Discover Pinal: Great outdoors across the county

Those who enjoy hiking, but also like stopping along the way to take in the sights, examine different kinds of plants or flowers or even just pause and watch the wildlife all around, shouldn't skip the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Located past the Tonto National Forest, on the outskirts of Superior, the arboretum is the oldest and largest botanical garden in the state. Visitors can see about 19,000 different kinds of plants from around the globe across 135 acres. The arboretum also features 12 different gardens with some featuring their own trails as well. 

Lost Dutchman State Park 

The Superstition Mountains are an awe-inspiring, iconic and formidable part of Pinal County's landscape. They're also accessible to see up close by anyone who visits Lost Dutchman State Park. In addition to the ample hiking opportunities the site provides, the 320-acre park also hosts a number of activities throughout the winter and early spring including full moon hikes, nature walks, music at the state park, birding and more. Experienced hikers can try out difficult trails like Siphon Draw or the Flatiron, but the park has moderate and accessible trails as well. 

Biosphere 2 

Overseen by the University of Arizona, Biosphere 2 is a place where scientists study natural and human-made ecosystems. The research facility features a wide range of biomes such as a desert, rainforest and more. Even better? Visitors can tour this facility and even use a self-paced guided tour app to make the experience as comprehensive and immersive as possible. 

Picacho Peak 

For trailblazers, adventures and advanced hikers, Picacho Peak offers one of the most challenging hikes in the county. The 2-mile hike up to the top of the mountain — approximately 2,000 feet up — features steep and twisting routes and even steel cables anchored to the rock in some places. But the park also offers easy and moderate trails for those interested in a less challenging hike and additionally provides ample opportunities to witness wildlife while visiting.   

Poston Butte

Located on Hunt Highway not far from the Florence Anthem community and just north of downtown Florence, this hikeable mountain is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. It also serves as a monument and a burial ground for a man who had a heavy hand in Arizona being declared its own territory. The monument is named after Charles Debrille Poston, who is often referred to as the Father of Arizona. Poston lived a colorful life and is reported to have enjoyed spending some of his free time on this hill. Hikers who trek up the mountain can visit his monument and enjoy the nature surrounding it.