Ultimate guide to trails, archery and camping at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa
Usery Mountain Regional Park near Mesa perfectly captures the iconic Sonoran Desert landscape palette. Bright blue skies contrast with the earthy colors of sand, rock and plants such as saguaros, barrel cactus, brittlebush, chollas and paloverde trees.
The views are immediate as you enter the park. Covering 3,648 acres at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains and adjacent to Tonto National Forest, Usery Mountain Regional Park has over 32 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. It also has an archery range and a 75-site campground.
With the Superstition Mountains, lower Salt River and Saguaro Lake nearby, the park is also a perfect base for exploring surrounding recreation areas. Here is everything you need to know about Usery Mountain Regional Park.
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Is there a fee for Usery Mountain Regional Park?
There is a $7 day-use fee for all vehicles entering the park. If you arrive on foot, bike or horseback, the fee is $2. An annual pass that allows you to visit all Maricopa County Parks for one year costs $85 and can be purchased at any county park.
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Usery Mountain Regional Park hiking trails
With over 32 miles of multi-use trails and 22 designated trailheads, Usery has options for any kind of workout. Here are four favorite trails.
Merkle Trail: This easy 1-mile out-and-back interpretive trail is barrier-free trail and accessible for strollers and wheelchair users.
Wind Cave Trail: This 3-mile out-and-back moderate trail is the park’s most popular hike. Views are instant, so there’s no need to hike all the way to the top if you’re feeling like an easy outing. The Wind Cave Trail takes you up a series of switchbacks with an elevation gain of 812 feet. At the top, you will arrive at a cave-like alcove with big views. Chipmunks like it up here, so be careful where you put your food.
Blevins Trail: This 3-mile easy out-and-back trail is popular with hikers, birders and equestrians. It begins at the Trailhead Staging Area, which connects multiple trails. The park suggests this 3.2-mile loop: Head east on the Blevins Trail (start at the kiosk) and turn north (left) on the Cat Peaks Trail. Turn west (right) on the Meridian Trail, then turn northwest (right) on the Blevins trail back to the Trailhead Staging Area.
Pass Mountain Trail: This 7.5-mile out-and-back moderate hike is the park's longest trail. It's well marked but doesn't have much shade so bring plenty of water, snacks and sun protection when you venture out to see the beautiful Sonoran Desert views.
These Usery Mountain Regional Park trails are off limits to bikers and horseback riders:
Desert Hawk Trail.
Merkle Trail.
Vista Trail.
Wind Cave Trail.
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Usery Mountain Regional Park camping
Usery Mountain Regional Park's campground has 75 sites for tents and RVs. You can choose semi-developed sites with picnic tables and grills for $22 a night or developed sites with grills and electric and water hook-ups for $32 a night.
Restrooms include flush toilets and showers.
There are two group camping areas. Each has a ramada with six tables and a patio. There are no RV hookups; each site has a 14-day stay limit. Cost is $22 per night plus a $45 reservation fee.
Campground reservations: 602-506-2930, maricopacountyparks.org/MaricopaWeb.
Picnicking at Usery Mountain Regional Park
Usery has numerous picnic areas.
Four group sites can hold up to 60 people each. Each one has electricity, water, shaded tables, fire pit, patio, barbecue and floodlights. These ramadas can be reserved for $30 per four-hour increment. Ramadas not marked as reserved can be used on a first-come, first-served basis.
There also are 68 picnic tables with barbecues. Most tables are under ramadas and can be reserved for $30 for four-hour use. Unreserved sites can be used on a first-come, first-served basis without charge.
Call 480-984-0032 for reservations.
Wildlife at Usery Mountain Regional Park
The wildlife here isn’t hard to spot. As soon as you enter the Nature Center you will be greeted by Chica, the park’s cat.
Then you can pick up brochures on birding, plants, reptiles and other animals you might see in the park. Keep an eye out for these bird species: Gila woodpeckers, roadrunners, black-throated sparrows and red-tailed hawks.
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Usery Mountain Regional Park's archery range
The archery range is a shaded shooting area consisting of nearly 100 targets on six courses. Bring your own equipment. There is a $2 daily fee in addition to the park entrance fee. Restrooms are available.
More things to do at Usery Mountain Regional Park
According to Park Supervisor Shayla Gunn, free ranger-led activities will resume this fall. Check the park's website for a schedule. Activities include:
Full moon hikes.
Animal flashlight walks.
Morning hikes with a ranger.
Sunset yoga.
Group mountain bike rides.
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Usery Mountain Regional Park
When: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa.
Admission: $7 per vehicle; $2 for those entering on foot, bike or horse.
Details: 602-506-2930, https://www.maricopacountyparks.net.
You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at [email protected] or you can also follow her on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Usery Mountain Regional Park: Camping and trail guide
