Usery Mountain Regional Park came up in our search for a campground in the Phoenix/Mesa/Gilbert area.  With 73 individual “developed” campsites accommodating RVs up to 45-feet in length, it was possible for us.  Ultimately, we decided not to stay there because we wanted to be in a single, full hook-up location for the month of January.  Stays in the park are limited to fourteen days, and sites offer only electric and water service. 

After visiting the park in person, I’m sorry that we didn’t stay there.  Sites are large and come with a picnic table, barbecue grill, a fire circle, and access to a dump station.  Even though we weren’t going to stay there, it went on my list of places that I wanted to visit while in the area.  At a distance of only 10-15 minutes away from the park where we are staying, it was also at the top of the list for hiking, according to All Trails, an app we use for finding nearby trails.

A popular destination within the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation system, there are trails available for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.  While I didn’t see any horses on any of my visits to the park, there is evidence of horses being on trails.  And, like many state and county parks, leashed dogs are welcome here. 

Brian, Skipper, and I visited the park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with plans for a hike.  With over 29 miles of trails, we weren’t sure where to start or end.  The gate attendee suggested we try the Merkle Trail, saying that it was the easiest in the park.  You can find the trailhead and a small parking lot by following the main road in.  At just under one mile, this loop is well-traveled, barrier-free, and not available for those on bikes or horses.  We saw people of all ages on the path, including some on motorized scooters and in strollers.  The path goes around a small hill.  It’s a beautiful introduction to seeing the Sonoran desert plant life up close.  We completed one loop quite easily and decided that we’d like to add another trail to our accomplishments for the day.

The Vista Trail is the trail that goes up and over the hill/mountain that the Merkle trail goes around. 

Rated moderate, this is a half-mile climb up 162 feet and back down.  One understands the name given to the trail en route as the vistas are amazing!  The trail is narrow but well-marked.  It was more challenging than the Merkle trail for sure but generally easier than some other trails that we’ve walked with an easy rating.

Skipper and I returned to the park on Friday with my brother and sister-in-law for an afternoon walk.  We picked the Blevins trail.  One can access this trailhead and several others at the trailhead staging area.  Of note, the staging area is the large parking area where you’ll see a couple of trailers and restrooms.  From one direction, the staging area looks like it may only be a small parking lot across the street.  This trail is “shared access” and is therefore open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. 

Rated easy, this 3-mile loop is beautiful!  It brings you up close with massive saguaros and other desert plant life.   Without much elevation, the hardest part of this trail is watching out for bikes.  But the trail is fairly wide, and stepping aside is not difficult. 

Day passes cost $7/car or a booklet of 5 passes for $25.  Annual passes are $85 and provide access to all of the Maricopa Regional Parks.  With three more passes in my booklet of five, I’m looking forward to a couple more hikes while we are here.  If not at Usery Mountain Regional Park, then at one of the other thirteen parks that are part of the Maricopa County Park System.

Of note, additional activities at Usery Mountain Regional Park include:

• five-star archery range
• flying site for radio-operated model airplanes
• outdoor fitness station with eight different machines
• picnic areas for both day and group use

The park system also offers a range of programs in the parks.  Be sure to check the county park’s website for additional information and a calendar of events.