ALERTS
ALERTS
SYSTEMWIDE - Parks annual fire ban runs from May 1 - Sept 30. Click for details.
MARICOPA TRAIL - Segment Two Temporarily Closed
SAN TAN - Goldmine Trailhead Improvements FY24-25
LAKE PLEASANT: Annual Bald Eagle Closure - Agua Fria Arm - December 15 thru June 15
 
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PARK UPDATES

FIRE BAN Maricopa County's annual fire ban begins on May 1 and runs through September 30. Should Maricopa County experience an unusually dry monsoon season over the summer, the fire ban for the regional park may be extended. To learn more, visit the Fire Ban Information page. 
   
LIST OF PARKS CHANGES/UPDATES
ADOBE DAM REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 

Trails: Please note there are no designated trails within the park. Please don't off-road or trespass on the property. During your visit, be respectful of the environment and park concessionaires. Pack out what you've brought in. Individuals who violate the park rules will be prosecuted.  
BUCKEYE HILLS REGIONAL PARK The Joe Foss Shooting Range will remain open under a short-term permit thanks to the Arizona Citizens Defense League Foundation.  Meanwhile, they were also the successful respondent to the recent Request of Expressions of Interest, and we will work to establish a long-term contract.  Open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. 


NEW: The public shooting range will be temporarily closed on the following dates due to staffing issues:

  • Saturday, March 16, 2024
  • Sunday, March 17, 2024

We apologize for the inconvenience. UPDATED 3/15/2024
CAVE CREEK REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 
Nature Center hours: May 1 - October 31 - Open 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday / November 1 - April 30 - Open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 
Nature Center hours: May 1 - October 31 - Open 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday / November 1 - April 30 - Open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
HASSAYAMPA RIVER PRESERVE

Park and Visitor Center hours:

May 1 - October 31: The Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 am to 4 pm. Trails close at 3:30 pm.

November 1 - April 30: The Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm. Trails close at 4:30 pm.

Pets are not allowed in the preserve.

LAKE PLEASANT REGIONAL PARK

 

Main Park Entrance hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is anticipating TEMPORARY closures into the summer. The decision to temporarily close sections of the park will be based on:

  • increased holiday/weekend traffic,
  • parking lot and shoreline limits exceeding capacity, and/or
  • high water levels limiting shoreline availability (seasonal).

Once activated, a temporary closure means:

  • Main entrance: No new entries/re-entries will be allowed until after 4 pm on that day.
  • North entrance: No new entries/re-entries for the remainder of the day.

Please check the alert section on the website (gray banner) and parks Facebook page before visiting. Closures implemented by Lake Pleasant Regional Park do not impact Pleasant Harbor Marina (east side of the lake).

PARK WATER LEVELS: Despite a Tier 1 shortage declaration for Colorado River operations that began on Jan. 1, 2024, CAP is not expecting the Lake Pleasant water level to be significantly impacted in 2024. CAP expects the lake level to go down, but not outside normal historical operating ranges. Updated on: 1/11/2024

ALERT: Watch for floating debris while on waterway. Click here to learn more. [NEW: 3/29/2023]

MAIN ENTRANCE 

  • CONCRETE SPILLWAY. Open for day-use parking.  

  • SHORELINE: Shoreline levels are lower which provides additional parking. As the water levels rise, less parking will be available.

  • BOAT-IN CAMPING ONLY:

  • DESIGNATED PRIMITIVE CAMPING: 

    • The Dirt Spillway Primitive Camp Area is now available. Access to the area can only be achieved at this time via Sunset Ridge Road as the Concrete Spillway is under water. 
    • South Park Primitive Camping Area
      • As of May 13, 2021, primitive camping may be reserved online and no longer solely be a first-come, first-served opportunity. 
  • Park Headquarters and Operations Cove remain closed.
  • The DISCOVERY CENTER is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.   
    • Playground access is available. Park visitors should continue to maintain physical distancing (6 ft.) and are encouraged to wear masks while in the playground area, when appropriate. 

NORTH ENTRANCE (4-lane boat ramp)

  • The North Entrance Station is open daily. May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. ALL visitors must depart when the park closes.

  • Shoreline camping is not available in this area.  

  • Access is currently permitted for hikers at the Cottonwood Day-Use Area, watercraft launchers from 4-Lane Boat Ramp, and shoreline day-use access within Fireman's Cove. No shoreline access at Cottonwood Cove until further notice.  

  • CASTLE CREEK/4-LANE BOAT RAMP: Ramp is all that will be open.

CAMPING RESERVATIONS 

  • Campers are required to enter the park between 1 pm and 8 pm the day of their arrival.
  • No entry access available between 8 pm and 5 am.

SHORELINE CAMPING

  • Will remain closed.

