White Tank Mountain Regional Park
White Tank Mountain Regional Park is in the Maricopa County Regional Parks system and one of the County’s top locations for viewing desert birds. Over 30 miles of trails from easy to hazardous make this park a hiker’s paradise. Common desert birds seen here include Costa’s Hummingbird, White-throated Swift, Greater Roadrunner, Gilded Flicker, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee, and Black-throated Sparrow. In winter, Gray Vireo has been found at elephant trees on the slope across from Goat Camp Trail, about 0.5 miles from the trailhead. An artificial wildlife pond and ephemeral water in desert washes after rain events draw in birds, as do fruiting desert mistletoe and wolfberries during winter and spring. A wide variety of migrant songbirds can be found along the more vegetated washes during migration, especially in spring when plants are blooming and attracting insects. The Waterfall Trail is an easy, scenic 2 mile round-trip trail to a seasonal waterfall. The first 0.5 miles is barrier-free and includes interpretive signs. Another easy trail is the 1.3 mile Black Rock Loop, with the 0.5-mile Short Loop being barrier-free. There is a county library, nature center, campgrounds, and picnic ramadas in the park. A native plants garden by the Nature Center attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Site Information
Region: Phoenix and Central
County: Maricopa
Directions: From Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) in the West Valley, take Olive Avenue (exit 9) west for 14 miles to the park entrance. From the Loop 303 northbound, take Northern Avenue (exit 110A) west to Cotton Lane, then north to Olive Avenue and west to the park's entrance. From 303 southbound, take Peoria Avenue (exit 112) west to Cotton Lane, then south to Olive Avenue and west to the park's entrance.
Latitude: 33.566587
Longitude: -112.499772
Operational Hours: Other
Other Operational Hours: May 1 to October 31: 5 am-9 pm daily. November 1 to April 30: 6 am-8 pm daily.
Admission or Fees: $7 per vehicle. Maricopa County Parks annual passes also accepted.
Best time to visit: October-April, or early mornings from May-September.
Habitats: Desert
Know Before You Go
Be sure to get a copy of the trail map at the entry station or Nature Center. Always bring ample water and snacks, and tell someone where you are going. Avoid doing long hikes and going out past mid-morning in the hot summer months. Know your physical limits and remember that you will need to hike out either the same way going back or completing a loop you are on. Sturdy footwear is recommended for the steeper, rockier trails. Light-colored protective clothing and a hat are advised. Rattlesnakes are common in the warmer months, so watch your step and give them a respectful distance. Watch out for lightning and flash floods during the late summer monsoon season.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Costa’s Hummingbird, Gilded Flicker
Charismatic: Black-throated Sparrow, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel’s Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Phainopepla, White-winged Dove
Contact Information
Parks and Recreation Department
Maricopa County
20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road
Waddell, AZ 85355
Phone: 602-506-2930 ext. 5
Website: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/white-tank-mountain-regional-park/
Email: maricopacountyparks@maricopa.gov
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L819351
