ADVENTURE AWAITS IN MESA THIS WINTER

New digital passport invites visitors to go outside and get rewarded

By Kate Wallace

Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, Mesa serves up a vast outdoor playground for adventure. From hiking and biking to cruising calm waters and scaling majestic mountains, nearly every recreational pursuit can be enjoyed here. Two regions make up the bulk of the adventurous terrain for visitors: the Tonto National Forest, just north and east of the city, and the Superstition Wilderness, a region full of wild west history and a rich cultural heritage that is still celebrated today.

One of the best ways to learn about the world’s most complex desert ecosystem is at the Nature Center in Usery Mountain Regional Park. Themed hikes, lunch and learn lectures and ranger-guided nature strolls are hosted all season long inside the park’s trail system. Most guests head straight for the park’s most popular peak at the top of the Wind Cave Trail where stunning views of Greater Phoenix can be enjoyed at 2,840foot elevation.

At Lost Dutchman State Park, visitors are also treated to a lengthy calendar of events each winter with daily programs centered on desert education and entertainment.

Sonoran Desert trails wind visitors through lush landscapes unique to the region

Usery Mountain Regional Park offers miles of hiking trails for all activity levels

Lacy Cain, founder of Wildjoy, invites visitors to opt outside this winter Moonlight hikes, scorpion hunts, stargazing sessions, gardening lessons and even concerts at the base of the Superstition Mountains are some of the enjoyments that can be had in the park. Lost Dutchman State Park now offers fully furnished cabins ideal for weekend getaways and extended stays, with heating and air-conditioning, picnic tables and fire ring grills. Mesa’s lakes and rivers are also great locations to experience Arizona’s desert flora and fauna up close. Birders love the tranquil riverbanks at both Granite Reef and Phon D Sutton recreation areas, located on the Lower Salt River. Visitors often report seeing the herd of wild horses that reside here, spotting them just before dawn and at sunset as they graze on river grass and cool off in the water. Lake cruises and water sports are plentiful at both Saguaro and Canyon lakes, with each one offering unique canyon-carved shorelines for exploration.

Now, visitors can log their journey on the all-new Adventure Explorer Passport, a collaboration with leading adventure enthusiasts at Wildjoy and Visit Mesa, the area’s destination marketing team. The mobile-friendly platform invites visitors to get outside and check off their adventures by checking in on the passport, all while earning points that can be turned in for prizes. The digital passport features a list of curated adventures, selected by Wildjoy founder and fun seeker Lacy Cain. The list ranges from easy to moderate experiences, and each one is marked by geo-coordinates making the check-in experience seamless on the passport. Guests can also download the accompanying Adventure Explorer Guide that features a detailed listing of Arizona birds, wildlife, flora, outfitter listings and helpful tips on how to prepare for your visit to the Sonoran Desert.

Focused on sharing the pursuit of genuine wild joy, Cain founded her company to push people to get out into nature and experience the power of simply being outside. Wildjoy’s online reviews and endorsements of Arizona adventures can be found throughout the Wildjoy website and across their social media channels. VisitMesa.com/Passes.