Hikes in Phoenix
Phoenix Hikes
Phoenix hikes are an amazing way to explore the stunning Arizona landscape and will make you realize that Phoenix is so much more than its dynamic urban center. Right within city limits, nature reserves and protected areas provide outdoor adventurers with a jaw-dropping selection of trails to explore. Put aside what you know about this desert center and re-imagine it as a mecca for hikers and mountain bikers. There are countless Phoenix hikes that are ready and waiting to be explored!
Flanked by the McDowell Mountains, White Tank Mountains, and the Superstition Mountains, there are peaks over 762 m to climb without ever leaving city limits. Phoenix hikes offer every bit of the one-of-a-kind Sonoran Desert scenery you’d desire, with mighty saguaros, prickly teddy bear cholla, caves, petroglyphs, barrel cactus, wildlife, and more to experience as you hike.
Whether you’re scaling Camelback Mountain, listening to a Taiko drum atop Piestewa Peak, or taking a sunset stroll through Papago Park, you’ll find that these rugged, edgy desert trails can become some of the most fascinating to explore. Read on to discover some of the most popular Phoenix hikes.
20 Best Hikes in Phoenix
Ready to start exploring? We’re making it easy to get going with 20 of our favorite Phoenix hikes. Our list includes short, easy trails, challenging summits, and everything in between. Work your way through as many as you can on the weekends or make the most of your downtime while visiting the city–you’ll want to keep exploring once you first discover the draw of the desert.
Our 20 best hikes in Phoenix are chosen to show off the highlights of Phoenix’s landscape. While starting with these Phoenix hikes is a great way to get acquainted with the area's hiking scene, remember that we’ve got plenty more route guides to keep you adventuring!
Camelback Mountain, named for its resemblance to a camel laying down, is the tallest mountain in the Phoenix area. Clearly visible from its dominating spot on the skyline, it beckons hikers with its sloping summit. Camelback Mountain offers excellent views of the city and the surrounding mountains since it’s the tallest mountain in the area. It’s a tough hike, but a rite of passage indeed!
These days, Papago Park is a recreational and hiking area, a golf course, and an access point for the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens. In years past, it was a Native reservation, a fish hatchery in the Depression, a POW camp, and a VA hospital. It’s not only a historical part of the city, but a beautiful one, with big red hills eroded like Swiss cheese. There are caves to explore and views of the city to enjoy. This trail loops the golf course–fore!!
North Mountain rises above the Phoenix area, offering a gorgeous summit with expansive views of the city and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve to the southwest. The views are really special at sunset when the mountains over the city are silhouetted in orange and yellow. This hike is fairly short, and most of the trail is actually paved, but it’s still steep enough to feel like a workout.
Piestewa Peak is one of the defining mountains of Phoenix’s skyline, rising 795 m to claim the title of the second-tallest mountain in the city. Part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the hiking trails on this mountain provide locals and visitors with the chance to challenge themselves in exchange for incredible views of the city and the mountains that surround it. This trail both reaches the summit and loops around the base of the mountain.
Lookout Mountain is an isolated peak in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The mountain offers an excellent view of the other peaks of the preserve, which are just south of it, and the city and its suburbs sprawling in all directions. The hike to the top of Lookout Mountain is a short one, but it’s no-nonsense, requiring a bit of light scrambling over rocky sections. It’s a good pick for beginners who want to try out a more adventurous trail that’s still forgiving.
The Hole in the Rock in Papago Park is one of the city’s most popular hiking trails. This short, simple Phoenix hike leads you up a red sandstone butte with a hole in it large enough to sit in. This hole is one of several in this very unique landscape, where erosion in the sandstone creates a spongelike appearance on the rocks.
The hike to Dobbins Lookout is an awesome adventure. It’s just hard enough to challenge more experienced hikers, but it’s still accessible for strong beginners thanks to its non-rocky path (relative to the usual in Phoenix) and lack of technicality. The view from the lookout is a treat, and it won’t take too long to reach it. You can also check out petroglyphs on this amazing Phoenix hike.
