Hiking Tips

Welcome STAY SAFE Seasons

Most of the mountain parks and preserves in metropolitan Phoenix are Mother Nature smiles on some cities more than others. Phoenix,
Welcome to Greater Phoenix, America’s sunniest metropolis. undeveloped Sonoran Desert areas. Hikers may encounter rocky terrain, obviously, is blessed in the sunshine department.
rattlesnakes, bees and other hazards native to this ecosystem. These safety
What sets Phoenix apart from every other big city in the United States tips are crucial to read before embarking on a hike in the desert. Phoenix basks in sunshine more than any other major metropolitan area
is its Sonoran Desert scenery. Phoenix is surrounded on all sides by in the U.S. — during 85 percent of its daylight hours. And the cliché
mountains, and the sun shines during 85 percent of daylight hours. • Drink plenty of water. Bring at least 1 quart for short hikes, and 3-5 that “it’s a dry heat” rings true: Humidity levels are pleasantly low, even
quarts for daylong hikes. When you’ve consumed half of your water, turn in summer.
Phoenix has more acreage of parks and preserves than any other major around.
• Make sure someone knows where you’ll be hiking and when you expect The bottom line: Any time is a good time to visit the Sonoran Desert.
metropolis in the nation, and visitors can explore all this glorious public
to return.
land via hundreds of miles of trails. TRAIL ETIQUETTE WINTER
• Hike with a friend. It’s safer … and usually more fun.
• During hot-weather months, hike in the early morning or near dusk. During the winter months Greater Phoenix enjoys blue skies and highs in Trail Guide
If your most memorable travel experiences tend to occur outdoors, with Full-sun temperatures can be up to 20 degrees higher than the “official” Public lands are shared places, and many of the 60s and 70s. Winter nights in the desert can get chilly, though the
the sun on your shoulders and dirt beneath your feet, then you’re in the temperature. Phoenix’s trails attract heavy use. It’s important temperature rarely dips below freezing.
right place. This guide will help you choose trails that best suit you, and • On the hottest summer days, consider whether it’s safe to hike at all. to respect the environment and be mindful of
provide tips to help keep you prepared and safe. Remember: Even if you are hydrated, you can still suffer from heat-
related illness.
fellow hikers. SPRING
Phoenix’s weather is consistently perfect during springtime. Daytime
PHOENIX
• Wear appropriate footwear, preferably hiking boots or closed-toe trail • Always stay on designated trails. Phoenix temperatures loll around 80 degrees, while evenings are comfortably
One of the best things about hiking in Phoenix is that, at trail’s end,
shoes. Leave the sandals at home. city ordinances prohibit trailblazing. cool. Spring is when hikers hit the trails to see blooming cactuses and
you’ll find yourself in the cosmopolitan heart of Arizona. Phoenix is the • Use common sense and courtesy when wildflowers, and baseball fans flock to stadiums across the metro area
• Wear light-colored, comfortable clothing.
sixth-largest city in the United States, and it’s easy to transition from sharing the trail with others. In general, for Cactus League Spring Training.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen (SPF 15 minimum).
the wildness of the desert to the comfort of the city. • Bring a basic first-aid kit. bike riders yield to both hikers and
• Avoid putting your hands and feet anywhere you cannot see. horseback riders; hikers yield to horseback riders. Downhill hikers yield SUMMER
Phoenix is a place where it’s easy to migrate between high culture and
low. The city is known as much for street tacos, spring-training baseball
• Carry a mobile phone.
•
to uphill hikers.
Announce your intentions and slow your pace when passing someone on
Summertime temps routinely reach triple digits in summer, but a
100-degree day in the desert actually feels much more pleasant than
Average Temperatures
and casual patio dining as it is for high-desert golf courses, destination
spas and upscale shopping.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NEED HELP
•
the trails.
Do not litter.
an 85-degree day in a locale with heavy humidity. The best thing about
summer in Phoenix: It’s value season. Prices at resorts, hotels and golf in Phoenix
If you encounter an emergency on the trail, follow the “S.T.O.P.” protocol: Stop, • Do not deface, destroy or remove plants, animals, rock art (petroglyphs/ courses plunge as much as 30 percent.
Think, Observe, Plan. Remember: In a crisis, your brain is your No. 1 survival pictographs), historical markers or geological sites. HIGH LOW
This is Phoenix: Beautiful. Wild. Distinct. Fun. FALL (° F/ °C) (° F/ °C)
tool.
Autumn days in Phoenix are warm, sunny and exceedingly pleasant. It’s a January 67/19 44/7
Have a wonderful time on the trail—and off it. • If you are lost or injured, do not panic. great time for recreational pursuits, off-season sunbathing and serious
shopping. Nights can get cool, but patio dining and outdoor events are February 71/22 48/9
• If you need help, call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
• Know your location. Look for the nearest trail marker or any noticeable still comfortable. March 76/24 52/11
landmark such as a bench, wash or tree. April 85/29 58/14
• Identify the emergency situation. Be specific regarding the condition of Source: City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation
an injured person. May 94/34 67/19
June 104/40 76/24
July 106/41 82/28
August 104/40 81/27
September 99/37 75/24 125 N 2nd Street Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2290
October 88/31 63/17 (877) 225-5749 • Fax (602) 253-4415
November 75/24 50/10 www.visitphoenix.com
December 67/19 44/7 Visit Phoenix @visitphoenix visitphoenix
Average 86/30 62/17
EXPERT Must-See AZ
PICKS

