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WILD WILD WEST<br />
A DESTINATION<br />
FOR ADVENTURE<br />
North of <strong>Mesa</strong> and set on 25,000 acres of spectacular open<br />
Sonoran Desert, is the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Formerly<br />
the ancestral territory of the Yavapai people, the destination is<br />
home to 3,000 community members and serves up an incredible<br />
landscape for adventure and discovery.<br />
TREASURED TRAILS<br />
Hitting the trail by foot offers one of the best ways to<br />
experience the stunning Sonoran Desert. <strong>Mesa</strong> is surrounded<br />
by hiking trails for all ages with varying levels of difficulty<br />
and distances to choose from. Miles and miles of desert<br />
hiking trails are offered at Usery Mountain Regional Park,<br />
Lost Dutchman Arizona State Park and throughout the<br />
Superstition Wilderness. Snap the QR code for a list of<br />
our best hikes in City Limitless ® .<br />
<strong>Visitors</strong> looking for a taste of the Wild West will find it at Fort<br />
McDowell Adventures. Saddle up on horseback and cross Verde<br />
River or take part in a tour on two wheels with Desert Segway<br />
Tours and learn about the indigenous flora of the land. Become<br />
the ultimate Southwest explorer on a historic wagon ride, joining<br />
in on an actual cattle drive. All the tours share the rich history<br />
of the Yavapai Nation.<br />
Whether you stick to the trail or take your exploration off-road,<br />
watch the desert come to life with sightings of Arizona’s native<br />
wildlife that call this area home. Large groups and special events<br />
will want to consider the entertainment options at Rosa’s Ranch,<br />
Fort McDowell’s signature outdoor venue with amazing views<br />
of the Four Peaks and Superstition Mountain ranges. Sit back<br />
and relax around the numerous fire pits located on the property<br />
and soak up one of Arizona’s striking sunsets. Other amenities<br />
include a wood-burning kiva, a covered reception area and areas<br />
for presentations and live entertainment. Book a wild west<br />
experience at the ranch for your wedding, outing or event and<br />
savor the natural beauty of Fort McDowell.<br />
USDA TONTO NATIONAL<br />
FOREST SERVICE<br />
As the fifth largest forest in the United States, the Tonto<br />
National Forest is one of the most-visited “urban” forests in the<br />
U.S. The Tonto National Forest Service oversees all the <strong>Mesa</strong><br />
area lakes and the lower Salt and Verde rivers as well as many<br />
streams in the area. A Tonto Pass, a daily (24-hour) recreation<br />
pass for visitors, is required for more than 50 recreation sites<br />
within the Tonto National Forest. The Pass must be displayed<br />
on the vehicle rear-view mirror. The passes sell for $8 per<br />
vehicle plus a watercraft use fee of $4 per watercraft. Passes<br />
are available at 200 locations in the <strong>Mesa</strong> area including<br />
nearby convenience stores and also online and by mail, and<br />
can be purchased at kiosks at the recreation sites. Many of<br />
the lakes-area businesses operate under special permit from<br />
the Forest Service.<br />
FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON VISITING<br />
THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST CALL<br />
480-610-3300 OR VISIT FS.USDA.GOV/TONTO<br />
visitmesa.com<br />
<strong>2022</strong> <strong>Visitors</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> | Adventure Explorer | 19
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