Mormon Trail is one of the main routes in South Mountain Park. This busy trail can be used to reach Acer Summit, or it can be used to create loop hikes with the several intersecting routes along the way. The trail isn’t technical, but it offers unique rocky desert terrain flanked by saguaros. Look for petroglyphs on the sides of this trail.
The Deem Hills Recreation Area is a fabulous park serving residents of North Phoenix. The park boasts playgrounds, a dog park, ramadas, and picnic areas. It’s a perfect place to relax on a warm afternoon. The hiking trails in this park are great, especially the Circumference Trail to Ridgeline Loop. This route climbs to the highest point in the park. While it’s not that high in the mountain world, the views are excellent.
Aravaipa Canyon Trail is a unique route that travels along the floor of a gorgeous cliff-bound gorge southeast of Phoenix. This hike passes through a wide, wooded area into the gorge, the rocks changing from volcanic to conglomerate. There are cacti, trees, and wildlife to see along the way. This is a special trail that usually feels quite secluded.
The Brown’s Ranch Perimeter Loop is a fantastic adventure through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This loop makes use of several different trails over 22.5 km. You can see Balanced Rock and the Amphitheater on this hike. The saguaros, the mountains, and the rock formations make for great scenery, and the trail’s packed sand/gravelly footing is easy to cruise over.
The Hieroglyphic Trail is a fascinating hike that leads you up towards the base of the mighty Superstition Mountains into a canyon where petroglyphs decorate the basalt boulders and walls. These images were left here over 1,500 years ago when the Hohokam tribe lived in this area. Along with the petroglyphs, this hike shows off the towering Superstition Mountains above you and the Gold Canyon and Gila River Plain below. In the spring, it’s lined by wildflowers.
The hike to Bluff Springs and Cave via Peralta Trail is a bit of an under-appreciated gem. This hike in the Superstition Wilderness doesn’t have the hype surrounding it that other trails do, but users consistently rate it high and appreciate it for its beautiful views. This route shows off a gorgeous slice of the desert mountains, dotted with saguaros and fascinating rock formations sculpted by erosion.
The hike to Canyon Lake Marina via Peralta Trail is an ideal adventure for backpackers seeking a two day and one night trip. Beginning from the Peralta Trailhead at the far southern border of the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix, this hike traverses the rugged, gorgeous desert mountains to the lake, tucked away in the hills.
This hike is a very easy adventure that anyone of any age can enjoy. The Papago Park Butte Loop wraps around two buttes, which look like something out of an aquarium with their Swiss cheese hotels and smooth exterior. The trail is clear, easy to follow, and lined with unique desert plants and cacti.
Pinnacle Peak Trail is a great hike that’s enjoyed by hikers, runners, and climbers bound for the climbing routes on Pinnacle Peak. This route might deceive you a bit with its name–it’s not as hard as it sounds. You won’t be climbing up a peak, but you will be enjoying Pinnacle Peak and the summit next to it as you hike. Being just south of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, you can see the mountains in the preserve from this trail.
Tom's Thumb Trail is a hard hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, one of the best natural areas near Scottsdale. This hike climbs up past East End Peak to a viewpoint over the McDowell Mountains and the city of Phoenix spread out below. The view is a treat and the hike is relatively short, so if you’re a fast hiker, the bang for your buck is definitely there.
Western Vista Trail via Dixie Mountain Loop is a moderate hike in the Union Hills area of Phoenix. This route is moderately difficult, and we’d consider it suitable for strong beginners and older children. The hike climbs up through the hills near the base of Dixie Mountain, ending atop the hill immediately to the west of Dixie. You’ll enjoy a great view of the low peaks and the city beside you.
Telegraph Pass Trail is a hike that’s easy to reach and very popular. This moderate trail is used by hikers, dog walkers, and joggers. It’s suitable for families, but with a great view of the city from the top, it’s rewarding for all levels. Some of the trail is on concrete footing, then you’ll hike over packed dirt, so you can check this one off your list in your sneakers.