ARIZONA
1 Phoenix is the jumping-off point to several hiking and sightseeing destinations in the Grand Canyon State.

Metropolitan Phoenix is similar in size to the state of

Delaware, and its landscape gives rise to nine mountain
chains. To help you choose among the region’s innumerable
trails, we asked professional guides from some of the city’s 2
top outfitters to share a few of their favorite hikes.

© USDA Forest Service, Coconino

EASY
MODERATE 3

Lower Salt River Nature Trail, Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area 1 2 3

This interpretive trial is great for families and birdwatchers. It Hidden Valley Loop via Morman Trail, South Mountain Park
skirts the Salt River’s lush riparian zone and gives hikers plenty of This popular hike near downtown Phoenix affords views of the city and
4 Antelope Canyon, Page Grand Canyon National Park Mount Humphreys Flagstaff
opportunities to see wildlife (including wild horses). Camelback Mountain before looping through a sand-floored “hidden” basin www.antelopecanyon.com www.nps.gov/grca www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
Length: 2.3 miles (loop) and a rock tunnel called “Fat Man’s Pass”. 5
Length: 4 miles (out and back)
Waterfall Trail, White Tank Mountain Regional Park 6
This well-maintained trail on Phoenix’s northwest flank takes hikers Butcher Jones Trail, Saguaro Lake
past an amazing display of ancient Hohokam petroglyphs en route to This trail winds along the shoreline of Saguaro Lake, passing through a
a seasonal waterfall—a rare site in a desert canyon. mesquite bosque and several fishing coves. Summer brings crowds to the
Length: 2 miles (out and back) lake—but is also the season for a post-hike swim.
Length: 5 miles (out and back)

CHALLENGING
7

Flatiron, Superstition Wilderness Area

4 5 6
This 4,800-foot peak is accessed via a steep, rocky ascent of Siphon Draw
Trail. The rugged climb rewards hikers with one of the best 360-degree views
in the region. Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon Watson Lake, Prescott Tonto Natural Bridge, Payson
www.prescott-az.gov www.azstateparks.com/tonto
Length: 6 miles (out and back) 8
www.fs.usda.gov/coconino

9
Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Tom’s Thumb is an iconic landmark in the McDowell Mountains. The trail
to it climbs steadily through a dramatic boulder field that’s blanketed by

© David McCray, USDA Forest Service, Coronado

wildflowers in spring.
Length: 4.6 miles (out and back)

