# Usery Mountain Regional Park: Merkle Barrier-Free Nature Loop & Desert Center > Place to go for families in the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler area (AZ). Times are Arizona Time. - When: Open daily 6:00 AM–8:00 PM (Nov 1 – Apr 30); Nature Center open daily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM - Where: Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207 - Ages: All ages; Merkle Trail is a dedicated 0.9-mile barrier-free packed trail perfect for strollers and toddlers; Nature Center features live desert reptiles and children's discovery programs - Price: $7 per vehicle day-use entrance fee; Maricopa County Parks annual pass accepted; Nature Center exhibits included - Schedule: Open daily 6:00 AM–8:00 PM (Nov 1 – Apr 30); Nature Center open daily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM - Organizer: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation - Official page: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/usery-mountain-regional-park/ - Last checked: Wed, Nov 4 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/usery-mountain-regional-park-merkle-barrier-free-nature-loop-and-deser--listing-18a281b0fa3c688addb3dbef ## About Usery Mountain Regional Park encompasses more than 3,600 acres in the northeast Valley at the foot of the Goldfield Mountains. The park is celebrated among local families for the Merkle Trail, an easy 0.9-mile barrier-free hard-packed desert loop trail that is completely flat and navigates smoothly with all varieties of strollers and wagons. Along the trail, children can spot teddy-bear cholla forests, desert quail coveys, and towering saguaro cacti. Families with older children can hike the scenic Wind Cave Trail up Pass Mountain to a natural rock alcove overlooking the valley. Stop by the Usery Nature Center to meet live resident desert reptiles, tortoises, and raptors in interactive ranger presentations. ## Similar picks in Phoenix - [Discovery Station: Animal Ambassadors — San Tan Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/discovery-station-animal-ambassadors-san-tan-nature-center--listing-c58f3039aa75564cdcce30d2) — Wed, Nov 18 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Queen Creek · checked Oct 16. 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