Freedom Trail is the route that wraps around Piestewa Peak’s base in its entirety. It’s sometimes called the Circumference Trail in contrast to the trail to the summit, which is called Summit Trail. This trail is much easier than the trek to the summit, so it’s a good pick for hikers who don’t feel ready to climb the whole mountain but who still want to appreciate the scenery of this peak and this part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
Scroll down to see the full list of hiking trails in Phoenix.
When is the Best Time to Hike in Phoenix
To state the obvious, it gets extremely hot in Phoenix. The summer months (May through September) aren’t just unpleasant to hike in, they’re downright dangerous due to the risk of dehydration and heatstroke. Temperatures frequently exceed 110°F (41°C), making it generally unsafe to be wandering out on the trails.
Keep in mind that Arizona experiences summer monsoons, which are heavy, brief rainstorms that can bring lightning and flash flooding. Monsoons tend to come in the afternoons, so if you plan to hike in the summer despite the heat, getting an early start is even more important.
Spring and fall are somewhat milder, but you can still easily expect daytime temperatures to hover between 77°C to 86°F (25°C to 30°C) in March, April, October, and November. Should you be hiking in these months, make sure you bring lots of water, turn back when your water is halfway done, and wear sun protection. Begin your hike early in the morning or early in the evening to avoid the heat of the day.
Winter is the best time to hike in Phoenix. In January, February, and December, temperatures rise to a much more manageable 68°C to 71°F (20°C to 22°C) daytime high. While hotter days can still occur, you’re at a much lower risk of heat-related issues on the trail in the winter.
Other Outdoor Activities in Phoenix
While the trails are excellent, hiking is certainly not the only way to explore Phoenix! This region boasts plenty of space for other outdoor activities.
Adventurers on two wheels can take advantage of the many mountain bike trails. Those with four-legged friends can explore horse and dog-friendly trails. Campers can set up their tents in sites near the city, and birders and animal lovers will be spoiled with the fascinating variety of species that call the desert home.
How to Plan a Trip to Phoenix
Planning a trip to Phoenix is pleasantly less high-pressure than planning trips to some of Arizona’s other outdoor destinations. You won’t find long lines of cars vying for trailhead parking here, nor will you be strapped for places to stay.
Phoenix has a good selection of accommodation options, from hotels in each corner of the city to short and long-term vacation rentals. Renting a car will make getting around the city as easy as possible, especially since Phoenix lacks a well-developed transit system. Trailhead parking is normally easy to find, save for the busiest weekends.
Some of the parks and recreation areas near Phoenix charge modest day-use fees, but most of the routes are free to hike.
Arizona Adventure Tours
Some of us love trip planning and some of us just… don’t. Take the stress out of your trip with an expert-planned adventure tour, letting you let go and focus on the fun stuff. Check out some incredible adventure tours in Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phoenix
What is Phoenix known for?
The Desert Botanical Gardens, hot air balloons, Papago Park, Chase Field, sports games, golfing, and vacationers.
Why is Phoenix so popular?
Phoenix balances an affordable cost of living, job opportunities, and recreation in a way that makes it very attractive to many.
What is the population of Phoenix?
As of 2021, the population of Phoenix was approaching 1.7 million.
Does it get really hot in Phoenix?
Yes, extremely hot. The summers in Phoenix are some of the hottest in any major city in the United States.
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Best Hikes in Phoenix
Superstition Peak 5057 via Hieroglyphic Trail
This hike leads you to the top of Peak 5057 in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. You’ll follow the Hieroglyphic Trail, a fun route that leads you into a canyon decorated with petroglyphs. These images date back over 1,500 years when the Hohokam tribe lived here. You’ll have great views of the upper peaks of the Superstition Mountains over 610 m above you. Expect moderate traffic on this hike.
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Union Peak Loop
The Union Peak Loop is an easy trail in the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve that climbs up to the top of this little peak, giving you a nice view of nearby Dixie Mountain. This hike is usually not too busy at all and can be completed by beginners and kids. You can extend or shorten your adventure by using the other trails in this part of the preserve if you’d like. Expect light traffic most days on this route.
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Scarlett Canyon Hike
Scarlett Canyon is a route in Phoenix that shows off a small canyon in a suburban park. This trail is used by hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, but it doesn’t usually get too busy. Some of the difficulty rating comes from the footing–be ready to navigate some big boulders that might be tough for dogs and small kids to get over on their own. Sturdy boots are recommended for this hike.
