Maricopa County Parks

08/28/2026

🏕️ BOGO camping is back!

Maricopa County residents can enjoy a little more time under the stars this fall. 🌵✨ Stay 2–7 consecutive nights and get one night FREE, or stay 8–14 nights and get two nights FREE!

The promotion runs Sept. 18–Oct. 31 at participating regional parks.

Pack the camper or grab the tent and start planning your fall getaway! 🍂

👉 Details, participating parks & restrictions:
www.maricopacountyparks.net/things-to-do/buy-one-get-one/

08/27/2026

⚠️ Estrella Mountain Regional Park Update

Storm damage from August 17 continues to impact several areas of the park. Some trailheads remain open, while the playground, concrete path, nearby ramadas, and Nature Center have temporary closures.

Please review the graphic before your visit for the latest information.

Thank you for your patience as repairs continue.

Website alert: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/estrella---storm-damage-update-and-temporary-closures/

08/27/2026

🚧 Construction Alert | Desert Hills Area

Beginning Monday, September 14, Maricopa County Department of Transportation will begin construction on the Skunk Creek Crossing Project.

During construction, the Maricopa Trail will be rerouted while crews install concrete culverts designed to safely channel floodwater through the area.

🥾 Maricopa Trail users: Please follow the posted detour and use caution when traveling through the area. The impacted section is highlighted in light blue within the circled area on the graphic.

Construction is expected to continue through April 2027.

Thank you for your patience while this important work is completed!

Website alert: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/maricopa-trail---temporary-construction-at-skunk-creek-crossing/

08/26/2026

🦋 Calling all butterfly lovers!

Join us for our Pollinators BioBlitz this September!

Start with our virtual Butterfly Workshop on September 16 to brush up on your butterfly identification skills. Then put those skills to work at one of our Butterfly Monitoring Programs on September 19 at participating parks.

🦋 Learn. Explore. Observe. Help us document our local pollinators!

Registration required.

Virtual Workshop: https://signup.com/go/VgpAnsU
Monitoring Programs: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/events/?F_m=9&F_c=26

08/17/2026

🔥 Apparently, someone would like to speak to the park supervisor.

This roadrunner at San Tan Mountain Regional Park spent some time racing back and forth outside the Nature Center, pecking at the window, and seemingly wondering why staff got to enjoy the air conditioning while he was stuck outside. 🐦💨❄️

Between the heavy panting and occasional side-eye, we think his review of the situation was pretty clear: zero stars. 😒😂

All joking aside, Arizona’s summer heat is tough, even for wildlife adapted to the desert. If you’re heading to the parks, please plan your visit carefully, carry PLENTY of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours, and pay attention to heat advisories.

Stay cool out there. Our local roadrunner certainly wishes he could. 🌵☀️

08/14/2026

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help the desert grow! 🌱

Join us for a hands-on Seed Pellet Workshop where you’ll learn how native seeds are processed and mixed with clay, soil/compost, and water to create seed pellets that support ecological restoration.

📍 Cave Creek Regional Park
📅 September 18 | 8–11:30 a.m. | https://signup.com/go/yCxtVev

📍 Usery Mountain Regional Park
📅 October 2 | 8–11:30 a.m. | https://signup.com/go/dvcpZyy

Please bring water and a snack, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Families are welcome; parents must remain with minors. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

08/10/2026

AL the tortoise is turning 29! 🐢Join us in celebrating his birthday this Saturday August 15th. His SHELL-ebration will include getting to meet him, as well as learn all about the Sonoran Desert Tortoise.

If you want to learn more about tortoises, do something indoors with AC, or just want to celebrate AL join us at the Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center anytime between 10:00am-12:00pm!🎉

08/10/2026

🦂 August Eco-Blitz Challenge

What's small, stealthy, and glows under UV light? An Arizona bark scorpion!

This month, we're putting the spotlight on these nocturnal neighbors. Learn more about the role they play in the desert ecosystem and where they're often found.

- Park programs: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/events/?F_c=29
- Eco-Blitz program: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/about-us/eco-blitz/
- iNaturalist program: https://bit.ly/MCParksiNaturalist

08/04/2026

Are you an early riser looking for something fun to do this weekend? Consider coming out to Estrella Mountain Regional Park for a birding walk with park volunteer Tom Locascio! Details at the link below.

Join experienced birder and Park Volunteer Tom Locascio—a proud member of the Audubon Society and Sun City Birding Club—for a guided bird walk through Estrella Mountain Regional Park. After the walk, gather in the Nature Center classroom for an engaging presentation on the park’s feathered re...

07/31/2026

Happy World Ranger Day! This annual observance was started by the International Ranger Federation to "commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet's natural treasures and cultural heritage." The theme for this year is "Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet."

Around the world, Rangers perform vital work. This year's theme highlights a well understood fact. Our planet is changing, evolving, in a constant state of flux--and Rangers are on the front line of protecting our most cherished places and educating people about the myriad of threats facing them, along with ways to be better stewards of our desert. Reflecting on America's 250th birthday, it is safe to say that Park Rangers are an important and cherished part of the American story and we couldn't be more proud to continue that tradition.

Here in Maricopa County, we see a myriad of examples of a changing planet. Warming temperatures, less rain, more wildfires, rapid urbanization and development: these all make our mission to conserve the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert and educate our visitors about its history, flora, fauna, and vulnerabilities even more important. We stand on the front line of a changing landscape and our Rangers help our visitors create lasting memories and personal connections between people and their public lands.

At Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, we have a team of seven amazing Interpretive Rangers who provide thousands of hours of educational programming, community science, and conservation work every year on behalf of our citizens and visitors. On this , please join us in thanking our Rangers for all the incredible work they do, and please consider attending a Ranger program in the future! Our monthly calendar of events can be found at www.maricopa.gov/parks.

-- Parks Education Supervisor Steve D.