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Usery Mountain (Maricopa County Park)
Overview
Usery Mountain Regional Park offers a sprawling 3,648-acre desert escape on the western edge of the Goldfield Mountains. It is widely considered one of the premier Maricopa County Parks because of its stunning desert landscape and meticulously maintained facilities. RVers often flock here to experience the authentic beauty of the Sonoran Desert while remaining remarkably close to the amenities of the East Valley. The park provides a quiet, serene atmosphere where giant saguaros and dramatic rock formations take center stage throughout the year.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Mesa, Arizona, the park serves as a scenic gateway to the vast Tonto National Forest. It sits at an elevation that offers slightly cooler breezes and panoramic valley views, especially during the vibrant Arizona sunsets. The surrounding terrain is characterized by rugged volcanic peaks and lush desert vegetation that changes with the seasons. While it feels like a remote wilderness, the park is a short drive from major highways, making it an ideal base for exploring the Salt River Valley and the surrounding metropolitan areas.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features 73 individual sites, many of which are specifically designed to accommodate large motorhomes and fifth wheels. Each site is equipped with water and electrical hookups, a picnic table, and a dedicated fire ring for evening gatherings. On-site facilities include:
- Clean restrooms and modern shower facilities
- A convenient RV dump station for guest use
- A dedicated nature center with educational programs
- An archery range and multi-use staging areas
The park is well-regarded for its spacious layouts, ensuring that neighbors have plenty of room to enjoy their personal outdoor space without feeling crowded.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless recreation, starting with the famous Wind Cave Trail, which leads to a scenic alcove with breathtaking views of the valley below. The park also boasts over 29 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Just a short drive away, visitors can enjoy kayaking or fishing at Saguaro Lake. For a taste of the Old West, the nearby Goldfield Ghost Town offers a fun and educational glimpse into Arizona's rich mining history and rugged frontier past.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for active outdoor adventurers who prioritize trail access and rugged natural beauty over commercial resort amenities. It is a favorite for birdwatchers and photographers looking to capture the iconic desert flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Families and seasonal travelers will appreciate the safe environment and the vibrant nighttime skies, which are perfect for stargazing. It strikes a perfect balance for those who want a rustic desert feel with easy access to city services in Mesa.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Flippin' Fabulous Traveler
Great regional park if you visit the Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert/Chandler area. Safe for solo travelers. Trails are well marked. I did the Noso trail, Merle, and Desert Hawk trail on Day 1 (spent a few hours enjoying scenery). Day 2 (AM) - Wind Cave Trail. Give yourself a few hours. Difficult trail, somewhat well marked, use GPS signal or apps. Well worth it! The chipmunks on cave are friendly too.
Cathy S
First time camping here and we loved it. Easy to get to, the camping spaces are nicely spread out and it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Easy hiking trails with signage detailing the types of cactus. There is a walkable nature center showcasing some critters of the desert too. Park entrance fee, electric and water hookups, and 2 dump sites included. The bathroom and shower facilities are well kept and plentiful. We will be back!
Sandi Cumberland
By far one of our favorite places to camp. Lovely surroundings, spaces are not close together, and lots of activities available- archery, shooting range, hiking, biking. So very close to town, but far enough away to feel away from it all. Great staff and programs, too. Just be careful of the jumping cactus.
Ursula S
The GREATEST place to hike. Brought a dog and hiked the Blevins Trail and Cat's Peak. The views were breathtaking! The desert was so green and surrounding mountains made it magical. And I've hiked a considerable amount. Heard the Wind Tunnel Trail here is good too. Costs $7 per CAR to enter. The trails are shared with mountain bikers and horses, but everyone was respectful. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Lots of parking. Not much shade out there! I hiked the day after Thanksgiving. Don't know if I'd do it in summer. Trails are well marked but I still used the All Trails app. Magical place. Bring water.
L H
This park is a large, beautiful place. With many different lengths of trails to choose from. There's also a large variety of cacti and desert plants. There's also many butterflies and birds. The whole place is well maintained.
Kokopelli’s dad
Nice park. Just be aware that there is a gun range close by and they do not adhere to published hours so be ready for some gun noise. Additionally there are pack rats and rodents that can cause damage to your vehicle or RV and there are frequent occurrences. You’ll see many vehicles with their hoods open and a string of lights in the engine bay in an attempt to thwart the critters.
Paul Hubbard
This is a really nice campground just minutes away from Mesa, AZ, and close to the lower Salt River Recreation Area. There are some wonderful trails, everything from easy. To moderately difficult, short to long (9+ miles). There is water and 50/30 amp service, but no sewer. Restrooms and showers are well kept and clean. Nice and quiet!
Julian Liby
Great hiking area to soak in the gorgeous Arizona landscape and wildlife - especially the cacti! Some of the largest we’d ever seen, and the park allows nature to take its course so you will come across cacti in various stages of life, even when they’ve fallen over and have started returning to nature. The trails we took were flat and relatively easy, but the ground is often rocky, sandy and a bit uneven to wear appropriate shoes of course!
The Whole 9 Handyman Services LLC
Camping here is a must! I did not have time to explore it all but I will be back! Great drone area as well!
Allison Wood
We love camping at Maricopa County parks. They do a fantastic job in every way. Campsites are well spaced, clean, in working order and amenities are as described. Even the black water dumping station here at Usery is the nicest one we have been to! There are more popular parks and we enjoy them all but Usery is really a beautiful park. It is also a best of both worlds place to stay while exploring this area of Arizona. You are in the wilderness and close to the Salt River. Lakes, Superstition Mountain, Tonto National Forest but also shopping, restaurants, tourist destinations, a top notch shooting range and lovely golf courses. I am charmed by this park and rate it as one of the best in Arizona right up there with the very popular Lost Dutchman State Park! Great job Usery!