Phoenix Parks Department To Restrict Preserve Access July 4

Park rangers with the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will restrict vehicle access beginning at 3 p.m. on July 4 to developed trailhead parking lots and mountaintop lookouts in the city’s Preserves. The holiday restrictions supplement the smoking and fire bans already in place.

Rangers will close all mountaintop lookouts to vehicles at South Mountain Park and will close trailhead parking areas at the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park and Papago Park west of Galvin Parkway.

Rangers also will monitor the picnic facilities at North Mountain, Papago Park and South Mountain Park and close the parking areas when they reach capacity. Visitors arriving at Papago Park after 3 p.m. will have to park in the lot adjacent to the Phoenix Zoo.

Following is a list of regulations that will apply on July 4 at the preserves and desert parks:

No fireworks
No open fires
No charcoal fires, even in established picnic areas (gas grills are permitted)
No alcoholic beverages
No glass beverage containers
No smoking outside an enclosed vehicle

The Parks and Recreation Department also wants to remind residents that the desert parks and preserves do not provide good visibility for fireworks displays and encourages residents to attend one of the city’s official Independence Day fireworks displays.

For more information on the July 4 restrictions, please call 602-495-5458. For information on official Independence Day celebrations, visit phoenix.gov/parks.