Pinal County: Desert, Trails and Hohokam Culture

Pinal County is a place of sharp contrasts: mining communities shape the landscape in the east, while agricultural settlements lie in the western lowland desert. The county’s outdoor resources include five state parks, four wilderness areas, three national monuments, two national forests and one National Scenic Trail. A trip can therefore focus on a range of landscapes and natural features.

Wide-ranging trails and different types of outings

About 100 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail pass through Pinal County, with the county managing around 50 miles. There are three facilities at trailheads along the trail. Overnight tent camping is allowed at all three trailheads. If you plan to camp, check the information posted at the trailheads before setting out.

The CAP National Recreation Trail

In Pinal County, the CAP National Recreation Trail follows a canal through the desert and agricultural landscape of south-central Arizona. Once completed, it is intended to connect Red Rock, Eloy, Coolidge, Florence and Apache Junction. The trail is mostly unpaved and relatively flat, making it suitable for gravel biking, walking, running and horseback riding. This means the trail can appeal to more than one type of visitor.

One section runs along the elevated maintenance road beside the canal, offering about 10 miles of flat, technically easy riding. This is a useful point of reference for anyone who prioritizes terrain and technical difficulty when cycling. The planned connection between the five communities remains contingent on the trail’s completion.

Hiking in the Superstition Mountains

The Lost Goldmine Trail covers about 9 miles through the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, right along the Superstition Wilderness area. Desert bighorn sheep are often spotted on the trail, though a sighting is not guaranteed on every visit. The trail and all associated trailheads are open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check the opening hours before you go.

Peralta Regional Park in the Superstition Mountains has more than 9 miles of multipurpose, non-motorized trails. The descriptions distinguish the two options: Lost Goldmine is a single route about 9 miles long, while Peralta Regional Park offers a network of more than 9 miles of trails. Both details help you understand the type of hiking each offers.

Birdwatching and riparian habitats

The Pinal County Birding Trail includes birdwatching sites for 422 bird species found in Pinal County year-round. The species you may see vary by season. All trail locations are open to the public and offer easy access and parking. The sites are surrounded by riparian habitats, among the most species-rich areas in the American Southwest.

Picacho Peak State Park has hiking trails through Sonoran Desert habitats, where plants, birds and animals adapted to desert life can be found. The campground has a total of 78 electrical hookups for tents and RVs. If camping is part of your plans, check current conditions and reservation options in advance.

Casa Grande and Hohokam culture

Another highlight is Casa Grande: the four-story building is 18 meters (60 feet) long, has earthen walls and was built by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People of the Hohokam culture. It is the only surviving example of a freestanding, multistory earthen Great House of the Hohokam culture. Its architecture and place in this cultural history offer a different focus from trails through desert and riparian landscapes.

When planning your trip, you can start by weighing up what you want to focus on: the CAP National Recreation Trail connects different activities with a clearly described trail profile; Lost Goldmine and Peralta offer hiking in the Superstition Mountains. The Birding Trail highlights seasonal variation in birdwatching, while Picacho Peak and Casa Grande add nature and cultural themes.

Discover more destinations: Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Florence, Eloy, Coolidge, Gold Canyon, Arizona City, Yavapai.

Go to the main travel overview: Arizona.