We knew nothing about Maricopa County Regional Parks camping and outdoor adventures until we stumbled upon White Tank Mountain Regional Park. What an active adventure treasure trove! If you know nothing about this incredible system of parks surrounding Phoenix, Arizona – read on.
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Getting to Know Maricopa County
Maricopa County is in the south-central part of Arizona. Maricopa County – named for the the Maricopa Native Americans – is the most populated and fastest-growing county in the state of Arizona. Being that about 4 ½ million people (over ½ of the entire state population) call the county home – it can be a busy place.
It’s not surprising, knowing these facts, that Maricopa County has proactively created an amazing network of regional parks – places where denizens and visitors alike can unwind and recreate in nature.
Weekends in the cool season – especially in early spring – are the busiest. Plan for a weekday visit if you like a little more solitude. Summers are undeniably hot and it’s obviously not as busy – but note that sections of some parks may close during this period due to the heat.
Our first visit was to White Tank Regional Park a few years ago. It was one-off visit with plans to return to explore more later. A couple years passed before friends encouraged us to meet them at Lake Pleasant. We eventually explored Usery Mountain and finally, Cave Creek. That’s when we began to realise the diversity of this amazing regional parks system.
McDowell Mountain is for mountain bikers – not just for bikers, of course, but the trails are the main draw for us! White Tank has great hikes and birding opportunities. Lake Pleasant is perfect for paddling. The list goes on. Bike, hike, paddle, rinse, repeat – what’s not to love?
Enjoy active outdoor adventures? Check out our journals –
we have one for paddling, one for biking, one for hiking.
Maricopa County Regional Parks
These scenic regional parks surround the Salt River Valley (aka Valley of the Sun). They include picnicking areas, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, equestrian facilities, and some of the parks have campgrounds. Pets are allowed on leash along on the trails (except in Hassayampa River Preserve) and in the campgrounds. Interpretive programs take place at all the parks but not on a regular basis – best to call or check the website for the current schedule. There are also special events, like National Take a Hike Day.
There are a total of 14 parks and facilities in the Maricopa County Regional Parks system:
- Adobe Dam Regional Park
- Buckeye Hills Regional Park
- Cave Creek Regional Park
- Desert Outdoor Centre at Lake Pleasant
- Estrella Mountain Regional Park
- Hassayampa River Preserve
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
- Maricopa Trail
- McDowell Mountain Regional Park
- San Tan Regional Park
- Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
- Usery Mountain Regional Park
- Vulture Mountains Recreation Area
- White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Cool fact: each park has an identifying logo. In addition, these logos are drawn from petroglyphs which represent a connection with the Sonoran Desert and its rich cultural history. My favourite the Usery Mountain cat! You can see them all here. Which is your fave?
P.S. If you love metal art, be sure to check out the bronze statues of Fountain Hills
when camping in nearby McDowell Mountain!
Camping Maricopa Regional Parks
The regional parks main office located in downtown Phoenix provides excellent maps and brochures, though staff may not have first-hand knowledge of all areas. You can usually reach individual park offices seven days a week, although staff may be out on patrol (they have large areas to cover!).
There is an entry fee of $7/vehicle ($1/cyclist) – which is credited towards camping fees is staying in parks that allow camping.
There are 5 regional parks in Maricopa County that allow regular camping:
- Cave Creek Regional Park
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
- McDowell Mountain Regional Park
- Usery Mountain Regional Park
- White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Maricopa County Regional Park Camping: Cave Creek
The Cave Creek campground has 55 campsites for tent or RV camping. The average site size is 40′; however, pull through sites may accommodate up to a 60′ RV with water and electrical hookups, a picnic table and a barbecue fire ring. There are flush toilets and hot water showers available and a dump station for use by registered campers at no additional cost.
Camping: Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant has a few campgrounds and camping opportunities. Desert Tortoise Campground has 74 sites (25 developed, 39 semi-developed, 10 tent only). Each “Developed Site” has water, electricity, dump station, covered ramada, picnic table, barbecue grill, and fire ring. “Semi-Developed” and tent only sites do not have water or electricity. Also, restroom and/or showers are available for all sites.
Roadrunner Campground has 71 sites for RV and tent camping. All are developed. The Desert Tortoise Group Campground is available by reservation only and requires a minimum of 10 camping units.
In addition, boat-in camping is available at the 10 Lane Parking lot. There are approximately 30 assigned parking spaces designated for this use. Each camping/parking space is approximately 45 feet long by 12 ft. wide to accommodate most boat trailers and towing vehicles. Reservations are required. Day-of availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and can only be reserved during business hours at the park. Boaters must camp on the waters of Lake Pleasant – no shoreline camping available at this time.
Camping: McDowell Mountain in Maricopa County
There are 76 campsites with picnic tables, barbeque fire ring, water, and electrical hookups in the E.I. Rowland Campground. Showers, restrooms, and an RV dump station are all centrally located for registered campers’ use.
Ironwood Campground has 16 sites (semi-developed, no water or electricity) for trailers under 16 ft. A restroom building and water tap are centrally located.
There are 3 group campgrounds (all undeveloped) in McDowell. Each require a minimum of 5 camping units. Reservations can be made a year in advance.
Camping: Usery Mountain
The Usery Mountain Regional Park campground has 73 sites – all can accommodate rigs ups to 45 ft long and have water and electrical (as well as a picnic table, barbeque grill, and fire ring. Restrooms and showers available.
There are two undeveloped (dry camp) group campgrounds requiring a minimum of 6 units to reserve.
Regional Park Camping: White Tank Mountain
Forty developed sites (water and electrical) available at White Tank. Most can fit rigs up to 45 ft in length. Central restrooms have flush toilets and showers.
Willow Campground has 11 walk-in campsites and 9 back-in sites for tents and small RVs (no hookups) up to 16 ft. The restroom/shower block also has a dishwashing station. There are also two group camping areas (undeveloped, dry camping) – one with room for 12 units, the other with room for 14.
Maricopa County Parks Camping Reservations
Maricopa County Regional Parks camping reservations can be reserved 6 months ahead of your arrival date. Reservations are made on-line or by calling the reservation line at 1-833-505-0779 daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time zone).
Also note that full payment is required at the time of reservation (along with a reservation fee). The entry fee of $7/vehicle ($1/cyclist) is credited toward camping fees. Campgrounds have a 14-day stay limit.
Be forewarned: sites are snapped up as quickly as they become available. But don’t worry too much. Check back on a regular basis and – if you are flexible with your dates and/or don’t mind moving sites once or twice during your stay – you can often find a campsite.
When You Go
The Maricopa County Regional Parks main office is located at 411 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004. You can reach them by phone at (602) 506-2930, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
You can also find out information online as well as maps of all the parks and their facilities on the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation page.
Park updates (such as water levels, closures, etc.) are here.
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