Hike the Levee Trail

The Best Wheelchair-Accessible Desert Hike Near Mesa Big Sonoran Desert scenery, saguaro-lined views, and a barrier-free path that welcomes hikers of every ability. This easy 1-mile loop is one of the most inclusive outdoor experiences in City Limitless®.

Distance: 2.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 36 feet
Location: Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Walks, trail runs, bikes and horses

Trail Overview

When I want desert views without a big climb, I head to the Levee Trail.

It starts on a wide gravel road that runs along the southern edge of Usery Mountain Regional Park. It’s flat and open, so you can keep an easy pace. This is one of those trails where you don’t need to “get through” the first mile before it gets good. The views show up almost immediately.

Because the trail sits slightly above the surrounding desert, everything feels a little more spacious. On a clear day, I can pick out the Goldfield Mountains, Pass Mountain and the cuts of Usery Pass. The Superstitions usually steal the show in the distance, and when the air is crisp, the San Tans pop up farther south with a blue silhouette.

What I like most is how flexible it is. I’ve done this as a quick out-and-back when I only have an hour. I’ve also used it as a mellow reset walk after a tougher hike earlier in the week. Families push strollers out here. Runners and bikers love it, and you’ll often see people riding horses too.

Even though it’s easy, it never feels boring. I’ll usually spot lizards along the edges once the sun is up. Some mornings I catch hawks circling overhead, and I love to listen to the desert birds hiding in the palo verde and creosote.

Insider Tips

Go early for quiet time.
The Levee Trail is popular, and it can feel busy once the park fills in.

This is a shared-use trail.
I always keep an ear out for bikes and give horses extra space when they pass.

Build a simple add-on.
The Levee connects into other trails and corridors, including routes that lead toward Spillway Trail.

Best Photo Spots

Any west-facing stretch in late day: Soft light over the open desert flats and long sightlines back toward the Valley.

Mid-trail pause for mountain layers: Goldfields and Superstitions show up best when the air is crisp.

Wash crossings: Great spots for saguaros, cholla clusters, and desert texture in the foreground.

When to Go

Late fall through spring is when this trail feels best. In warmer months, I treat it like a sunrise walk and keep it short. There’s not much shade out here, and the sun catches up quickly once it’s fully up.

What to Bring

Water: Even for an easy trail, the desert dehydrates you fast.
Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Leash and waste bags if you bring a dog: Pets are allowed on-leash (six feet or shorter) on Maricopa County park trails.

Getting There

Usery Mountain Regional Park is located at 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa, AZ 85207 - approximately 14 miles northeast of Downtown Mesa.

Multiple parking lots are available throughout the park past the Ranger Station at the entrance. A day-use vehicle entry fee is required. Once you’re inside the park, follow posted signs to the appropriate trailhead parking for the Levee Trail network. Arriving earlier helps on weekends.

Nearby Things to Do

If you want to turn an easy walk into a fuller morning, Usery makes it simple. Pair the Levee Trail with Moon Rock for a little more variety, or step up to Wind Cave when you want elevation and a bigger payoff.

For a longer signature loop day, Pass Mountain is the park’s big-name route.

And if you’re building a weekend of trails, Mesa’s hiking picks and itineraries help you stack the right mix of easy walks and viewpoint climbs without bouncing all over the Valley.