Phoenix & Scottsdale Travel Guide
Desert Hiking in Phoenix
How to hike the Valley safely and well — the major trail systems compared, which hike suits whom, heat and water rules, parking strategy, and the current closures and conditions for 2026-27.
Few big American cities put wilderness so close to the hotel lobby. Phoenix is ringed and dotted with mountain preserves — Camelback, the Phoenix Mountains, South Mountain, the McDowells, the Superstitions — that offer everything from ten-minute strolls to serious scrambles. Hiking here is one of the defining experiences of a Valley trip, and it rewards a little planning and a lot of respect for the desert.
The golden rules. Start early: sunrise is the best time to hike in every season, and in summer it is the only sensible time. Carry more water than you think you need — at least a liter per person for a short hike in winter, much more in heat — and turn around if half of it is gone before your goal. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, since many trails are rocky and steep, and bring a hat, sunscreen and a charged phone. Stay on marked trails to protect fragile desert soils and avoid getting lost. Watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather and keep your distance from cholla cactus, whose spines detach at the lightest touch. Leave no trace and never touch petroglyphs.
Camelback Mountain — the signature summit. The Valley's most famous hike climbs to about 2,700 feet in the heart of the city. Echo Canyon, on the west side, is a little over a mile each way with around 1,200 feet of steep climbing and long boulder scrambles; Cholla, on the east, is longer and gentler at first but finishes on an exposed rocky ridge. Both are difficult and both are crowded on cool-season weekends. The city closes them during the hottest hours on Extreme Heat Warning days, and rescues are frequent. Parking is the main hassle: arrive at first light or take a rideshare.
Papago Park — easy and scenic. For a short, easy hike, Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park is ideal: around two-tenths of a mile with steps to a wind-carved window over the city, perfect at sunset. Other gentle trails and flat canal paths link the park's buttes, the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, making it the best family choice.
South Mountain — space and solitude. One of the largest city-run parks in the country, at more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain offers over 100 miles of trails across three ranges. The Holbert Trail passes Hohokam petroglyphs before climbing toward Dobbins Lookout, the highest public point at 2,330 feet; the National Trail runs the length of the range for long days; and lower trails suit families. Non-hikers can drive Summit Road to Dobbins for the view, except during Silent Sunday road closures on the fourth Sunday of each month (and a shorter closure on other Sunday mornings). It is the antidote to Camelback's crowds.
The Phoenix Mountains Preserve. North of Camelback, this preserve holds Piestewa Peak, a steep, popular summit climb comparable to Camelback in effort, and a network of gentler trails. Note that North Mountain Park, one of the preserve's trailhead areas, closes from December 2026 until early 2028 for renovations, while other trailheads and the North Mountain Visitor Center stay open.
North Scottsdale and the McDowells. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in north Scottsdale protects a huge area of mountains and desert with well-signed trailheads, quieter paths and outstanding saguaro forests. It pairs naturally with a visit to Taliesin West, where weekend sunset hikes run into late December and winter shelter and plant hikes run from January to March.
The Superstition Mountains. An hour east, Lost Dutchman State Park sits beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Superstitions. The Treasure Loop is a moderate, scenic choice; Siphon Draw climbs steeply into a slickrock basin, and continuing to the Flatiron is a strenuous, exposed scramble for experienced hikers only, with a long history of rescues. Combine a morning hike with Goldfield Ghost Town and the paved Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat; Canyon Lake is closed for dam work until about January 2027.
Choosing your hike. First-timers with good fitness: Camelback at sunrise. Families with young children: Hole-in-the-Rock and Papago's easy trails, or lower South Mountain. Big views without the scramble: drive to Dobbins Lookout. Solitude and saguaros: South Mountain's longer trails or the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. A wild day out: the Superstitions.
Heat and season. From November to March, hiking conditions are excellent, though the sun is still strong. From April, start earlier each week. From May to September, hike only at dawn, choose shorter routes, and heed heat closures; many locals simply move their hiking to the high country around Flagstaff in summer. Monsoon storms from July to September can cause flash flooding in washes and canyons, so check forecasts before heading out.
Guided options. If you prefer company, local guide companies lead hikes on many of these trails, and the Desert Botanical Garden's guided programs and Taliesin West's desert hikes add expertise on plants, history and design. A hot-air balloon flight offers a different perspective entirely: the whole Sonoran Desert spread out beneath you at sunrise.