©NPS
Guided Tours

©Arizona State Parks

360 Adventures Arizona Scenic Tours
(480) 722-0360 (800) 724-1251
www.360-adventures.com www.arizonascenictours.com
A great way to learn more about the human and natural history of 7 8 9
Arizona’s wild places is to take a guided hiking tour. Local outfitters Arizona Outback Adventures
offer on-trail excursions across the state, from day hikes in Phoenix (866) 455-1601
1
to multiday trips to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. www.aoa-adventures.com 3
Lost Dutchman/Superstition Wilderness Area Picacho Peak, Tucson Mount Lemmon, Tucson
www.azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman www. azstateparks.com/picacho/ www.fs.usda.gov/coronado
 2
14

7 Greater Phoenix Trails

Hike Bike Dog Friendly Horse Friendly ADA Compliant
10
3 4 11 Park/Preserve Level of Length
Difficulty (miles)
1 Camelback Mountain (Invergordon Rd. & Chaparral Rd.)
15 www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations

6 Bobby’s Rock Loop E √ .18

Cholla D/S √ 1.5
Echo Canyon Trail D/S √ 1.2
2 Cave Creek Regional Park (32nd St. & Carefree Hwy.)
www.maricopacountyparks.net
Flume M √ √ √ √ 2.3
Go John (permit required) M/D √ √ √ √ 5.8
9

Level of Difficulty*: E= Easy, M= Moderate/Intermediate, D= Difficult, S= Strenuous

17 Overton M √ √ √ √ 2.1
Quartz M √ √ √ √ 1.4
Slate E √ √ √ √ 1.6
3 City of Peoria Trail System (Happy Valley Rd. & Lake Pleasant Pkwy.)
1 www.peoriaaz.gov/government/departments/community-services/parks-and-trails/hiking-trails

