Maricopa County waiving entrance fees for hiking trails on Tuesday

PHOENIX — Fans of the great outdoors can hit any of Maricopa County’s regional parks for free on Tuesday.

The deal stems from the county’s Take a Hike Day, which covers the more than 120,000 acres of parkland and 600 miles of trails at county-run regional parks, like Lake Pleasant and White Tank Mountain regional parks.

Maricopa County Parks and Recreations Director R.J. Cardin said in a press release that the promotion, which is in its seventh year, is timed so locals can take advantage of the cooler temperatures of autumn.

“We understand that National Take a Hike Day isn’t an official holiday,” Cardin said. “However, National Trails Day is in June and National Parks and Recreation Month is in July, and that’s when our industry typically promotes outdoor activities.

“During the summer months here, the department tries to limit park visitor exposure to the heat by shifting program offerings to earlier in the morning and later in the evening when temperatures are slightly cooler.”

The unofficial holiday allows visitors to avoid paying the $7 per vehicle entrance fee.

Visitors are advised to continue to wear appropriate hiking attire and to bring sunscreen and water for hiking activities, even as the temperatures cool down.

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