Maricopa Trail History
The Maricopa Trail was envisioned in the early 2000s as a way to connect Maricopa County’s regional parks, open spaces, and surrounding communities through a continuous, multi-use trail system.
Developed through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies—as well as nonprofit organizations and volunteers—the project utilized existing trails, canal corridors, utility easements, and public lands to create a cohesive network across the Valley.
After more than a decade of planning and construction, the Maricopa Trail was largely completed in 2018, forming a more than 350-mile loop around the Phoenix metropolitan area. The trail supports a variety of uses, including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Today, the Maricopa Trail continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts to improve connectivity, enhance access points, and expand links to additional parks and communities.