16 East Wing Mountain E-D √ √ √ √ see website

for trails
13 Sunrise Mountain E-D √ √ √ √ see website
for trails

8 West Wing Mountain E-D √ √ √ √ see website

for trails
4 Deem Hills Recreation Area (51st Ave. & Deem Hills Pkwy.)
www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations
Deem Hills Circumference √ √ √ √ 5.73
5 Palisades Trail/Water Tank Road √ √ √ √ 1.53
Basalt Trail √ √ √ √ .64
Deem Hills Ridgeline Trail √ √ √ √ 1.45
12 5 Estrella Mountain Regional Park (Estrella Pkwy. & Vineyard Ave.)
www.maricopacountyparks.net
Baseline M √ √ 2.6
Butterfield (Front) E √ √ √ √ .8
Butterfield (Back) M √ √ √ √ 1.3
Coldwater M √ √ √ √ 2.9
Crossover E √ √ √ √ .9
Dysart E √ √ √ √ 1.9
Quail D √ √ √ √ 1.0
Toothaker M √ √ √ √ 3.9
Greater Phoenix Trails Park/Preserve Level of
Difficulty
Length
(miles)
Park/Preserve Level of
Difficulty
Length
(miles)
Park/Preserve Level of
Difficulty
Length
(miles)
Park/Preserve Level of Length 8 Papago Park (Mill Ave. & Van Buren St.) Valle Vista Trail (Southern Area) M √ √ √ √ 1.2 Elephant Mountain D/S √ √ √ 2.0
Difficulty (miles) www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations Pinnacle Peak Park (E Jomax Rd. &N Alma School Rd.)
11
Metate E √ √ .8
6 McDowell Mountain Regional Park (McDowell Mountain Rd. & McDowell Mountain Park Dr.) Hole-in-the-Rock E √ √ .17 www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/pinnacle-peak-park
Spur Cross M √ √ √ √ 5.2
www.maricopacountyparks.net Elliot Ramada Loop E √ √ √ √ √ 2.7 Pinnacle Peak Trail M/D √ 1.75
Tortuga M √ √ √ 1.2
Bluff M √ √ √ √ 2.2 Double Butte Loop E √ √ √ √ 2.3 12 South Mountain (multiple entrances, Main: W Dobbins Rd. & S Central Ave.) 15 Thunderbird Conservation Park (59th Ave. & W Pinnacle Peak Rd.)
Delsie E √ √ √ √ 2.5 Galvin Bikeway E √ √ √ √ 1.4 www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations
www.glendaleaz.com/Parksandrecreation/ThunderbirdPark.cfm
Escondido M √ √ √ √ 6.2 Crosscut E √ √ √ √ √ 1.4 Alta M/D √ √ √ √ 4.8
Coach Whip M √ √ √ √ 5.0
Granite E √ √ √ √ 3.5 Nature Trail E √ √ √ √ .5 Bajada M √ √ √ √ 3.2
Arrowhead Point M/D √ √ √ √ 1.5
Lariat E √ √ √ √ 1.5 Beverly Canyon M √ √ √ √ 1.5
Phoenix Mountain Preserve (multiple entrances, North Mountain Visitor Center 7th St. & E Thunderbird Ave.) Cholla Loop M/D √ √ √ √ 3.0
9
Lousley Hill M √ √ 1.2 (RT) www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations Desert Classic M √ √ √ √ 9.0 Sunrise M/D √ √ √ √ 2.0
North E √ √ √ 2.9 (RT) #1A Perl Charles Memorial M/D √ √ √ √ 4.8 Geronimo M √ √ √ √ 2.5 Desert Iguana E √ √ √ √ .75
Pemberton D √ √ √ √ 15.3 Hidden Valley (Expert Pick) E/M √ √ √ √ .5 16 Usery Mountain Regional Park (Ellsworth Rd. & McDowell Rd.)
#8 L.V. Yates Trail E/M √ √ √ √ 2.5
Scenic M √ √ √ √ 3.5 www.maricopacountyparks.net
#8A Quartz Ridge M √ √ √ √ 1.7 Holbert M/D √ √ √ √ 2.9
Shallmo Wash D √ √ √ √ 1.7 Amigos Wash M √ √ √ √ 1.2
#44 North Mountain National M/D √ √ 1.6 Javelina Canyon M/D √ √ √ √ 1.7
Stoneman Wash D √ √ √ √ 4.3 Blevins E √ √ √ √ 3.0 (RT)
#60 Maxine Lakin Nature E/M √ √ √ √ 1.2 Judith Tunell Accessible E √ √ √ .5
Tonto Tank E √ √ √ √ 2.7 Cat Peaks M √ √ √ √ 1.1
#100 Charles M. Christiansen Memorial E/M √ √ √ √ 10.7 Judith Tunell Challenge E √ √ √ .5
Verde E √ √ √ 1.2 County Line E √ √ √ √ 1.0
#150 Lookout Mountain Summit M/D √ √ .6 Las Lomitas E √ √ √ √ 1.2
Wagner E √ √ √ 1.1 Crismon Wash M √ √ √ √ .9
