Usery Pass Mountain- The Wind Caves
If your looking for an easy 3 mile hike that the kids and the elderly (somewhat in shape) can do, but won’t take all day, than you will love this one! This quick hike checks a lot of the boxes to get everyone out of the house, with the success of a short, sweet and fruitful view from the top! You won’t exhaust too many hours of the day with this scenic Sonoran Desert hike, but still get a nice exercise burn with this one! Watch out for the bee’s though….
Usery Mountain Park has over 3,648 acres to explore and over 32 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. There is also an archery range and a 75 site campground!
Sandstone Erosion and Desert Beauty!
Located in the Usery Mountain Regional Park near Mesa, AZ, the Usery Pass Mountains Wind Caves are a very popular hiking destination for anyone who loves the outdoors! The caves were formed over millions of years by wind erosion on on the sandstone cliffs of the Usery Mountains. I don’t want to elude you into thinking the caves are anything more than small openings, NOT the kind of cave you are thinking of!:-) This stunning mountain range DOES offer a breathtaking views, with opportunities to hiking further that the typical 3 mile up and back trail. I highly recommend you take advantage of the trails surrounding the mountain! They link to trails all throughout the region!
Sonoran Desert Beauty
Here in the Sonoran Desert, visitors to the wind caves can enjoy a variety of activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, and birdwatching. If your lucky enough to make it in the spring time, you can catch spectacular wildflowers and fluorescent greenery that we Arizonans don’t take for granted! We have advanced rock scaling to meandering walking paths and everything in between. There won’t be too many places to be short of breath due to our elevation either- which means you get to hike farther and for longer:-). Natives and visitors will love to see the prickly pear, Agave, Saguaro cactus, “Jumping” cactus, waterfalls and if your lucky, you might run into a Diamondback Rattlesnake or a Gila Monster??….Lucky?? Haha…no thanks!
How to get there?
To get to the Usery Mountain Wind Caves in Arizona, you will need to follow these directions:
- Take the Loop 202 East freeway and exit at Power Road.
- Head north on Power Road for approximately 7 miles.
- Turn right onto Usery Pass Road and continue for about 3 miles.
- Turn left onto N Usery Park Road and follow the signs to the Usery Mountain Regional Park.
- Once inside the park, follow the signs for the Wind Cave Trailhead, which is located near the restroom facilities.
- From the trailhead, it’s a 1.2-mile hike to the wind caves, with an elevation gain of about 500 feet.
It’s important to note that the Wind Cave Trail is rated as moderate to difficult, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Also, check the park’s website for any closures or restrictions before heading out.
How Much??? Usery Mountain Park Fees- Hiking and Camping
There is a daily fee of $7 for all vehicles entering the park. If you arrive on a bike, on foot or horseback, the fee is only $2. If you are like me, you will want the yearly $85 park pass that allows you to visit all Maricopa County Parks for 1 year.
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My name is Maree Seiter, a mom, Realtor, and community expert and native AZ girl! I love all things AZ and want to bring you community events, restaurants, things to do and the best Real Estate around! Give me a call if you are in the market to buy or sell a home! I love people, but I especially love helping people!
