Adobe Dam was built in 1982 to dam the flow of the New River to Agua Fria.
Carlos Chavez/Republic
Benches are available at scenic spots on the Clay Mine Trail at Cave Creek Regional Park.
Mare Chinar/Republic
Tempe resident Hilary Wessenberg takes photos of native flowers near the nature center at Cave Creek Regional Park.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic
Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers share the trails at Cave Creek Regional Park.
Mare Chinar/Republic
John Ardal (front), Nadine Hamilton and Craig Branahan compete in the Aravaipa Running Elephant Mountain Desert Runner Trail Series at Cave Creek Regional Park.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic
Hikers stroll along the Quartz Trail at Cave Creek Regional Park. This trail takes visitors past saguaros and other cacti found in the Sonoran Desert.
John Stanley/Republic
Hikers enjoy the outdoors at Yusley Mountain Regional Park.
Nick Oza/The Republic
A view from a picnic table at Yusley Mountain Regional Park in Mesa.
Joel Angel Juarez/Republic
A cactus along Blevins Trail at Yusley Mountain Regional Park in Mesa.
Joel Angel Juarez/Republic
Wildflowers bloom at the Quail Trailhead at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
Antranik Tavitian/Republic
Wildflowers bloom at the Quail Trailhead at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
Antranik Tavitian/Republic
A lone wildflower blooms at the Quail Trailhead at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
Antranik Tavitian/Republic
Quail Trail at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear.
David Wallace/The Republic
Saguaro along the Rainbow Valley Trail in Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear.
David Wallace/The Republic
Hassayampa River Reserve is one of the few places where the river flows above ground.
Roger Naylor/The Republic
At the Hassayampa River Preserve, nearly 3 miles of trails loop under the shade of cottonwoods, willows, and California fan palms.
Roger Naylor
Lake Pleasant Regional Park's Pipeline Trail crosses a floating bridge over a small cove.
tony silva
Lake Pleasant Regional Park features a beautiful lake tucked away among dense mountains.
tony silva
Sailors enjoy a warm December day in the 70's at Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
Kristin Keith/The Republic
Glendale Community College students work on the Maricopa Trail as part of the Conservation Group program at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
Nick Oza/The Republic
Maricopa Trail at White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Hikers walk the Maricopa Trail at White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Maricopa Trail at White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic
Cyclists take advantage of the good weather to navigate the rugged terrain of the Dynamite Trail at San Tan Mountain Regional Park in Queen Creek.
Megan Mendoza/Republic
Cholla and saguaro cacti line the Stargazer Trail.
David Wallace/The Republic
The Moonlight Trail and Stargazer Trail at San Tan Mountain Regional Park are easy treks for kids and novice hikers.
Mare Chinar/Republic
Rand Havel, former park supervisor at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, rides the Pemberton Trail Loop on his electric bike.
Antranik Tavitian/Republic
As the sun sets, people head out for full moon hikes at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
Patrick Breen/The Republic
The Cave Creek crossing occurs early on the Spur Cross Trail in the Spur Cross Ranch Preserve.
Mare Chinar/Republic
Arizona Horseback Adventures (formerly known as Spur Cross Stables) is located on the edge of the Spur Cross Ranch Preserve.
arizona horseback riding adventure
Sparkcross Reserve.
Mare Chinar/Republic
Keith Turlington (from left), Daniel Layton and Jacob Mone hike the Vulture Peak Trail near Wickenburg.
Carlos Chavez/Republic
Maricopa County is working with the Bureau of Land Management to plan a new regional park in the northwestern valley that would include Vulture Peak.
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Director RJ Cardin checks out the landscape of the proposed Vulture Mountain Park.
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department
A young doe in the early morning at White Tanks Regional Park.
Douglas Coxon
Maricopa Trail at White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic
The Maricopa Trail runs through White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic
