Estrella Mountain Regional Park officially became Maricopa County's first regional park in 1954. The first property for the park was purchased in 1953, and the park initially contained 828 acres. By 1962, the park had grown to 16,468 acres.
Today, the park encompasses 19,836 acres of Sonoran Desert parkland where park visitors will find 57.96 miles of trails, including a competitive track, a nature center, a nature-themed playground with shade, a golf course, habitats and ponds, picnic sites, a pollinator garden, and much more.
"In 2016, the Parks Department updated the Park's Master Plan. Feedback from the public revealed that visitors were interested in having a campground at the rodeo arena. I'm pleased to announce that we took the feedback seriously and found a way to bring this project to fruition. Construction on the new campground will begin on February 3," stated Supervisor Steve Gallardo, who represents District 5 on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
The campground area will include:
- 50 developed campsites
- Two new restrooms with showers
- A fenced equestrian trailhead
- A shaded dog area
- Renovations to the Rainbow Valley Trailhead
- A dump station, and
- Five covered park host sites
To allow for construction of the campground, 143rd Drive and Arena Drive will be closed. Park visitors will not be able to access the Rainbow Valley and Coldwater Trailheads, restrooms, or the parking lot from February 3, 2025, through March 2027. The trails may be accessed from the Quail Trailhead, but parking is limited.
"Our team has been discussing the need for a campground at the park for quite some time. When we decommissioned the rodeo arena, this gave us the perfect opportunity and space to offer this service," stated Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Waller. "Given our proximity to Phoenix Raceway, this also gives their guests an alternate option for RV camping when the raceway hosts large-scale events."
In addition to the campground project, the park will also be making the following changes to the picnic area:
Converting 16 acres to desert landscaping with decomposed granite. Sixty new trees, 400 native plants, and 100 cacti will be planted throughout the area. One hundred rock boulders and a new irrigation drip system will be installed at various locations.
The 4.3-acre turf area will receive soil amendment and be hydro-seeded with Bermuda. The sprinkler controller and sprinklers will be replaced, and the area will also be treated with post-emergent weed control.
For additional details, visit www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/estrella-mountain-regional-park/park-information/park-projects/.