian School Park is a 75-acre park in central Phoenix with a lake, walking paths, sports fields, and the historic Indian School building.
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Margaret T. Hance Park
Margaret T. Hance Park is a 32-acre park in downtown Phoenix built over the I-10 freeway, with event spaces, a dog park, and cultural attractions.
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Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
The Japanese Friendship Garden is a traditional Japanese garden in downtown Phoenix with a tea house, streams, waterfalls, and peaceful walking paths.
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McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a 30,000-acre desert preserve in Scottsdale with over 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.
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Pinnacle Peak Park
Pinnacle Peak Park is a 150-acre park in Scottsdale with a scenic summit trail, rock climbing, and panoramic views of the Scottsdale and Phoenix area.
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Usery Mountain Regional Park
Usery Mountain Regional Park is a 3,600-acre Maricopa County regional park in Mesa with hiking, biking, and camping in the Sonoran Desert.
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San Tan Mountain Regional Park
San Tan Mountain Regional Park is a 10,000-acre Maricopa County regional park in Queen Creek with hiking, biking, and desert mountain recreation.
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Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a 23,000-acre Maricopa County regional park with a large reservoir offering boating, fishing, camping, and water recreation.
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White Tank Mountain Regional Park
White Tank Mountain Regional Park is a 30,000-acre Maricopa County regional park in Waddell with hiking, biking, and petroglyphs in the White Tank Mountains.
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Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Estrella Mountain Regional Park is a 20,000-acre Maricopa County regional park in Goodyear with hiking, biking, and desert mountain recreation.
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Cave Creek Regional Park
Cave Creek Regional Park is a 2,900-acre Maricopa County regional park in Cave Creek with hiking, biking, and camping in the Sonoran Desert.
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McDowell Mountain Regional Park
McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a 21,000-acre Maricopa County regional park near Fountain Hills with hiking, biking, and camping in the McDowell Mountains.
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Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake is a two-mile-long reservoir in Tempe offering boating, fishing, walking, biking, and waterfront recreation.
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Tempe Beach Park
Tempe Beach Park is a 25-acre park along Tempe Town Lake with walking paths, event spaces, and waterfront recreation.
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Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a 110-acre preserve in Gilbert with lakes, trails, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching.
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Fountain Park — Fountain Hills
Fountain Park in Fountain Hills is home to one of the tallest fountains in the world, with a lake, walking paths, and mountain views.
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North Mountain Park
North Mountain Park is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, offering hiking trails, summit views, and desert recreation in central-north Phoenix.
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Dreamy Draw Recreation Area
Dreamy Draw Recreation Area is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, offering hiking, biking, and desert recreation in a scenic desert setting.
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Thunderbird Conservation Park
Thunderbird Conservation Park is a 1,000-acre park in Glendale with hiking, biking, and desert recreation in the Hedgpeth Hills.
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Sahuaro Ranch Park
Sahuaro Ranch Park is a 80-acre historic park in Glendale with historic buildings, gardens, sports facilities, and a community atmosphere.
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Skyline Regional Park
Skyline Regional Park is a 3,500-acre Buckeye park with hiking, biking, and desert mountain recreation in the Buckeye Hills.
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Buckeye Hills Regional Park
Buckeye Hills Regional Park is a 4,700-acre Maricopa County regional park south of Buckeye with desert hiking, biking, and off-road recreation.
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Goodyear Community Park
Goodyear Community Park is a 25-acre park in Goodyear with sports fields, a splash pad, playgrounds, and community facilities.
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Surprise Community Park
Surprise Community Park is a 30-acre park in Surprise with a lake, sports fields, playgrounds, and community facilities.
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Freestone Park
Freestone Park is a 88-acre park in Gilbert with a lake, sports fields, a skate park, and family-friendly recreation.
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Veterans Oasis Park
Veterans Oasis Park is a 148-acre park in Chandler with a lake, trails, wildlife viewing, and water conservation features.
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Tumbleweed Park
Tumbleweed Park is a 250-acre park in Chandler with sports fields, festival grounds, and community recreation.
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Kiwanis Park
Kiwanis Park is a 125-acre park in Tempe with a lake, sports facilities, a recreation center, and family-friendly recreation.
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Riverview Park — Mesa
Riverview Park is a 50-acre park in Mesa with a playground, climbing structures, and views of the Salt River.
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Red Mountain Park — Mesa
Red Mountain Park is a 70-acre park in Mesa with a lake, sports facilities, playgrounds, and desert mountain views.
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Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is a 2,100-acre desert preserve near Cave Creek with hiking trails, archaeological sites, and Sonoran Desert scenery.
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Adobe Dam Regional Park
Adobe Dam Regional Park is a 1,500-acre park in Glendale with golf, recreation, and desert settings along the Adobe Dam.
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Hassayampa River Preserve
The Hassayampa River Preserve is a nature preserve near Wickenburg with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and a rare desert riparian habitat.
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Vulture Mountains Recreation Area
The Vulture Mountains Recreation Area is a desert recreation area near Wickenburg with hiking, off-road recreation, and desert mountain scenery.
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Maricopa Trail
The Maricopa Trail is a 315-mile trail system connecting the Maricopa County regional parks, offering hiking, biking, and equestrian use.
View Park DetailsGreat Parks for Families
Families in Maricopa County have plenty of great options for spending time outdoors. Many parks feature lakes, playgrounds, open lawns, shaded picnic areas, hiking trails, and recreational facilities that make it easy to spend several hours outside.
- Playgrounds and play structures
- Picnic tables and pavilions
- Open lawns for games
- Walking and biking paths
- Shaded areas
- Family-friendly recreation
Walking, Biking & Outdoor Fitness
Maricopa County's parks make it easy to stay active year-round with the region's sunny climate. Residents use parks for morning hikes, jogging, biking, outdoor workouts, and casual recreation.
Explore Maricopa County's Natural Side
Maricopa County is shaped by its desert, mountains, and canyons. Parks such as South Mountain, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and White Tank Mountain Regional Park provide opportunities to enjoy a quieter side of the region while taking in beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery.
Perfect for walking, wildlife viewing, photography, and simply relaxing outdoors.
Find Parks Near Maricopa County Cities & Neighborhoods
Living near a quality park can make a big difference in everyday life. Parks provide recreation, community gathering spaces, walking opportunities, and easy access to outdoor activities.
Explore Maricopa County Cities & NeighborhoodsWhy Parks Matter When Choosing Where to Live
Outdoor Recreation
Easy access to walking, biking, sports, and family activities.
Family Lifestyle
Playgrounds and green spaces give families more options close to home.
Community
Parks often serve as gathering places for events, recreation, and neighborhood activities.
Quality of Life
Access to attractive outdoor spaces adds to the overall appeal of a neighborhood.
Maricopa County Parks FAQs
Discover More of Maricopa County
Explore Maricopa County cities, neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, shopping, local businesses, and things to do throughout the region.