Paloma Regional Preserve

PALOMA REGIONAL PRESERVE

An ironwood tree frames views on Compass Rose Trail

Bounded by two desert waterways, a CAP canal, freeways, isolated mountains and the geometric grid of cul-de-sac communities, Paloma Regional Preserve is an island of natural outdoor space. 

Mountain vistas on Multi-Use Path A

The ephemeral character of desert rivers creates seasonal shows of monsoon surges that fade into trickling rivulets and residual pools, all along, feeding swaths of lush greenery in otherwise dry, prickly places. A walkable tour of this critical cycle is on display on the trails of the preserve.

Mesquite trees on the New River Trail

The mostly-flat block of open space straddles the floodplain of New River,  in Peoria, east if the Agua Fria River.

New River Dam bolsters the south end of the preserve

The preserve is anchored by Paloma Community Park which opened in 2020. The amenity-rich site has playgrounds, a dog park, restrooms, sports fields and picnic ramadas. Access to the preserve hiking trails begins at a gate near the dog park where Multi-Use Path A heads east away from the barking commotion.

Speckled Rattler trail leads into Westwing preserve

Wide and sunny, the path serves as a gateway to the preserve’s 12+ miles of trails that also link with the Westwing and Eastwing Mountain Preserves as well as Sonoran Mountain Ranch Park. 

Interesting geology on the New River Trail

With a backdrop of mountain vistas and acres of saguaros, the path soon enters the floodplain of New River.  Mudflats, sandy drainages and water-scoured channels fringed with mesquite and palo verde trees clinging to embankments speak to the power of running water. At the 1.1-mile point, Multi-Use Path A encounters its first major junction where it meets the New River Trail-- a multi-use pathway that runs from Bethany Home Road in Glendale to Pinnacle Peak Road in north Phoenix and serves as a main artery running north-south through the preserve.  

Friendly advise at the trailhead gate.

Park maps available online and well-signed junctions with QR codes and emergency help locator decals, make getting around and staying safe a cinch. While each trail offers excellent hiking, the not-to-miss route on the menu is the Compass Rose Trail. 

View from Multi-Use Path A

The 1.42, moderate-rated path ascends a knoll overlooking the New River Dam for sweet views of the river’s course through the landscape. 

View of New River Mesa & Skull Mesa from Compass Rose

The extra height also opens up views of the Cave Creek Mountains to the northeast and the Sierra Estrella Mountains to the south. From the high point, the brilliant connectivity of the preserve trail system is obvious. The grid of trails below hint at the dozens of options for completing short loop hikes or long distance treks in and around this distinctly desert-water-centric environment.

New River floodplain bisects the preserve

LENGTH:  12+ miles of interconnected trails

RATING: easy - difficult

ELEVATION:  1,369 – 1,550 feet

TRAIL HOURS: sunrise to sunset daily

PARK HOURS: 6 a.m. – 10:30 p,m. daily
FEE: none

GETTING THERE:

Paloma Community Park Trailhead
29799 N Lake Pleasant Pkwy, Peoria.

From Interstate 17, take the Loop 303 exit 221 and continue west to Lake Pleasant Pkwy.

Turn left (south) and go 1 mile to the park entrance on the left.

Trailhead is at the gate at the end of the road near the dog park.

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION NOTE:

As of this writing, the Loop 303 exit was closed. Use State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) as an alternative. Take the SR74 exit 223B and head 6 miles west to Lake Pleasant Pkwy. Turn left and go 3.5 miles south to the park entrance on the left.

INFO & MAPS:

City of Peoria

https://www.peoriaaz.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/26718/637774189542300000