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Day trips from Mesa

13 nearby parks, towns and places to explore, ordered by straight-line distance.

Things to do

Arizona State Capitol

16 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (21 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

State capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Hohokam Pima National MonumentNational park site

Hohokam Pima National Monument

17 miles south · straight-line distance

Ancient Hohokam village within the Gila River Indian Community.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

State park

Lost Dutchman State Park

20 miles east · straight-line distance

State park in Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

GlendaleTown

Glendale

24 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (30 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Town

Peoria

26 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (39 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

AvondaleTown

Avondale

30 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (36 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

GoodyearTown

Goodyear

31 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (36 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Casa Grande Ruins National MonumentNational park site

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

34 miles southeast · straight-line distance

National monument in Coolidge, Arizona.

HistoryPicnickingAgency site ↗

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

SurpriseTown

Surprise

35 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (46 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Boyce Thompson ArboretumState park

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

40 miles east · straight-line distance

Botanical garden.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

National park site

Tonto National Monument

45 miles east · straight-line distance

National monument in Gila County, Arizona.

HikingPicnickingAgency site ↗

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

State park

Picacho Peak State Park

60 miles southeast · straight-line distance

State park in Pinal County, Arizona, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Things to do

Pima Air & Space Museum

105 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 55 min by car (130 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

Aerospace museum in Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Driving times are typical estimates from the city center without live traffic, Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Distances are straight-line measurements from the city, not driving distance. Saved road estimates have no consistently recorded source date and are not current traffic; estimates to park centers, water locations or inconsistent routes are omitted. Named-destination route links are not verified entrances. Place descriptions come from Wikidata; photo credits below include recorded capture dates when available. A photograph does not show current conditions.

Outdoor places near Mesa

40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 72 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.

Recreation area

WestWorld

15 miles north · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

WestWorld is located in north Scottsdale at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert with over 360 acres of pristine landscaping, the covered Equidome Arena, Brett's Barn, and state-of-the-art equine facilities…

HikingHorseback ridingPicnickingRecreational Vehicles

Recreation area

Sierra Estrella Wilderness

28 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 14,400-acre Sierra Estrella Wilderness, located just 15 miles southwest of Phoenix, contains one of the most rugged mountain ranges in Arizona.

Dispersed CampingHikingWilderness

Recreation area

Quartz Peak Trail

29 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

Quartz Peak Trail, in the 14,400-acre Sierra Estrella Wilderness , leads visitors from the floor of Rainbow Valley (elevation 1,550 feet) to the summit ridge of the Sierra Estrella at Quartz Peak (elevation 4,052 feet) in just three miles.

HikingWildernessWildlife viewing

Campground

Riverside Campground (AZ)

29 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 20 min by car (53 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Riverside Campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. With the campground’s proximity to water, fisherman and avid water recreationalists enjoy this spot all year long.

BirdingCampingCanoeingNon-Motorized BoatingPhotographyWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

34 miles southeast · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins.

HistoryPicnicking

Recreation area

Black Canyon National Recreation Trail

38 miles northwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 80-mile Black Canyon Trail provides visitors with a long-range backcountry trail riding, mountain biking, and hiking opportunity.

Accessible Facility Or ActivityCampingHikingHorseback ridingMountain BikingPicnickingWildlife viewing

Campground

Burnt Corral Campground

38 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 55 min by car (99 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Burnt Corral Campground and Recreation Area (elevation 1914') is about 5.8 miles south of Roosevelt Dam along the Apache Trail (AZ Hwy 88) along the shoreline of Apache Lake.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingPaddlingPhotographyPicnicking

Campground

C C C (AZ) Tonto NF

38 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 25 min by car (48 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Civilian Conservation Corps Campground offers spread out camp sites with large sycamore trees providing shade. Picnic tables and firepits with cooking grates are available for families to enjoy while passing the time away together.

BirdingCampingHikingMountain BikingOff Road Vehicle Trails

Campground

Cave Creek Group Site

38 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 25 min by car (49 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Cave Creek Group Site is located 20 miles north of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. It is a historic campground constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

BikingCampingFishingHikingHunting

Campground

Mesquite (AZ)

38 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 30 min by car (52 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site.

