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McDowell Mountain Regional Park — Attraction in Fountain Hills

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McDowell Mountain Regional Park
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McDowell Mountain Regional Park things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
United StatesArizonaFountain HillsMcDowell Mountain Regional Park

Basic Info

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
4.8(643)
Open 24 hours
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Ratings & Description

Info

Outdoor
Adventure
Scenic
Family friendly
Pet friendly
attractions: , restaurants:
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Phone
(480) 471-0173
Website
maricopacountyparks.net

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Things to do nearby

Lakeside Meditation and Tea
Lakeside Meditation and Tea
Thu, Jan 1 ‱ 9:00 AM
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85258, United States
View details
POSH Phoenix New Years Eve 2026 Party  | Caesars Republic Scottsdale
POSH Phoenix New Years Eve 2026 Party | Caesars Republic Scottsdale
Wed, Dec 31 ‱ 8:00 PM
4747 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
View details
Take a flight lesson in an open cockpit biplane
Take a flight lesson in an open cockpit biplane
Thu, Jan 1 ‱ 12:00 PM
Mesa, Arizona, 85215
View details
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Reviews of McDowell Mountain Regional Park

4.8
(643)
avatar
5.0
1y

McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a true gem in the heart of Arizona, and I cannot sing its praises enough. From the moment I entered the park, I was captivated by the stunning natural beauty that unfolded before me. As a Google Guide, I feel compelled to share my exceptional experience and award McDowell Mountain Regional Park a well-deserved five-star review.

First and foremost, the park's well-maintained trails provide an unparalleled opportunity to immerse oneself in the breathtaking Sonoran Desert landscape. The variety of trails caters to all levels of hikers, from beginners to seasoned adventurers. Whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, McDowell Mountain Regional Park has something for everyone. The trails are clearly marked, making navigation a breeze, and the diverse flora and fauna along the way add an extra layer of wonder to the hiking experience.

What sets McDowell Mountain Regional Park apart is its commitment to preserving the natural environment. The park's conservation efforts are evident in the pristine condition of the trails and the careful integration of facilities without compromising the ecosystem. I appreciate the park's dedication to sustainability, and it enhances the overall experience knowing that my visit contributes to the conservation of this unique desert habitat.

The park's amenities are top-notch, providing a seamless and enjoyable visit for all. Clean and well-maintained restroom facilities are strategically placed throughout the park, ensuring comfort and convenience for visitors. The shaded picnic areas are perfect for a relaxing break, allowing visitors to soak in the stunning surroundings while enjoying a meal or snack. The thoughtful design and maintenance of these amenities showcase the park's commitment to visitor satisfaction.

Furthermore, McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers an array of recreational activities beyond hiking. The mountain biking trails are a thrill for cycling enthusiasts, providing an adrenaline-packed adventure against the backdrop of picturesque desert landscapes. The equestrian trails cater to horseback riders, adding a unique and enjoyable dimension to the park's offerings. The diversity of activities ensures that visitors can tailor their experience to their preferences, making McDowell Mountain Regional Park an ideal destination for families, friends, and solo explorers alike.

The staff at McDowell Mountain Regional Park deserves commendation for their friendly and informative approach. Whether seeking trail recommendations or inquiring about the park's history, the staff members are knowledgeable and eager to assist. Their passion for the park and dedication to ensuring a positive visitor experience contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment of McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

In conclusion, McDowell Mountain Regional Park exceeded my expectations in every aspect. The combination of breathtaking scenery, well-maintained trails, environmental conservation efforts, and excellent amenities make it a standout destination in the Arizona desert. I wholeheartedly give McDowell Mountain Regional Park a five-star rating and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a memorable outdoor adventure. This park truly captures the essence of Arizona's natural beauty, making it a must-visit for locals and...

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avatar
5.0
5y

McDowell Mountain is a phenomenal park, as are all Maricopa County parks. This particular one is popular for its bicycle offerings. It's a stunning park and the views from camp never disappoint. There's a cute little playground in the campground for the wee ones as well as lots of trails to chose from.

It's consistent with the other Maricopa parks in that the partial hookups were reliable and the restrooms and showers always clean. The camp hosts are top-notch and turn the sites around quickly for the next occupant with their efficient system of cleaning and raking.

Like many other visitors, we pieced together our 12-night stay at 3 different campsites due to the nature of the reservation system. It tends to work out since we need to dump tanks from time-to-time anyway so we simply timed that activity with move days. The dump station was often very busy but everyone is always friendly and it just turns into a social event since most of us are doing the same thing by dumping on "move" days.

All 3 of the sites we stayed in (10, 11, and 26) were level and easy to navigate with plenty of room to unhook the truck and unload the sidecar from the toy hauler. They were typically too short to park the front in front of the trailer so it got parked off to the side.

