Biking & Cycling in Mesa

If you prefer to hit the trails...

Mesa delivers a rare combination mountain bikers travel for: desert tracks close to town, with enough variety for a long weekend. Most of the time you’re riding on firm, sun-baked dirt and rock, which keeps things fast when other regions are dealing with mud or snow. The only trick is traction: gravelly corners and sandy patches can sneak up on you, so staying smooth beats grabbing brakes. Expect rock ledges, desert washes and tight lines around saguaros. Start early, carry extra water and ride whatever sounds fun that day.

Hawes Trail System (Hawes Loop)

The Hawes Trail System is one of the most popular mountain biking areas in Mesa and continues to gain national recognition. The Hawes Loop is a 7.3-mile ride that balances technical terrain with fast, flowing descents.

The trail climbs along narrow singletrack that zigzags through gravelly desert terrain. Riders navigate cactus-lined paths, desert brush, and unexpected rock features around tight turns. Climbs are challenging, but the downhill sections offer smooth, high-speed flow. Expect frequent gear changes throughout the ride.

This is a shared-use trail system. Cyclists must yield to hikers.

Key Details:
Location: Bush Highway and Power Road (just past the canal)
Length: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,013 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Average Time: 3 hours
Parking:
Behind Walgreens at Power Road and Thomas Road, then ride across Power Road
Bush Highway access point just past the canal for direct trail access
No parking permit required

Desert Trails Park (Mesa Bike Park)

Desert Trails Park is Mesa’s dedicated bike park and a must-visit for riders looking to build skills or ride in a controlled environment. It features professionally designed dirt tracks, jump lines, and pump tracks.

The park is ideal for beginners, families, and advanced riders working on technical skills and jumps. It also includes walking paths, making it a versatile outdoor space.

Key Details:
Location: 1045 N. Ellsworth Road, Mesa, AZ
Features: Pump tracks, jump lines, skills areas
Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Cost: Free
Parking: On-site parking available - No permit required

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park features more than 29 miles of multi-use trails, making it one of the most diverse mountain biking areas near Mesa. Trails range from short beginner loops to longer, more technical routes with elevation gain.

Riders can expect sweeping views of the Valley and classic Sonoran Desert scenery.

Key Details:
Location: Usery Mountain Regional Park
Trail Lengths: 0.2 to 7+ miles
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
Parking and Fees: $7 daily vehicle entry fee
Multiple parking areas throughout the park

Trail maps available at the Nature Center

San Tan Mountain Regional Park

San Tan Mountain Regional Park offers a quieter riding experience with more than 8 miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Trails range from easy to strenuous and provide views of the lower Sonoran Desert, including native plants, wildlife, and mountain scenery.

Key Details:
Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park
Trail Lengths: 1.1 to 5+ miles
Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous
Parking and Fees:
Main entrance off Phillips Road and Thompson Road
$7 per vehicle, $2 for walk-ins
Paved roads and ample parking available

If you prefer the pavement...

Mesa is the kind of place road cyclists remember. The riding is steady and expansive. Long stretches let you lock into a rhythm, with gentle climbs and rolling terrain to keep things interesting. Saguaros and distant mountains line the way, but nothing gets in the way of the ride.

Mesa has even ranked by Forbes among the top 10 road biking destinations in the U.S., and it shows. The roads are reliable, the access is easy and you can ride here year-round.

Bush Highway

Bush Highway is one of the most popular road cycling routes in Mesa, Arizona. Running alongside the Salt River, this route offers long, uninterrupted stretches of pavement with minimal traffic and strong scenic value.

Riders can expect rolling terrain, wide shoulders, and views of the Salt River, desert cliffs, and surrounding mountains. It is commonly used for endurance rides and training loops.

Key Details:
Location: Bush Highway, Mesa, AZ (near Power Road)
Distance: 15 to 30+ miles (out and back options)
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Paved road
Parking: Access points near Bush Highway and Power Road
Multiple pull-offs along the Salt River

Usery Pass Road

Usery Pass Road is one of the best climbing routes for road cyclists in Mesa. Located near Usery Mountain Regional Park, this route features a steady, sustained climb with wide shoulders and relatively low traffic. It is ideal for cyclists seeking elevation gain, training climbs, and panoramic desert views.

Key Details:
Location: Usery Pass Road, Mesa, AZ
Distance: 10 to 25+ miles depending on route
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Terrain: Paved road with gradual climb

Parking:
Usery Mountain Regional Park (entry fee required)
Nearby roadside access points

Mesa Canal Paths

Mesa’s canal path system provides long, uninterrupted cycling routes that run alongside irrigation canals throughout the city. These multi-use paths are ideal for cyclists looking to avoid traffic while maintaining consistent mileage.
Surfaces vary between paved and compact dirt, making them suitable for road bikes, gravel bikes, and hybrid bikes.

Key Details:
Location: Canal network throughout Mesa, Arizona
Distance: Varies with extended continuous segments
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Paved and hard-packed dirt

Parking:
Numerous access points across Mesa
Entry near parks, neighborhoods, and road crossings

Rio Salado Parkway (Stadium Connector)

The Rio Salado Pathway is a scenic, mostly flat cycling route along the Salt River in Mesa, Arizona. This paved pathway is ideal for casual cyclists, families, and beginner riders. The route includes tunnels, public art installations, and wide riverbank views, offering a relaxed riding experience. Guided rides may be available through Mesa’s Bike and Pedestrian Program.

Key Details:
Length: 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Paved pathway

Trail Access:
North side: N. Priest Drive to Indian Bend Wash Trail (Tempe, AZ)
South side: SR 143 to Dobson Road near Riverview Park (Mesa, AZ)