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Alta Trail
The Alta Trail is a route in Phoenix’s South Mountain Preserve that climbs atop a ridge and follows the ridgeline down to the base and back. It’s a beautiful trail that, despite the scenery, doesn’t get as busy as many of the other trails in the preserve. It’s a long trek, but you can shorten it to your liking and still have an enjoyable hike. Expect light traffic on this hike.
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Alta and Bajada Loop
The Alta Trail and Bajada Trail Loop is a route in Phoenix’s South Mountain Preserve that climbs atop a ridge and follows the ridgeline down to the base before returning via a desert valley. It’s a pretty trail that, despite the scenery, doesn’t get as busy as many of the other trails in the preserve. The hike is one of the longer trails in the park and is best suited to intermediate hikers and better.
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Valle Verde Loop
This route is a loop hike in the Sonoran Desert Preserve that shows off Dixie Mountain and Union Peak in addition to a quick ascent of Union Peak. The desert scenery is great and the difficulty level is fairly accessible, making it a good hike for families, beginners, and more advanced hikers who want a more laid-back adventure. Expect light traffic on this route.
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Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail
The Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail is a moderate hike in Phoenix’s South Mountain Preserve. This route doesn’t have the most expansive views in the preserve, but it’s quieter than lots of the other trails in the park and it’s enough of a workout without earning a difficult rating. This route is used by hikers and horseback riders, so keep an eye out for droppings and remember to give riders the right of way.
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Piestewa Peak Circumference Hike
The Piestewa Peak Circumference hike encircles the base of Piestewa Peak and the base of the hill to the southeast of it. This route is rated as moderate, making it a much more accessible option than a full ascent of Piestewa Peak on days when a summit feels like more effort than you’re looking for. This trail provides ever-changing views of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and the city itself as you hike 360 degrees around the mountain.
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Trail 306 via Trail 100
Trail 306 and Trail 100 lead you through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve near North Mountain. This route is quite easy until the midpoint when you’ll climb up a rocky trail partway to the top of Shaw Butte. If you skipped this climb, the route is likely suitable for younger kids. Expect light to moderate traffic and enjoy the desert views.
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Coach Whip Hike
The Coach Whip hike is a route in the Thunderbird Conservation Park in Glendale. The park mostly draws residents who live nearby, and this route in particular is known to be undulating and rocky. It’s a good one if you want some varied terrain but you’d prefer to skip any big ascents. You’ll want some sturdy boots for this one! Expect fairly light traffic.
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Coach Whip Mini Loop
The Coach Whip Mini Loop is a short, easy hike in the Thunderbird Conservation Park in Glendale. The park mostly draws residents who live nearby, so it doesn’t get too busy. This loop is a shorter take on the longer Coach Whip hike so it’s a nice pick if you have small kids and need a shorter outing. You’ll want some sturdy boots for this one as this area is rocky. Expect fairly light traffic.
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Ma-Ha-Tauk and Crosscut Loop
The Ma-Ha-Tauk and Crosscut Loop is a moderate hike in Phoenix’s South Mountain Preserve. With pleasant views and not much traffic, it’s a nice pick in the evenings or for early morning cardio. It can be completed by all skill levels with gentle climbs. This route is used by hikers and horseback riders, so keep an eye out for droppings and remember to give riders the right of way.
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Two Bit and Rattle Saddle Loop
The Two Bit and Rattle Saddle Trail is a moderately challenging hike in the Phoenix’s Mountain Preserve near Piestewa Peak. While you might need to keep an eye on your GPS to help navigate on this one, you’ll be able to enjoy views of Phoenix’s tallest mountains and plenty of the lower hills in the preserve. Expect light traffic.
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Palisade to Basalt Loop
The Palisade to Basalt Loop is a short, easy trail in the Deem Hills Recreation Area. This hike is 2.3 km long and rated as easy. It can easily be done in less than an hour, so pick it if you’re local to the area and you want a before-work hike or evening unwind adventure. Expect light traffic.