Your Guide to Queen Creek's Trail System

Queen Creek offers multi-use trails along the Queen Creek and Sonoqui washes. The trail system provides connectivity throughout Town and with our neighboring communities, including the San Tan Mountain Regional Park. The trails highlight the natural beauty of Queen Creek and honors our equestrian and agricultural heritage! 

Motorized Devices 

Effective May 21, 2026, Town Code, that was adopted through Ordinance 890-26, outlines new updates related to the use of motorized devices, including prohibited use in parks, hands-free device use, speed limits, and impound guidelines. These changes are intended to reduce dangerous situations and enhance the safety of riders and the community in parks, trails and other public spaces. 

Motorized devices include electric bicycles, electric miniature scooters, motorized gas-powered bicycles, motorized play vehicles, motorized skateboards, and micromobility devices. It does not include devices used for accessibility, including but not limited to a motorized wheelchair. For a comprehensive definition, visit 11-1-1 of the Town code.

Devices must continue to be operated in a reasonable and safe manner, obey all traffic laws, and yield to pedestrians and equestrians. The approved ordinance establishes new operational restrictions for the use of these devices throughout Town owned property and public spaces. 

For more information, visit the Motorized Devices webpage. 

Queen Creek Wash Trail

Hours of Operation

The Queen Creek Wash Trail is approximately six miles. Public parking is available at Mansel Carter Oasis Park and Desert Mountain Park along with restrooms, playgrounds, ramadas, athletic fields and more! The Queen Creek Wash Trail weaves throughout Town following the banks of the Queen Creek Wash. The trail passes open space, farmland and a variety of residential communities. 

The Queen Creek Wash originates near the Town of Superior. Whitlow Dam was constructed east of Queen Valley in the late 1950s as a flood control measure to slow the water that flowed from the mountain range east of Superior. 

The Queen Creek Wash continues west from the Whitlow Dam where it intersects with the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Canal. A flood control structure at the CAP Canals restricts the flow into the wash.

During heavy rain events or when snow begins to melt to the east, the Queen Creek Wash can flow for several hours to several days through the Town. 

Both the Queen Creek and Sonoqui washes help prevent localized flooding during large storms and both flow into the East Maricopa Flood Control Channel, which ultimately flows into the Gila River.

Other certain authorized types of non-stormwater discharges into the washes can include well-site testing and agricultural irrigation, etc.

Sonoqui Wash Trail

Hours of Operation

The Sonoqui Wash Trail is currently 3.8 miles and weaves in and out of the rural desert landscape. Public parking is available at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre. Through a partnership with Maricopa County, the Town of Queen Creek opened 1.3 miles of new trails at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20646 E. Riggs Road. The Sonoqui Wash Trail connects from Gilbert and is part of the Maricopa Trail, developed by Maricopa County. This regional trail system is  being developed in three phases. When completed, the entire trail system will cover an estimated 750 miles. Phase II of the Maricopa Trail plan, adopted in October 2003, encompasses the southeast valley and the connection to the San Tan Mountain Regional Park through the Sonoqui Wash. 

Birding was done on the Sonoqui Wash Trail and at Desert Mountain Park by the Arizona Field Ornithologists from December 2019 through December 2020. Every month had at least 20 species documented at eBird.org, the global bird database administered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The cumulative species total for Sonoqui Wash is 70, and for Queen Creek Wash is 65.

Ovation Trailhead

Hours of Operation

• Sunrise to Sunset

Located on Meridian Road just north of the Queen Creek Wash, Ovation Trailhead offers convenient access for trail users and equestrians alike. Amenities include a round pen, restroom facility, and both paved and equestrian parking spaces, making it a comfortable and accessible starting point for your visit.

Trails at Horseshoe Park

Hours of Operation

1.3 miles of trail cover nearly 80 acres of the former landfill site. The trails are 10-foot-wide multi-use paths that connect to the Town's wash trail system, providing a productive use of the space that benefits the community.

Trail Rules and Etiquette

During your travels on the wash trails, be sure and take in the beauty of the wildflowers and wildlife growing in our desert wash ecosystem. Look for mesquite trees, sage, cottontail rabbits, quail and more!