HomeArizonaMesa › Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center

Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center

4.6 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · Running trail in Mesa, Arizona · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicRestroomsWater

Nature preserve offering mountain-biking paths, hiking trails, reptiles and picnic areas.

What runners say about Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (67 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Outside, there are shaded water fountains and restrooms that are for the most part clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“This is the place to go if you want to see how beautiful the desert is.”

The nature center here is actually located outside of the park entrance which can throw some people off. Basically, it's right on your left hand side while driving in. There's plenty of parking here, and from this lot, you can take their newest trail loop- Lost Sheep and Chain Fruit.

★★★★★ — A , Feb 2021

Wonderful desert hiking and some amazing views this is also a great place for stargazing and sunsets usery mountain Park is a must stop destination

★★★★☆ — Kenneth , Oct 2020

So many different hiking trails to choose from at all different difficultly levels. Day pass is $7; absolutely worth every penny.

★★★★★ — Joel , Mar 2025

We mountain biked the mainly single track trails. The staff was very helpful and pleasant.

★★★★★ — Phil , Jan 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 67 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Wonderful desert hiking and some amazing views this is also a great place for stargazing and sunsets usery mountain Park is a must stop destination”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Outside, there are shaded water fountains and restrooms that are for the most part clean.”

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains

“Outside, there are shaded water fountains and restrooms that are for the most part clean.”

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Plan your run at Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitemaricopacountyparks.net
  • Phone(480) 984-0032

Hours

Monday 8 AM–4 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–4 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–4 PM
Thursday 8 AM–4 PM
Friday 8 AM–4 PM
Saturday 8 AM–4 PM
Sunday 8 AM–4 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center

3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207

Get directions

Running trails near Mesa

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Usery Mountain Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,921 reviews

Mesa, AZ

Scenic

A 3,648-acre park offering camping, archery & 29 miles of multi-use trails plus scenic wind caves.

under a mile away

Merkle Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Mesa, AZ

LoopMixedScenic

This loop trail through the desert in Usery Mountain Regional Park is lined with benches & cacti.

under a mile away

Wind Cave

4.7 ★★★★★ 459 reviews

Mesa, AZ

ShadedScenic

Popular hiking trail leading to a wind cave and featuring friendly chipmunks at the top.

1.4 miles away

hawes loop trail

Mesa, AZ

Loop

1.7 miles away

Desert Arroyo Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 223 reviews

Mesa, AZ

PavedScenicDog-friendly

58-acre landscape of protected desert with a looped trail system & an outdoor desert classroom.

1.9 miles away

Usery Mountain Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 189 reviews

Mesa, AZ

Scenic

Park featuring picnic areas, hiking and mountain biking trails, and facilities.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Mesa, AZ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.