Verizon cell signal was frustrating without having our signal booster installed yet. Just enough connection to make us think we could use it but really we just spent the whole time trying unsuccessfully to connect. I suspect with the booster running we would have been fine to keep working without that frustration.

The nearby town of Fountain Hills is known for its fountain that spouts on the hour. It was once the tallest in the world and you can see it from many places in the park.

Non-park tip: We found the nearby town, Fountain Hills, to be crowded and unpleasant, and the residents notably snobby. There are no laundromats, only laundry services so you'll need to look elsewhere to do the wash. We chose the Spin Doctor in Mesa and it was the best laundromat I've ever been in, and I've been in lots all over the country...

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avatar
1.0
7y

Beware of complaining about poor customer service at the visitor center. Had been at one site for a week and then another site I just paid daily as I didn't know how long I would be staying. One day because of unexpected circumstances I went into town and couldn't get back until 1pm. Janine at the desk attacked me about this RULE of paying by noon. So much that I felt she was being at antagonist and just wanted to leave it was not a good situation. I paid and left, well she spelled my name wrong on the tag, when I wenter back she refused to change it, this was just a mistake! Then Janine and the biker looking guy with the foot long goat tee accused me of being antognistic and threatening. The guy threatened to call the sheriff department on me, I left with botchef last name in hand. After 3pm the 2 sheriff's deputies came by in 2 separate vehicles! Then at 6:30 am the biker looking staff member drives by my rv and 30 minutes later 3 sheriff's deputies come by again in 2 cruisers. The next 3 days were constant terror and intimidation from staff driving by watching. No crime was committed just a disagreement, but park staff felt the solution was to call the sheriff's department. Of course there is no video to support my request for a review by the HR department. Ruined my time at the park by their extreme reaction, their bullying and intimidation tactics. Just be warned about making anyone feel "uncomfortable" with...

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phoenixwithkidsphoenixwithkids
The @maricopaparks are an awesome system of hiking trails, camping, nature centers, and more - including some fun desert themed playgrounds! đŸŒ”bookmark and share for these beautiful days đŸŒ” There are 13 parks with the Maricopa Regional Parks, and 6 have the unique playgrounds that kids will love. You’ll get to climb and slide on creatures like a rattlesnake and Gila monster, or a cactus without the spikes. Bonus, these playgrounds are shaded too! Cave Creek Regional Park* 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 Estrella Regional Park* 14805 W Vineyard Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338 Lake Pleasant Regional Park 39345 N Overlook Rd, Peoria, AZ 85383 McDowell Mountain Regional Park* 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264 Usery Mountain Regional Park 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207 *=featured in the reel Note: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park has a playground but it’s not themed. Entry is $7/car, or $85 for an annual pass. Definitely pack a picnic lunch and plan to explore as places like Estrella currently have wildflowers, and Lake Pleasant has the obvious lake to enjoy. Learn more at https://www.maricopacountyparks.net . đŸŒ”And did you know we have a park map listing ALL the parks in the Phoenix metro area?? Comment “newsletter” and we’ll DM link so you can sign up and find the map in tomorrow’s newsletter! đŸŒ”
Val WestonVal Weston
McDowell Mountain is a phenomenal park, as are all Maricopa County parks. This particular one is popular for its bicycle offerings. It's a stunning park and the views from camp never disappoint. There's a cute little playground in the campground for the wee ones as well as lots of trails to chose from. It's consistent with the other Maricopa parks in that the partial hookups were reliable and the restrooms and showers always clean. The camp hosts are top-notch and turn the sites around quickly for the next occupant with their efficient system of cleaning and raking. Like many other visitors, we pieced together our 12-night stay at 3 different campsites due to the nature of the reservation system. It tends to work out since we need to dump tanks from time-to-time anyway so we simply timed that activity with move days. The dump station was often very busy but everyone is always friendly and it just turns into a social event since most of us are doing the same thing by dumping on "move" days. All 3 of the sites we stayed in (10, 11, and 26) were level and easy to navigate with plenty of room to unhook the truck and unload the sidecar from the toy hauler. They were typically too short to park the front in front of the trailer so it got parked off to the side. Verizon cell signal was frustrating without having our signal booster installed yet. Just enough connection to make us think we could use it but really we just spent the whole time trying unsuccessfully to connect. I suspect with the booster running we would have been fine to keep working without that frustration. The nearby town of Fountain Hills is known for its fountain that spouts on the hour. It was once the tallest in the world and you can see it from many places in the park. Non-park tip: We found the nearby town, Fountain Hills, to be crowded and unpleasant, and the residents notably snobby. There are no laundromats, only laundry services so you'll need to look elsewhere to do the wash. We chose the Spin Doctor in Mesa and it was the best laundromat I've ever been in, and I've been in lots all over the country in my travels.
Denise GaryDenise Gary
This is a nice park with very well-maintained trails. Like all regional parks in the area, there are lots of visitors. It is apparently a biking paradise. There is even a competitive track here. For a hiker, having bikes flying by on the trail isn't the greatest, but I must say, every biker I encountered was extremely courteous. I hiked the 3-mile North Trail, which featured very lush desert plants and many packrat nests. There is an interpretive map available for this trail, which I thought was excellent. I always like to learn about the natural history of a location. There are also plenty of ranger-led programs offered. I hear the Scenic Trail is also very pretty, especially when wildflowers are in bloom. A big negative for me: there are plenty of picnic areas, but I never found any that had shade covers, other than those at the visitor center. For a desert location, that's pretty lousy. Overall, it's a solid multiuse park.
See more posts
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The @maricopaparks are an awesome system of hiking trails, camping, nature centers, and more - including some fun desert themed playgrounds! đŸŒ”bookmark and share for these beautiful days đŸŒ” There are 13 parks with the Maricopa Regional Parks, and 6 have the unique playgrounds that kids will love. You’ll get to climb and slide on creatures like a rattlesnake and Gila monster, or a cactus without the spikes. Bonus, these playgrounds are shaded too! Cave Creek Regional Park* 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 Estrella Regional Park* 14805 W Vineyard Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338 Lake Pleasant Regional Park 39345 N Overlook Rd, Peoria, AZ 85383 McDowell Mountain Regional Park* 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264 Usery Mountain Regional Park 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207 *=featured in the reel Note: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park has a playground but it’s not themed. Entry is $7/car, or $85 for an annual pass. Definitely pack a picnic lunch and plan to explore as places like Estrella currently have wildflowers, and Lake Pleasant has the obvious lake to enjoy. Learn more at https://www.maricopacountyparks.net . đŸŒ”And did you know we have a park map listing ALL the parks in the Phoenix metro area?? Comment “newsletter” and we’ll DM link so you can sign up and find the map in tomorrow’s newsletter! đŸŒ”
phoenixwithkids

