Published January 15, 2021

Come Hike & Bike Around The Valley In The 315-Mile Maricopa Trail!

Written by Shanna Day Team

Come Hike & Bike Around The Valley In The 315-Mile Maricopa Trail! header image.

The 315-mile Maricopa Trail was completed this fall, linking 10 of the county's regional parks:

-Buckeye Hills Regional Park.
-Cave Creek Regional Park.
-Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
-Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
-McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
-San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
-South Mountain Regional Park.
-Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
-Usery Mountain Regional Park.
-White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

The idea for a trail circling the entire county was conceived nearly two decades ago but it wasn't until 2004 that development began with the first of 104 segments at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. The loop was completed on a $5 million budget from 2004 to 2018 and involved working with more than a dozen cities and multiple federal and state land agencies.

Aside from offering extended hiking opportunities and wilderness getaways, the county hopes the trail helps in a better connection with its communities. Two more trails are being eyed to jut out from the loop and connect to Buckeye Hills Regional Park and Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg.

While the Maricopa Trail & Park Foundation will handle most of trail maintenance, volunteers are welcomed to "adopt" a portion of the trail to maintain. For volunteer opportunities or more information on the Maricopa Trail & Park Foundation, please visit the foundation website at mctpf.org.