While still a young town, Queen Creek prides itself on a long history of farming. Not surprisingly, some of the top places to visit in the town are connected to its agrarian and equestrian roots, as well as its desert beauty.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Location: 25062 S. Meridian Road
Hours of operation: 8 a.m.-5p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Cost: Educational tours are $7 per person
Founded in 2005, the Queen Creek Olive Mill is a 90-acre grove with nearly 10,000 olive trees grown in medium density. The mill harvests more than 30 tons of olives, producing more than 3,500 liters of extra virgin olive oil. The mill receives about 650,000 visitors a year and has diversified to include restaurants and shopping options. The mill sells olive oil, stuffed olives, tapenades and balsamic vinegars in an array of flavors. It has developed a full line of bath and body products made with the mill’s extra virgin olive oil. Among its annual events is the Olive Blossom Festival in the spring that lets visitors observe the groves in full bloom and understand where the journey begins for virgin olive oil. Information: 480-888-9290, queencreekolivemill.com.
Schnepf Farms
Schnepf Farms
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Location: 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road
Hours of operation: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday
Cost: Admission is free with fees for products and various events
Schnepf Farms is more than 80 years old, although the agritainment part did not begin until 30 years ago. Over the years, the Schnepf family worked to evolve the farm into the agritainment king it is today with rides, a bakery and country store. The farm receives about 300,000 visitors annually, mostly from outside the area. The farm also hosts some of the most iconic events in Queen Creek such as the Pumpkin & Chili Party in October, Hometown 4th in July and peach picking in May. Its largest event is Christmas at Schnepf Farms, when the farm transforms into a winter wonderland complete with an ice-skating rink. Information: 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.
The 10-acre botanical gardens contain various demonstration gardens such as an English garden, a Japanese garden, a vertical garden and an urban garden. In the future, the botanical gardens will build other gardens that have a tropical theme. You can eat anything in the gardens, including the flowers. The Queen Creek Botanical Gardens also works with new agricultural technology that promotes sustainability. The gardens have ventured into microclimates. By “contouring” the landscape, the gardens can grow plants and crops that normally wouldn’t survive the Arizona climate. The botanical gardens also hosts a weekly farmer’s market every Saturday morning. Information: 480-447-2485, qcgardens.org.
Cost: Admission is free, costs vary for each activity
The family-fun center is adjacent to the botanical gardens. The center includes indoor activities such as escape rooms, ax throwing, an arcade, gel blaster and laser tag. Outdoor attractions include a 21-hole putting course, a wave simulator for a surfing experience, an electric-cart track, a ropes course and zip line. There are also restaurants featuring barbecue, pizza and ice cream. Information: 480-943-1030, gopecanlake.com.
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Location: 22149 E. Ocotillo Road
Hours of operation: Times based on performances
Cost: $14-$30
Since opening in 2003, the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center has hosted concerts, performing arts and cultural events for the community. For its 20th anniversary, it was remodeled to update the appearance of the auditorium, replace sound panels and install new house seats. QCPAC has hosted Broadway productions such as “Hello Dolly,” “Legally Blonde,” “Annie” and “Disney’s Beauty and The Beast.” The venue also hosts local dance companies and musical revues, tribute shows and Broadway showcases. Information: 480-987-7469, qcpac.com.
Frontier Family Park
Frontier Family Park
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Location: 20039 S. 220 St.
Hours of operation: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Cost: Free
Queen Creek’s newest park, the 85-acre Frontier Family Park opened in 2024. It has an inclusive play area, a 5-acre stocked fishing lake, lighted ball fields, picnic areas, splash pad and basketball and volleyball courts. The lake requires a fishing license for anyone 10 years and older. The park also features 24 pickleball courts and a 1.5-mile multiuse path that spans the perimeter of the park. The park is also home to the Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center which is open only to residents or guests of residents with a day pass. Information: tinyurl.com/398v26bv.
Mansel Carter Oasis Park
Mansel Carter Oasis Park
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Location: 19535 E. Appleby Road
Hours of operation: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Cost: Free
Expanded by 13 acres in 2024, the park’s new section includes a pump track, tennis, volleyball and pickleball courts, additional restrooms and parking, and passive green space. Amenities found on the original 48 acres of the park include two lighted multipurpose fields, four lighted baseball fields, a playground, two sand volleyball courts, a 5-acre fishing lake, a skate plaza and the popular shipwreck-themed splash pad. The lake requires a fishing license for anyone 10 years and older. Information: tinyurl.com/mra3sebs.
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Location: 20464 E. Riggs Road
Hours of operation: Community Arena is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Cost: Event Center times and costs vary by event
This 38-acre facility features events for both English and Western equestrian riding, as well as vendor fairs, concerts and rodeos. It is the home of the annual Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek rodeo each spring — a town tradition. Horseshoe Park has more than 77 RV spaces, each with water and electric hook-ups. Reservations are required for the RV spaces. The Community Arena, in the southwest section of the park, consists of an arena, round pen, small gathering area and restrooms. It is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily for drop-in use only. Equestrian activities requiring special equipment such as barrels, jumping poles, cones, mounted shooting and more are not permitted. Information: 480-358-3710, tinyurl.com/yvx7mht4.
Trails
Queen Creek Wash Trail
Independent Newsmedia/Janet Perez
Queen Creek Wash Trail
Sonoqui Wash Trail
Ovation Trailhead
Trails at Horseshoe Park
Hours of operation: Open sunrise to sunset
Cost: Free
Queen Creek offers multiuse trails along the Queen Creek and Sonoqui washes. The trail system provides connectivity throughout town and its neighboring communities, including the San Tan Mountain Regional Park. The Queen Creek Wash Trail is approximately 6 miles, winding through town following the banks of the Queen Creek Wash. The Sonoqui Wash Trail is currently 3.8 miles and weaves in and out of the rural desert landscape. The Ovation Trailhead is on Meridian Road just north of the Queen Creek Wash and offers access for trail users and equestrians alike. Trails at Horseshoe Park is 1.3 miles covering nearly 80 acres of the former landfill site and connect to the town’s wash trail system. Information: tinyurl.com/mr24vuu4.
Neighboring Queen Creek to the south, San Tan Mountain Regional Park is more than 10,000 acres of Sonoran Desert rising in elevation from about 1,400 feet to more than 2,500 feet. Along the trails visitors will see vegetation change from creosote flats to dense saguaro forest. Reptiles, birds and mammals can be found throughout the park. At the Nature Center, visitors can purchase souvenirs and view the wildlife exhibits and tortoise habitat. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from May 1 to Oct. 31, and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Nov. 1 to April 30. Information: 602-506-2930 ext. 7, tinyurl.com/2zh2kcut.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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