FISHING

  • Option for fishing when the park entrance is closed:  Pleasant Harbor Marina
  • Options for night fishing after 8:00 p.m.: 
  • If using Boat-in/Angler camping or Pleasant Marina, the following applies:
    • Anglers may night fish on the lake as long as watercraft remains in open water.  Once the watercraft is beached on the shoreline, that becomes shoreline camping, which is not permitted in the park. This could result in a citation.
    • The main entrance to Lake Pleasant Regional Park closes at 8 pm. All park visitors, excluding those with camping reservations, must exit the park by this time.
    • Boat-in campers may leave the park between the hours of 8 pm and 5 am, but will not be able to return/arrive during that time.

TRAILHEADS

  • The following trailheads are accessible at this time: Agua Fria, Beardsley, Brown, Cottonwood Day-Use Area, Frog Tanks, Pipeline Canyon Day-Use Area, Roadrunner, Wild Burro Day-Use Area, and Wild Burro Trailheads.

AGUA FRIA CONSERVATION AREA

OTHER

  • Swimming and fishing (with a valid license) are allowed at the lake.

SCORPION BAY MARINA

  • Individuals visiting Scorpion Bay Marina should contact the marina for further information on how the changes will impact their visit.
MARICOPA TRAIL No new updates.
McDOWELL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 
Nature Center hours: May 1 - October 31 - Open 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday / November 1 - April 30 - Open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.  
SAN TAN MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 
Nature Center hours: May 1 - October 31 - Open 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday / November 1 - April 30 - Open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.

SAN TAN MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK - GOLDMINE TRAILHEAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Construction on the project begins on Monday, March 4, 2024, and runs through March 2025. To learn more about the project, please visit the park project page. 
SPUR CROSS RANCH CONSERVATION AREA

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 

PAYMENTS

  • The Conservation Area will accept payments via annual passes, Cave Creek resident cards, and cash at the entry station.
  • Checks will not be accepted.

NOTICE: The Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Parks staff will be in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area working on invasive species removal and fire fuel load reduction starting early March until mid-May. If needed, additional removal and/or reduction efforts may be added throughout the year. To learn more, see the park alert. 
USERY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 
Nature Center hours: May 1 - October 31 - Open 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday / November 1 - April 30  - Open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.

TRAILHEADS

  • Parking restrictions have ben put in place at the Wind Cave Trailhead to limit capacity.
WHITE TANK MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 am to 9 pm daily / November 1 to April 30 - 6 am to 8 pm daily. 
Nature Center hours:  May 1 - October 31 - Open 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday / November 1 - April 30 - Open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.  

TRAILHEADS

  • The Mesquite Trailhead is open. Parking in lot only.

AREA #4

  • Effective May 1, 2022, Area #4 will be closed at White Tank Mountain Regional Park for construction. To learn more, click here. Updated 3/30/2022

PRESS RELEASES

PHYSICAL-DISTANCING AND HYGIENE

However, Maricopa County is adopting the President’s and Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) 15 Days to Slow The Spread Coronavirus Guidelines for America, which will impact how we conduct business. The new guidelines recommend:

  • Physical-distancing.
    • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than ten (10) people.
      • Do not use trails if you have symptoms of COVID-19, which can include fever, cough and breathing trouble.
      • Ensure that there is six (6) to eight (8) feet between you and the next person on the trail, following physical-distancing guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
      • If your favorite trailhead or recreational spot in the park is experiencing overcrowding and congestion, find another area in the park to visit so you are practicing safe physical-distancing.
      • Maricopa County's regional park system contains 596-miles of trails, this includes the 315-mile Maricopa Trail. Maps for the Maricopa Trail can be found at https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/things-to-do/activity/maps/. 
      • Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. The nature centers are closed, so you will not be able to purchase items at the park.
      • If you’re hiking with pets, please clean-up after them. It’s even more important than usual to pack out your own trash to protect any park employees and the natural resources.
    • The Arizona Department of Health Services strongly recommends that dining establishments discourage dine-in traffic in areas of known community spread (i.e., Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties).
    • If dine-in options are provided, social distancing measures should be implemented, providing space for customers to be placed at least six (6) feet apart.
  • Practice good hygiene.
    • Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
    • Avoid touching your face.
    • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
    • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

The department will continue to monitor county, state, and federal health department recommendations for guidance and provide updates as they impact park and trail operations, and/or public safety. 

RESOURCES:

NOTE: Our team's area of expertise is outdoor recreation, not infectious diseases, we are asking that you visit the following websites for information on COVID-19. Information is very fluid right now and, at times, only being released on social media accounts so please don't discount these resources.

If you have questions or concerns, please email us at maricopacountyparks@maricopa.gov. Future updates and changes will be posted on this page.

Recommendations for trail users on observing physical-distancing minimums

There are a number of specific recommendations for advising the public to keep safe physical-distancing when in parks or on trails

  • Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not use trails if you have symptoms, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.
  • Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended physical-distancing of six feet from other people. Practice it and know what it looks like. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.
  • Warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.
  • Note that trail and park users may find public restrooms closed — be prepared before you leave and time outings so that you are not dependent on public restrooms.
  • Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.
  • Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash, take everything out to protect park workers

Information provided by the National Parks and Recreation Association

covid19-public-trails-hi-res-web

 
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