Project Phases:

Development of Vulture Mountains Recreation Area is occurring in multiple phases:

Phase I: Roadways, Utilities & Infrastructure — Completed

• This phase included the realignment of Vulture Mine Road, construction of two bridges, new park entry stations, roadways, and utility installation. Work was completed by the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT).

Phase II: Day-Use Facilities — Under Construction

• Includes the Nature Center, picnic areas, trailheads, and parking.

Phase III: Campground — Under Construction

• Phase IV: Off-Highway Vehicle Staging Area — Planned

Note: Project timelines may change due to contractor availability, equipment, or supply conditions. Updates will be shared as they become available.

PRESS RELEASES:

• Maricopa County Parks Break Ground On Phases II & III Of The Vulture Mountains Recreation Area

PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT (POD)

• Updated Plan of Development
• Final Environmental Assessment
• FONSI (Approved)

MAPS

• Map 1-1 VM R&PP Lease Areas-508
• Map 2-1 VM R&PP NLA-508
• Map 2-2 VM R&PP NLA Campground Area-508
• Map 2-3 VM R&PP NLA Day Use Area-508
• Map 2-4 VM R&PP SLA OHV Use Area-508
• Map 2-5 North Lease Area Road Realignment-508
• Map 2-6 South Lease Area Road Widening-508
• Map 3-1 VM R&PP NLA Routes-508
• Map 3-2 VM R&PP SLA Routes-508
• Map 3-3 VM R&PP NLA Mining Claims-508
• Map 3-4 VM R&PP SLA Mining Claims-508
• Map 3-5 VRM_Classes-508
• Map 3-6 Visual_Assessment_Units-508
• Map 3-7 KOP_Locations-508
• Map 4-1 Cumulative Effects Study Area-508

Project History:

For nearly two decades, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation has partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Town of Wickenburg to expand recreational opportunities in the Vulture Mountains area.

Key Milestones

• 2006 – Initial discussions between Parks and BLM on cooperative recreation management
• 2009 – Parks awarded BLM grant to develop a Recreation Activity Plan and management agreement
• 2010 – Planning consultant selected to develop the Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP)
• 2012 – Board of Supervisors approves the Vulture Mountains Master Plan
• 2017 – Parks begins managing a 65-acre parcel at the Hassayampa River Preserve; public input gathered on future development
• 2018 – Plan of Development completed; environmental review finalized with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
• 2019 – Lease agreement finalized with BLM to manage 1,046 acres within the recreation area
• 2022–2025 – Phase I construction completed
• 2025–2026 – Phases II and III underway, with anticipated completion in late spring 2026

ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTACTS:

• Maricopa County Department of Transportation 
  • Project Page
• Bureau of Land Management of Arizona

ARCHIVES:

Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon on June 20, 2019:

• Guest speaker R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department presents information on Vulture Mountains Recreation Area. To download a copy of the presentation, click here.