#200 Mohave E/M √ √ √ √ .4 Ma Ha Tauk M/D √ √ √ √ 1.5
Noso M √ √ √ √ 1.0
7 McDowell Sonoran Preserve (multiple trailheads see below) #202 Mohave Connector E/M √ √ √ √ 1.5
www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trail-maps Max Delta M √ √ √ √ 2.7 Pass Mountain D √ √ √ √ 7.5 (RT)
#220 Dreamy Draw Nature E/M √ √ √ √ 1.5
Brown’s Ranch Trailhead E-D √ √ √ √ √ see website Mormon M/D √ √ √ √ 1.1 Ruidoso E √ √ √ √ 1.3
(N. Alma School Rd. & Dynamite Blvd.) for trails #300 Summit (Piestewa Peak) M/D √ 1.2
National M/D √ √ √ √ 14.3 Spillway E √ √ √ √ 1.2
Fraesfield Trailhead E-D √ √ √ √ see website #302 Freedom M/D √ √ √ √ 3.7
Pima East Loop M √ √ √ √ 1.5 Vista M √ √ .5
(E Rio Verde Dr. & 132nd St.) for trails #304 Nature E/M √ √ √ √ 1.5
Wind Cave D √ √ 1.5
Gateway Trailhead E-S √ √ √ √ √ see website #306 Shaw Butte M/D √ √ √ √ 4.0 Pima West Loop M √ √ √ √ 2.2
(N Thompson Peak Pkwy. & E Bell Rd.) for trails 17 White Tank Mountain Regional Park (Olive Ave. & Citrus Rd.)
#308 Lookout Mountain Circumference M/D √ √ √ √ 2.6 Pyramid M/D √ √ √ √ 3.0 www.maricopacountyparks.net
Granite Mountain Trailhead E-D √ √ √ √ see website
#312 Shadow Mountain Big Loop M/D √ √ √ √ 1.6 Ranger M/D √ √ √ √ 1.6 Bajada M √ √ √ √ 1.1
(E Lone Mountain Rd. & N 136th St.) for trails
10 Phoenix Sonoran Preserve (W Jomax Rd. & N North Valley Pkwy.) Telegraph Pass M/D √ √ √ √ 1.5 Ford Canyon D/S √ √ √ √ 7.4
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead E-M √ √ √ √ see website
www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations
(N 124 St. & E Via Linda) for trails Goat Camp D/S √ √ √ √ 6.3
13 Skyline Regional Park (I-10 and Watson Rd.)
Ocotillo Trail (Northern Area) E √ √ √ √ 6.25
Quartz Trailhead E √ √ √ √ see website www.skylineregionalpark.com/trails/ Ironwood M √ √ √ √ .9
(N Thompson Peak Pkwy. & N Frank for trails Ridgeback Trail (Northern Area) M √ √ √ √ 1.53
Lost Creek M √ √ √ √ .3 Mesquite Canyon D √ √ √ √ 5.0
LLyod Wright Blvd.) Sidewinder Trail (Northern Area) M/D √ √ √ √ 6.98
Mountain Wash M √ √ √ √ 1.1 Mule Deer (Maricopa Trail) M √ √ √ √ 3.4
Ringtail Trailhead E-M √ √ √ √ see website Sonoran Paseo (Northern Area) E √ √ √ √ √ 5.0
(N 128th St. & E Cactus Rd.) for trails Waddell E √ √ √ √ 1.0
Turnbuckle M √ √ √ √ 3.0
Bobcat Trail (Southern Area) E √ √ √ √ 1.01 Waterfall (Expert Pick) E .9
√ √
Sunrise Trailhead D √ √ √ √ see website Desert Tortoise Trail (Southern Area) M √ √ √ √ 1.1 Valley Vista D √ √ .3
(N 145th Way & E Wethersfield Rd.) for trails Wildlife E √ √ √ √ .2
Dixie Mountain Loop (Southern Area) M √ √ √ √ 3.82 Watson Overlook M √ √ √ √ .3
Level of Difficulty*: E= Easy, M= Moderate/Intermediate, D= Difficult, S= Strenuous
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead (Expert Pick) E-S √ √ √ √ see website
Dixie Summit Trail (Southern Area) D √ √ √ √ .22 14 Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area (Cave Creek Rd. & Spur Cross Rd.)
(N 128th St. & E Pinnacle Peak Rd.) for trails Hike Bike Dog Friendly Horse Friendly ADA Compliant
www.maricopacountyparks.net
Hawk’s Nest Trail (Southern Area) M √ √ √ √ .39
104th St./Bell Rd. Trailhead E √ √ √ √ see website Dragonfly M 2.6 * The difficulty level listed for each trail is a subjective guideline based on the average hiker’s skill and stamina.
Union Peak Trail (Southern Area) M/D √ √ √ √ .45 √ √
for trails Not all trails are listed. Please see park websites for full listings.