phoenixwithkids

hotel
Find your stay

Affordable Hotels in Fountain Hills

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Get the Appoverlay
Get the AppOne tap to find yournext favorite spots!
McDowell Mountain is a phenomenal park, as are all Maricopa County parks. This particular one is popular for its bicycle offerings. It's a stunning park and the views from camp never disappoint. There's a cute little playground in the campground for the wee ones as well as lots of trails to chose from. It's consistent with the other Maricopa parks in that the partial hookups were reliable and the restrooms and showers always clean. The camp hosts are top-notch and turn the sites around quickly for the next occupant with their efficient system of cleaning and raking. Like many other visitors, we pieced together our 12-night stay at 3 different campsites due to the nature of the reservation system. It tends to work out since we need to dump tanks from time-to-time anyway so we simply timed that activity with move days. The dump station was often very busy but everyone is always friendly and it just turns into a social event since most of us are doing the same thing by dumping on "move" days. All 3 of the sites we stayed in (10, 11, and 26) were level and easy to navigate with plenty of room to unhook the truck and unload the sidecar from the toy hauler. They were typically too short to park the front in front of the trailer so it got parked off to the side. Verizon cell signal was frustrating without having our signal booster installed yet. Just enough connection to make us think we could use it but really we just spent the whole time trying unsuccessfully to connect. I suspect with the booster running we would have been fine to keep working without that frustration. The nearby town of Fountain Hills is known for its fountain that spouts on the hour. It was once the tallest in the world and you can see it from many places in the park. Non-park tip: We found the nearby town, Fountain Hills, to be crowded and unpleasant, and the residents notably snobby. There are no laundromats, only laundry services so you'll need to look elsewhere to do the wash. We chose the Spin Doctor in Mesa and it was the best laundromat I've ever been in, and I've been in lots all over the country in my travels.
Val Weston

Val Weston

hotel
Find your stay

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel
Find your stay

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Fountain Hills

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

This is a nice park with very well-maintained trails. Like all regional parks in the area, there are lots of visitors. It is apparently a biking paradise. There is even a competitive track here. For a hiker, having bikes flying by on the trail isn't the greatest, but I must say, every biker I encountered was extremely courteous. I hiked the 3-mile North Trail, which featured very lush desert plants and many packrat nests. There is an interpretive map available for this trail, which I thought was excellent. I always like to learn about the natural history of a location. There are also plenty of ranger-led programs offered. I hear the Scenic Trail is also very pretty, especially when wildflowers are in bloom. A big negative for me: there are plenty of picnic areas, but I never found any that had shade covers, other than those at the visitor center. For a desert location, that's pretty lousy. Overall, it's a solid multiuse park.
Denise Gary

Denise Gary

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