Trails

The Trails Division headquarters is located at the Lake Pleasant Operations Center at the Lake Pleasant Regional Park. The Trails Division shares this location with the Sheriff’s Office Lake Patrol Division and the Maricopa County Parks Department.

The Trails Division has the responsibility for law enforcement services in the recreational and wilderness areas of the Maricopa County Parks. These areas include, but are not limited to:

a) Buckeye Hills Recreation area
(b) Cave Creek Regional Park
(c) Estrella Mountain Regional Park
(d) Lake Pleasant Regional Park
(e) McDowell Mountain Regional Park
(f) San Tan Mountain Regional Park
(g) Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
(h) The Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant
(i) Usery Mountain Regional Park
(j) White Tank Mountain Regional Park
The total areas of responsibility are over 120,000 acres and are visited by over 1.8 million persons annually. The Maricopa County parks system is the largest regional parks system in the nation.

The Trails Division is composed of highly-trained Deputy Sheriffs who possess a large variety of skills and abilities such as the operation of four-wheel drive vehicles and all-terrain vehicles. This division also uses bicycle, mounted, and foot patrol which increases cooperation and communication with the county park visitors and guests. Utilizing emergency medical technicians and first aid first responders, the division is always ready to respond to park visitors in distress. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year this division takes pride in being there when the public needs us.

The Division staff is comprised of a Division Commander; one Lieutenant; three Sergeants; ten Deputy Sheriff’s and one Civilian Administrative staff.

If you visit the County Parks, the Sheriff's Office hopes you have a great time, but also strongly encourages you to obey the laws and to use common sense. There are specific park rules and regulations along with State law that must be adhered to when visiting the parks. Every year the Trails Division handles a variety of calls for service including lost and injured hikers; injured persons; and a variety of alcohol and drug violations. It is the Sheriff's Office goal to make the County parks a safe and enjoyable place to visit and recreate in, and its greatest tool in this effort is education. With this goal in mind, the following links have been provided to assist you in having a safe and enjoyable visit: