The footprints of Peralta Regional Park are not visible from the access road. That was the idea.
The Master Plan for Pinal County Park, due to open on January 12, 2023, relied heavily on shareholder input advocating for a minimally destructive footprint and protection of the natural landscape.
“The less development, the better,” said Kent Taylor, director of Pinal County Open Spaces and Trails, of information received from stakeholders.
Pre-construction feedback from government agencies and trail users such as bikers, hikers, and equestrians helped park planners consider everything.
“Some of the things that came out of our conversations with stakeholders we hadn’t even considered,” says Taylor. “It started with the idea of stargazing and incorporated this into the planning of trails and stargazing nodes.
“Second, the potential for rock climbing has emerged, which will be addressed in future Phase 2 plans for the park.”
Prescott Hike:See the granite Dells and the stone heart of Watson Lake.Method is as follows
What to Expect at Peralta Regional Park
Occupying pockets of nature in the upper Sonoran Desert at the edge of the Superstition Mountains and Tonto National Forest a few miles north of US 60 near Gold Canyon, the site is an amenity-rich park and a bare minimum. backcountry experience.
The roads are unpaved and the picnic and campsites are simple and designed with profiles and colors that blend in with the landscape.
“The park is 500 acres, but only 22 acres have been disturbed for construction,” Taylor said. “We wanted to use existing dirt roads as much as possible and not overdevelop them.”
Special care was also taken to protect native vegetation and soil.
“We harvested 100 saguaro trees during construction. was restored and planted with native species,” Taylor said.
Sedona Spot:This hiking area allows you to take in the views you want with a small number of people.Destination here
Steps from the Superstition Mountains and Tonto National Forest
The surrounding desert has long been a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The new park is located a few times down Peralta Road (Forest Road 77) from the Lost Goldmine Trail, the Kearny Springs Trailhead and the Peralta Trailhead. This trail is the starting point for the Peralta Canyon, Dutchmans, and Bluff Spring Trails in Superstition Mountain.
Camping at Peralta Regional Park follows a low-impact theme. It’s not “glamping”. There are no RV accommodations or cabins. Only tents are allowed. There are two types of tent camping opportunities that will appeal to those looking for a la-huit experience in the comfort of being within a managed space with a nearby site host and ranger in an emergency.
Choices are simple or primitive. Traditional car campgrounds are drive-up clearings with picnic tables and fire pits. The hike-in backpacking site is little more than a small clearing, accessible via a non-motorized trail, where pack hanger posts are the only luxury. With no electricity, water or garbage service, campers must pack essentials and pack all waste.
All camping and picnic sites have easy access to 9 miles of non-motorized trails and 1/4 mile of accessible, illustrated walking paths.
“Even in a compact space, we were able to build a variety of trails, from easy to difficult,” says Taylor.
With the exception of the Desperado and North Star trails, which have some challenging sections, the park trails are rated moderate and are good for creating loop options.
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Stargazing is a big attraction at Peralta Regional Park
The shiny Penny in the park is its stargazing node. A vortex, a sanctuary, and a starting point for education, the small gathering place is hidden in a natural bowl-like amphitheater with large sky views. The Science Center node has a circular sitting area with directional stanchions and a telescope room.
A short path takes you to a cliff-lined area flanked by a tree-lined waterway. A beautiful little spot that oozes as much spirituality as it does science.
not yet formally designated Location of the International Dark Sky Association, certification work is on the agenda. Taylor, who has camped in the area, says that at night there is no light pollution or outside noise, so the stars, planets, and galaxies would really pop out in the pitch-black darkness.
“We anticipate a lot of interest in viewing the night sky here, as well as requests for weddings that can be arranged with permission,” Taylor said.
Taylor laughed when asked if there was a prize for the first UFO spotter.
“We never thought that”
Peralta Regional Park
when: The planned opening date is January 12, 2023. Day use time is from dawn to 22:00.
access: From US 60 in Gold Canyon, turn left at the lights on Peralta Road (Forest Road 77), just past mile marker 204. Follow Peralta Road for 5 miles to the park entrance on the right. The Peralta Road is dirt groomed for all vehicles.
Admission fee: The daily fee is $7 per vehicle. Pay online in advance, scan his QR code at the park entrance, or use exact change at a self-service kiosk.
Main features:
- 9 miles of non-motorized trails ranging from accessible to challenging.
- Stargazing
- car and tent campsite
- picnic ramada
- interpretation trail
- equestrian staging area
- waterless toilet
Camping and Picnics: Campgrounds and picnic sites can be reserved online. Sites that are not reserved are on a first-come, first-served basis. Camp reservations are $10 per night. Picnic Ramada reservations are $10 per day ($35 for Group Ramadas).
detail: Peralta Regional Park, https://parks-trails.pinal.govNote: New website and online booking system are under construction. Users will be redirected when they become available.
Read more about hiking Mare Czinar http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com.
