Outdoors
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Mesa for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
29 mi southwest · Bureau 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.
29 mi north · 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.
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.
Map of 26 places loads as you scroll.
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.
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.
The 80-mile Black Canyon Trail provides visitors with a long-range backcountry trail riding, mountain biking, and hiking opportunity.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
The campground overlooks Roosevelt Lake and is nestled in the saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert.
The Frazier Horse Campground is nestled into a Sonoran desert landscape at Roosevelt Lake, one of Arizona's most outstanding water-based recreation areas.
Located on central Arizona's largest lake, Windy Hill offers great water recreation opportunities to the public.
Groups are drawn to Grapevine Campground's unique setting and expansive facilities.
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).
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.
The Sonoran Desert National Monument contains magnificent examples of untrammeled Sonoran Desert landscape.
Schoolhouse Campground is located in close proximity to the eastern shores of Roosevelt Lake with an elevation of 2,100 feet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by thekeenecrew.
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Meredith Johnsen.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Quartz Peak Trail (Bureau of Land Management), about 29 miles southwest of Mesa as the crow flies. Next are Riverside Campground (AZ) (29 mi) and Black Canyon National Recreation Trail (38 mi).
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.