McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is where Scottsdale keeps its wild side, and for many hikers it is the best reason to visit the Valley at all. Assembled by the city over three decades with voter support, the preserve now protects more than 30,500 acres of desert and mountains along Scottsdale's northern and eastern edges, and it is often described as the largest urban preserve in the country. More than 230 miles of multi-use trails thread through saguaro forests, granite boulder fields, washes and the ridges of the McDowell Mountains, shared by hikers, mountain bikers and riders, and entry is free from sunrise to sunset every day. Eleven trailheads (Brown's Ranch, Fraesfield, Gateway, Granite Mountain, Lost Dog Wash, Pima Dynamite, Quartz, Ringtail, Sunrise, Tom's Thumb and WestWorld) let you choose your landscape. For a first visit, Gateway is the classic starting point: a handsome trailhead off Thompson Peak Parkway with parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, drinking water and interpretive signs, plus the accessible Bajada Nature Trail for an easy loop and the Gateway Loop for a moderate few miles with big views back over the city. Strong hikers head for Tom's Thumb, a steep climb of about 1,200 feet on loose gravel to a landmark granite tower, with the Marcus Landslide Trail and its interpretive boulders nearby for an easier option. Brown's Ranch in the north reopened at the end of October 2026 after improvements and rerouted trails, and its gentler terrain suits long, rolling walks among granite outcrops. Compared with Camelback, the preserve is quieter, roomier and more varied, and you will see far more desert wildlife.

The preserve is managed with a light touch, and the rules are straightforward. Gates open about half an hour before sunrise and trails close at sunset, with trailhead times varying by season. Alcohol, smoking and fires are prohibited, and e-bikes, scooters and other powered devices are not allowed on the trails, apart from motorized wheelchairs. Dogs are welcome on a handheld leash no longer than six feet, but the city's guidance is blunt: if it will be over 90 degrees at any point during your outing, leave your dog at home. Most trailheads have restrooms and shade, but not all have water, so carry more than you think you need and turn around when half of it is gone. From roughly May to September, triple-digit temperatures are routine and hiking belongs to the first hours after dawn.

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, the volunteer group that partners with the city, runs free guided hikes and educational walks from the main trailheads through the cooler months, resuming each October. Desert 101-style walks at Gateway are an excellent introduction for first-timers, covering how saguaros grow, which plants to avoid touching and how to read the wildlife signs along the trail. Spring brings wildflowers and cactus blooms; winter brings clear air and views to the Four Peaks and the Superstitions.

Plan a morning around it. Start at Gateway or Tom's Thumb at sunrise, hike for two to four hours, then head to Old Town Scottsdale for brunch, or pair the preserve with an afternoon at Taliesin West, which sits at the foot of the McDowells only a short drive away. Fit: desert hikers of every level, first-time visitors who want a real Sonoran Desert experience without the crowds of Camelback, couples looking for a sunrise hike, and families who can take advantage of the short, accessible nature trail at Gateway.