There are a variety of day trips near the city of Gilbert, Arizona that will allow you to enjoy the great Arizona outdoors. Hikers, campers and fishermen will find plenty to do within an hour’s drive from their home.
South Mountain Park An enormous desert mountain preserve in Phoenix, this park is the largest city park in the U.S. and offers 51 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Purchased in 1924, many of the trails and buildings were first built by the Civilian Conservation Core in the mid-1930s. You can pack a lunch for a full of fun, or even reserve a ramada for larger gatherings of family and friends. The park even has the Activity Complex, which can hold up to 5,000 people.
Canyon Lake To the east of Apache Junction, Gilbert home owners can drive out on Highway 88 to Canyon Lake. The lake offers 950 surface acres of water for swimming, fishing and water recreation. Visitors enjoy spectacular sunsets reflected on canyon walls and a full-service restaurant on the marina. You can also camp in several campgrounds which are open year-round. These sites include 22 RV spaces and 19 dirt tent sites.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Declared a national monument in 1918, this area was first officially recognized as an important archeological site in 1892. Since then, conservation efforts have preserved important historical knowledge.
Gilbert property owners can enjoy numerous trails and walking tours, as well as a bookstore and museum on site. All areas of interest can be accessed by paved or hard-packed paths, and you can tag along on a guided tour any time December through April.
Montezuma Castle Gilbert citizens can take the Interstate 17 north just past the town Camp Verde. This popular national monument is considered very well preserved and has been closed off to the public since 1951 to keep it that way.
However, you can walk beautiful trails through sycamore groves at the base of the cliff, and still see lots. Also, the museum tries to help you see what the rooms inside look like. Or, take a trip to the Montezuma Well, which is located 11 miles away. This enormous natural well offers naturalists great chances to see unique wildlife and species.