CampingCanoeingFishingHikingKayakingOff Road Vehicle TrailsPaddlingPhotography

Campground

Horseshoe (AZ)

39 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (54 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground. Offering more developed campground sites with picnic tables, fire pits and access to the Verde River at campsites 11 and 12.

BirdingCampingCanoeingFishingKayakingNon-Motorized BoatingOff Road Vehicle TrailsPaddling

Recreation area

Tonto National Forest

39 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service

BikingBoatingCampingClimbingFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback riding

Campground

Cholla Campground

42 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (88 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Cholla Campground at Roosevelt Lake, is one of several campgrounds on the shores of the largest lake/reservoir located entirely in the State of Arizona. It is situated within a lush sonoran desert landscape at an elevation of 2168'.

BikingBoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingKayakingPaddling

Recreation area

Lake Pleasant

42 miles northwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

This newly expanded reservoir has 114 miles of shoreline for family recreation uses. The reservoir boasts a 10-lane boat ramp; parking for 200 vehicles. Recreational facilities concentrated primarily on the reservoir's western shore.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryOff-highway vehiclesPicnicking

Campground

Frazier Group Campground

43 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (94 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The campground overlooks Roosevelt Lake and is nestled in the saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingWildlife viewing

Campground

Frazier Horse Campground

43 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (94 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Frazier Horse Campground is nestled into a Sonoran desert landscape at Roosevelt Lake, one of Arizona's most outstanding water-based recreation areas.

CampingHorse CampingHorseback ridingPhotographyPicnickingWater AccessWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Tonto National Monument

44 miles east · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant groups that lived in the Tonto Basin.

HikingPicnicking

Recreation area

Estrella Wayside Recreation Area

45 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The Estrella Wayside Recreation Area is in the Sonoran Desert National Monument . The area includes parking, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings just off Maricopa Road. Four primitive campsites are north of Maricopa Road off route 8002B.

Accessible Facility Or ActivityBird WatchingCampingDispersed CampingHikingHistoric SitesHorseback ridingPicnicking

Recreation area

White Canyon Wilderness

45 miles east · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 5,790-acre White Canyon Wilderness in Arizona is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the White Canyon Wilderness became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964.

BackpackingDispersed CampingHikingWilderness

Campground

Windy Hill Campground

46 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 50 min by car (98 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Located on central Arizona's largest lake, Windy Hill offers great water recreation opportunities to the public.

BoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingKayakingPaddlingPhotography

Campground

Grapevine Group Campground

47 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 55 min by car (102 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Groups are drawn to Grapevine Campground's unique setting and expansive facilities.

BikingBoatingCampingHikingWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Hell's Canyon Wilderness

47 miles northwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 9,951-acre Hells Canyon Wilderness Area is a portion of the Hieroglyphic Mountains. The most prominent peaks are Garfias Mountain at 3,381 feet (1,030.5 m) and Hellgate Mountain at 3,339 feet (1,017.7 m).

BackpackingClimbingDispersed CampingRock ClimbingWildernessWildlife viewing

Campground

Margies Cove West Campground

48 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

Margies Cove West Campground is located in the Sonoran Desert National Monument . includes day-use parking for ten vehicles, three primitive campsites with picnic tables and steel fire rings, a vault toilet, and informational signage.

BirdingCampingCamping AreaStargazingWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Sonoran Desert National Monument

48 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The Sonoran Desert National Monument contains magnificent examples of untrammeled Sonoran Desert landscape.

BackpackingBirdingCampingDispersed CampingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingHunting

Campground

Schoolhouse Campground (AZ)

49 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr by car (105 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Schoolhouse Campground is located in close proximity to the eastern shores of Roosevelt Lake with an elevation of 2,100 feet.

AmphitheaterBikingBoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingKayaking

Recreation area

Table Top Wilderness

49 miles south · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness lies in the southeastern Sonoran Desert National Monument .

HikingWilderness

Recreation area

Lava Flow Trail

51 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

In the Table Top Wilderness within the Sonoran Desert National Monument, the Lava Flow Trail offers a hiking opportunity of light to moderate difficulty in a varied and dramatic Sonoran Desert landscape.

HikingHorseback ridingPicnickingWildernessWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Arizona National Scenic Trail

53 miles southeast · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The Arizona National Scenic Trail spans over 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. This multi-use non-motorized, long-distance trail highlights Arizona’s topographic, biologic, historic, and cultural diversity.

BackpackingBikingBird WatchingBirdingCampingDispersed CampingHikingHorseback riding

Recreation area

Table Top Trail

53 miles south · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

Table Top Trail, in the 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness , takes visitors from the floor of Vekol Valley (elevation 2,299 feet) to the summit of Table Top Mountain (elevation 4,356 feet) in just 3.5 miles.

CampingCamping AreaHikingPicnickingWildernessWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Agua Fria National Monument

58 miles north · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

Plan Your Visit Visitors to Agua Fria National Monument can hike in rugged landscapes, view rock art, and experience wide‑open desert vistas with few built facilities.

BikingBirdingDispersed CampingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingOff-highway vehiclesPhotography

Campground

Horsethief Cabin

58 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 40 min by car (101 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Horsethief Cabin is situated in a clearing of Ponderosa pines at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National Forest.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingWildlife viewing

Campground

Kellner Group Campground

58 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 30 min by car (76 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Kellner Group Site is nestled at the base of the beautiful Pinal Mountains south of Globe, Arizona. Several picnic areas are separeted from the larger group area creating a semi-secluded setting.

BikingCampingHuntingMountain BikingOff Road Vehicle TrailsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Homestead Climbing Area

63 miles east · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

Sport climbing on limestone cliffs in a remote, scenic high desert backcountry within a two-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson.

CampingCanyoneeringClimbingHikingRock Climbing

Recreation area

Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness

65 miles northwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 11,840-acre Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness Area is about eight miles northeast of Wickenburg. It is 48 miles northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, in Yavapai County.

BackpackingHikingHorseback ridingPhotographyWilderness

Recreation area

Woolsey Peak Wilderness

66 miles west · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

Congress added the Woolsey Peak portion of the Gila Bend Mountains to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1990, citing the rugged topography, colorful scenic vistas, rich variety of wildlife and vegetation, and outstanding…

BackpackingCampingDispersed CampingHikingHorseback ridingWildernessWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Gila River Recreation Area

68 miles east · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The Gila River recreation area is located along the Gila River and Arizona State Route (SR) 77 between the Town of Winkelman and Globe in Gila County, Arizona.

BoatingCampingCamping AreaCanoeingFish Viewing SiteFishingPicnickingWater Access

Recreation area

Signal Mountain Wilderness

68 miles west · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 13,350-acre Signal Mountain Wilderness is in southwest Maricopa County, 18 miles northwest of Gila Bend and 35 miles southwest of Phoenix.

BackpackingClimbingDispersed CampingHikingRock ClimbingWilderness

Recreation area

Ironwood Forest National Monument

69 miles south · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The Ironwood Forest National Monument, which takes its name from one of the longest living trees in the Arizona desert, is 189,600 acres, of which 128,400 acres are administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with the balance of…

BackpackingBird WatchingCampingDispersed CampingHikingHistoric SitesHistoryHunting

Recreation area

Needle's Eye Wilderness

72 miles east · straight-line distanceBureau of Land Management

The 8,760-acre Needle's Eye Wilderness in Arizona is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

BackpackingDispersed CampingWilderness

Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 9, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

What day-trip ideas are near Mesa?

This guide includes Arizona State Capitol, Hohokam Pima National Monument, Lost Dutchman State Park, Glendale, Peoria. Places are ordered by straight-line distance. Confirm visitor access, opening hours and current travel conditions before choosing a trip.

How far is Arizona State Capitol from Mesa?

Approximately 16 miles west in a straight line; driving takes about 25 min over 21 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a verified visitor entrance. Use the named destination and confirm the appropriate entrance or transport.

How far is Hohokam Pima National Monument from Mesa?

Approximately 17 miles south in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a verified visitor entrance. Use the named destination and confirm the appropriate entrance or transport.

How far is Lost Dutchman State Park from Mesa?

Approximately 20 miles east in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a verified visitor entrance. Use the named destination and confirm the appropriate entrance or transport.

Where can I camp near Mesa?

Recreation.gov lists 16 campgrounds within 58 miles, including Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site (17 miles northeast), Riverside Campground (AZ) (29 miles north), Burnt Corral Campground (38 miles east). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.

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