Today I wanted to post a blog about my experience in the White Tank Regional Park that I took last Wednesday. I have to say that it was an absolutely beautiful drive and I loved every minute of it! Unfortunately my camera died at the beginning of my trip though so I wasn't able to get very many photos. However, if you truly want to feel as though you are transformed from city life to rural life in the mountains within moments then you will want to visit this park!

It wasn't the first time that I had drove to the White Tank mountains as I had driven up here a couple of times before to visit the White Tank Mountain Regional Library. I absolutely love the setting of the library and love how it truly captures the lifestyle of the Sonoran Desert. When you first enter the park you will need to stop at the Visitor Center and Library where you will learn more about creatures that inhabit the area, pay for admission to the park, and read famous historical stories about the area. My favorite part of the Visitor Center is the part where you get to look at the animals that live in the area. It really helps to open your eyes as to how dangerous animals can be and what you need to keep an eye out for while hiking the area.

After paying for admission you are free to go explore the park and trust me, you will want to do just that! The entire mountain range itself is about 30,000 acres and reaches an overall elevation of about 4,000 feet at the highest peak. As you drive throughout the park there are many areas for you to pull off to take a hike, eat lunch at one of the many picnic facilities, or let the kids play on one of the playgrounds tucked away in the park under a sun shade. The White Tank mountains is definitely a hikers paradise as it features over 26 miles of trail! Unfortunately I didn't go hiking on any of the trails because I wasn't prepared, but I did enjoy taking in the beauty, the sights, and the sounds of the area. My favorite moment was when I got out of my car at one of the pull off areas and saw two hawks flying amongst the beautiful mountains. There was absolutely no noise around me so I was able to fully immerse myself in the experience and truly imagine what else lives in this area.

If you are not into hiking, there is plenty of other things to do throughout the park as well. You might consider taking a guided horseback riding tour through the White Tank Riding Stables. You can learn more about that by visiting their website at: www.whitetanksriding.com. Another awesome attraction in the park is the night hikes that are guided tours done by the Parks and Recreation staff through Maricopa County. You will learn more about the night sky if you attend one of these events and can view a complete event calender on the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation website. If racing is more of your thing, then you will enjoy the competitive racing track that the park offers on the northern edge of the park. The racing track is approximately 10 miles long and offers plenty of hills and obstacles for those that enjoy racing. Finally, if bicycling is more of your forte, then there are also plenty of trails for you to partake in that activity as well.

Before you leave make sure that you stop at the point where you begin to increase in elevation and take in the views of the valley below. You will be able to see the entire Phoenix Metropolitan Area from high atop and you will not regret one moment of it!

If you are interested in visiting the White Tank Mountains the cost for admission is $6.00 per vehicle and the park is open from 6AM until 8 PM Sunday through Thursday and from 6AM until 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays. If you plan on just bicycling through the park, then the cost of admission is $2.00 per bicycle.

Have fun exploring and learning more about the Sonoran Desert!