Black Canyon National Recreation Trail
38 mi northwest · Bureau of Land Management
The 80-mile Black Canyon Trail provides visitors with a long-range backcountry trail riding, mountain biking, and hiking opportunity.
Outdoors
Biking and mountain biking near Mesa
Trails and recreation areas near Mesa open to biking and mountain biking.
14places to ride
38 mito the closest
November–Marchbest months
Good to know: Wilderness areas are closed to bikes; check each area’s trail rules and yield to hikers and horses.
Closest picks
Burnt Corral Campground
38 mi east · 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.
C C C (AZ) Tonto NF
38 mi north · 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.
Map of all 14 places
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30 to 75 miles (14)
Black Canyon National Recreation Trail
The 80-mile Black Canyon Trail provides visitors with a long-range backcountry trail riding, mountain biking, and hiking opportunity.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Burnt Corral Campground
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Picnicking
C C C (AZ) Tonto NF
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.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
Cave Creek Group Site
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).
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Tonto National Forest
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Cholla Campground
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'.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Paddling
Lake Pleasant
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Frazier Group Campground
The campground overlooks Roosevelt Lake and is nestled in the saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Wildlife viewing
Grapevine Group Campground
Groups are drawn to Grapevine Campground's unique setting and expansive facilities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Schoolhouse Campground (AZ)
Schoolhouse Campground is located in close proximity to the eastern shores of Roosevelt Lake with an elevation of 2,100 feet.
- Amphitheater
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Arizona National Scenic Trail
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.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Birding
- Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Agua Fria National Monument
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.
- Biking
- Birding
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Horsethief Cabin
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
Kellner Group Campground
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.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Mesa. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Mesa
Questions
Where is the closest place for biking near Mesa?
Black Canyon National Recreation Trail (Bureau of Land Management), about 38 miles northwest of Mesa as the crow flies. Next are Burnt Corral Campground (38 mi) and C C C (AZ) Tonto NF (38 mi).
When is the best time for biking near Mesa?
Based on Mesa’s average highs, November–March. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.