Mining and mining communities shape the eastern part of Pinal County, while the west is home to agricultural settlements in the lowland desert. The discoveries here are just as varied, ranging from trails through desert and agricultural landscapes to birdwatching spots and an extraordinary structure from the Hohokam culture. When choosing accommodation, you can focus on the places and landscapes that interest you most.
Landscapes and Trails in the County
Pinal County is home to five state parks, four wilderness areas, three national monuments, two national forests and one national scenic trail. The Arizona National Scenic Trail runs for about 100 miles through the county, of which Pinal County manages about 50 miles. There are three facilities at trailheads along the route. Overnight tent camping is permitted at these three trailheads. Before setting out, check the notices at the trailheads, especially if you plan to camp there.
The CAP National Recreation Trail offers another way to experience the landscape. It follows a canal through the desert and agricultural landscape of south-central Arizona. Once complete, it is expected to connect the communities of Red Rock, Eloy, Coolidge, Florence and Apache Junction. The trail is mostly unpaved and relatively flat; listed activities include gravel biking, walking, running and horseback riding. One section in Pinal County offers about 10 miles of flat, technically easy riding on the elevated maintenance road alongside the canal. Check current access notices when planning this section.
Desert Trails, Mountains and Birdwatching
The Lost Goldmine Trail runs for about 9 miles through the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, right alongside the Superstition Wilderness area. Desert bighorn sheep are often spotted along the way. The trail and all associated trailheads are open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; check the opening-hours notices before your visit. This trail can be appreciated not only for its landscape but also in light of the applicable visiting hours.
Peralta Regional Park in the Superstition Mountains has more than 9 miles of varied, non-motorized trails. Those looking to explore a larger trail network rather than a single trail will find a different scale here than on the approximately 9-mile Lost Goldmine Trail. The two trails pass through different landscapes described here, offering distinct perspectives on the county’s natural environment.
The Pinal County Birding Trail includes viewing sites for 422 bird species found in the county year-round. The riparian habitats around these sites are considered some of the most species-rich areas in the American Southwest. The sites along the Birding Trail are open to the public and offer easy access and parking. The year-round presence of these species does not mean that sightings are the same in every season: which birds you see varies seasonally.
Picacho Peak State Park also provides access to Sonoran Desert habitats: its hiking trails pass through areas with plants, birds and animals adapted to desert life. The park campground has a total of 78 electrical hookups for tents and RVs. If you plan to stay there, check the current information on reservations and site conditions.
A Hohokam Cultural Structure
Casa Grande adds an important cultural discovery to the landscape experiences. The four-story adobe structure is 18 meters (60 feet) long and was built by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People of the Hohokam culture. It is the only surviving example from this culture of a freestanding, multi-story adobe building of the Great House type. Its construction, size and status as a unique surviving example make it a fascinating visit for anyone who wants to learn about the region’s history as well as its desert landscapes.
The options range from long-distance trails and canal-side routes to birdwatching sites, park trails and a remarkable cultural structure. You can plan your trip around what interests you most and experience Pinal County not as a single landscape, but as a changing mix of mining communities, lowland desert, riparian habitats and agricultural settlements.
Explore more destinations: Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Florence, Eloy, Coolidge, Gold Canyon, Arizona City, Gila County.
Return to the main travel overview: Arizona.
