Beautiful White Tank
Mountain Park
White Tank Mountain is the larger regional park located on the Valley west side of Maricopa County, Arizona. You will find the White Tank Mountain approximately 12 miles from Sun City; going west on Olive Avenue, it will get you to the entrance of the park; an opportunity to get out and enjoy the pristine Sonoran Desert landscape and mountains. This park offers approximately 25 miles of excellent shared-use trails of varied difficulty. Shared-use trails range in length from 0.9 to 7.6 miles. Day hikes can provide some breathtaking views of the mountains and panoramas of the valley below.
In addition, there are 2.5 miles of pedestrian-only trails. These include two short trails that are hard-surfaced and barrier free. Waterfall Trail is barrier-free to Petroglyph Plaza, about 4/10 of a mile from the parking lot.
Guided Tours. The desert landscape within White Tank Mountain is beautiful and quite fragile. Guided Tours are offered 3 to 4 times per week. Reservations are not required for scheduled hikes; there are several types offered; some emphasize the prehistoric Native American ruins and the petroglyph sites.The Park offers a variety of short guided hikes led by a Park Ranger, the average hike is 1 - 3 hours long with a distance of 1 - 3 miles. Stop at the information center, a mile from the entrance, for maps and brochures.
Favorite trails. Black Rock Short Loop is an easy hike well suited for children, beginner and elderly hikers and those using canes, walkers or wheelchairs. Signs along the way describe the park's plants, wildlife. There are lots of benches providing plenty of good spots to sit and enjoy the surroundings. You will see plenty of saguaro, along with teddy bear cholla, buckhorn cholla, and hedgehog barrel cacti. Look for colorful flowers on the cacti during the spring months. The short loop of Black Rock Trail, begins at Ramada 4.
If you like, you can take a connector trail off the Long Loop about a tenth of a mile to Petroglyph Plaza on the Waterfall Trail, where you'll find a veritable gallery of ancient rock art. Waterfall Canyon Trail is one of nine hiking, biking and equestrian trails in the White Tank Mountain Preserve.
About the Petroglyphs. Rock drawing was serious business to its maker. While no one can say precisely what most of them "mean", we know they had important functions in the lives of their makers. Most of the sites in the area are concentrated around the White Tanks themselves. The Tanks probably held water the year-round and thereby drew people to the region. Petroglyphs on rocks indicate the Indians were more than transients.
History and lifestyles of the early native people of the Valley. Eleven archaeological sites, occupied during the time period A.D. 500-1100, were located within the boundaries of White Tank Mountain Regional Park. All of these sites can be attributed to the Hohokam Indians.
Read more of their history
White Tank Mountain entrance fee is $6.00 per car.
Annual passes are available.
Call 623.935.2505
Click here for additional information
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