Hikes in Tonto National Forest

Water Wheel Falls is a hike in the Tonto National Forest near Payson that has become increasingly popular because of its excellent swimming opportunities. The trail was named for an old water wheel you can see from the trailhead, and the route follows the East Verde River to a gorge used by cliff jumpers and a short waterfall into a swimming hole.

There are lots of points along this route where you can take a swim, but the swimming hole at the confluence of the two creeks is the best spot. This easy hike might not be well-marked, but it’s an exceptionally fun adventure for families or for any hiker on a hot Arizona day. Small children might need a hand on some of the rockier parts of the trail

You probably didn’t think you could surf in Arizona, did you? The Wave Cave is a unique cave where a “wave” of rock protrudes out into the cave opening. It’s one of the many fascinating rock formations and caves that make Arizona’s landscape so fun to explore. The hike to the cave is moderate, with a few short, steep sections. Most hikers will be able to complete this trail.

If you want the perfect photo op in the cave, try hiking early in the morning before the route gets busy. You’ll also want to bring plenty of water and prepare for the heat of the desert, perhaps avoiding hiking from June through September altogether if you’re not used to the temperatures in this part of the world.

When the temperatures start to soar, you need a chilled-out afternoon in a refreshing swimming hole. The Box Canyon Trail is a quick 1.3 km hike that leads you down into a box canyon with a swimming hole in it. The red granite walls are gorgeous and the water feels perfect when the sun is shining.

This route is good for families, with only a bit of steep climbing needed to get down into the canyon. Additionally, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem that doesn’t see much traffic. You might just get the place to yourself, which is always a plus.

Note that the parking area and trailhead for this hike can both be tough to find. Bring a GPS track or a map with you to help you find your way.

The Verde Hot Springs hike takes you along an easy trail to a hot spring at an abandoned resort. Perched along the Verde River, the pools were constructed in the 1920s when this area was a tourist attraction. A fire in the 1960s destroyed the resort, but the foundation and pools survived. Abandoned ever since, the pools are open for public use and offer a unique spot to get a soak in.

The hike to the hot spring is quite easy. It’s about two and a half miles long with only about 61 m of elevation gain. There are concrete steps that lead down to the springs in the final few feet of the route. Hikers of all skill levels will be able to complete it. You will need a high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead, though.

The Treasure Trail and Siphon Draw Loop is a 4.8 km hike in Tonto National Forest with amazing desert scenery. This route takes you through a dramatic basin lined by low granite mountains, and you can also use this route to climb The Flatiron. Even if you want to stay on the easier paths, this is a hike with incredible scenery. It offers a lot without being too difficult or demanding.

There are lots of trails in this area aside from this loop, so we recommend consulting a map if you’re unfamiliar with the network of routes to avoid getting lost. The good thing is that hikers who want to extend their adventures can make use of these trails to keep hiking.

Horton Creek Trail is a 13.8 km route in the Tonto National Forest that sees heavy traffic. This is a popular hike with everyone from families to solo hikers to those with dogs. The trail follows along Horton Creek, taking you past waterfalls, small pools, and through trees.

This is a very relaxing hike, and despite the elevation gain and distance, it feels fairly gradual until a bigger climb at the end of the trail, which can be skipped in favor of an easier trip. The atmosphere is so serene and the natural beauty so apparent that you won’t notice how far you’re hiking or how you’re climbing.

We like this route on warm days when you can dip your feet in the creek to cool off. This is also a fun hike for those with dogs who love water.

Butcher Jones Trail leads you through the Sonoran Desert to the shores of Saguaro Lake and the Salt River. This is an absolute oasis in the middle of the desert and an excellent place to spot wildlife like bighorn sheep, javelinas, and bald eagles. If you’re exceptionally lucky, you could even spot the wild horses of the Lower Salt River while travelling through the area. The hike is moderately difficult, with some narrow, rocky sections of trail and occasional overgrowth. It’s mostly downhill for the first half of the hike, and then you’ll be gaining moderate elevation on the way back.

There is a beach and picnic area near the trailhead, so consider bringing along your picnic blankets and some bathing suits to cool off after your hike. Speaking of cooling off, this area can get incredibly hot in the summer months. We don’t recommend this hike between June and August, and you should be sure to bring lots of sunscreen, water, and protective clothing if you’re hiking between March and November.

Bob Bear Trail (formerly known as Fossil Springs Trail, not to be confused with Fossil Creek) is one of the most popular day hikes in the Tonto National Forest. This trail leads you along a canyonside route with amazing views of the Verde Valley, down through a treed-in trek, and to Fossil Springs. These springs flow over a short waterfall into a swimming hole. It’s a beautiful site that’s ideal on hot, sunny days.

While this is a must-do hike, we don’t recommend bringing dogs or children. This route is very exposed to the hot sun and it is somewhat strenuous. Dehydration and heat stroke are risks on this hike. Bring plenty of water! Additionally, this is a permit-only site. You’ll need to purchase your permit ahead of time; there are no permits given at the site.

Picketpost Mountain Trail is a 6.8 km out and back hike that leads you up a dramatic, isolated butte in the Tonto National Forest. Previously used as a battleground in efforts by Geroge Stoneman to seize this land from the Yavapai, the butte is now an area for campers and hikers to appreciate Arizona’s rugged scenery. At the top, make sure you bring a little note to place in the mailbox. You can also read the notes from previous hikers.

This trail is rated as hard and isn’t the best choice for families or beginners. There’s lots of elevation to be gained for a relatively short hike, and you’ll be out in the sun for the entire route. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen and a hat, and avoid hiking this trail between June and August when the temperatures soar.

The Ellison Creek Cascades are waterfalls in the Tonto National Forest near Payson that have become increasingly popular because of their great natural swimming opportunities. While the waterfalls are commonly called the Ellison Creek Cascades, you’ll be taking Water Wheel Trail to them. The trail was named for an old water wheel you can see from the trailhead, and the route follows the East Verde River to a gorge used by cliff jumpers and a short waterfall into a swimming hole.

There are lots of points along this route where you can take a swim, but the swimming hole at the confluence of the two creeks is the prime place to get in the water. This easy hike might not be well-marked, but it’s an exceptionally fun adventure for families or for any hiker on a hot Arizona day. Small children might need a hand on some of the rockier parts of the trail.

The Bulldog Saddle and Pass Mountain Trail Loop is a fun hike that starts right from the city limits of Apache Junction, Arizona. The hike takes you all the way around Peak 3004 and beside Pass Mountain. The views are awesome and the hike will get your legs working without being overly strenuous. This is a good pick if you want to feel like you’re in the mountains without having to actually climb one.

This hike isn’t very well-signed, so we recommend bringing a downloaded GPS track to help you find your way. Additionally, as with all hikes in Central Arizona, the temperatures on this trail can soar. We suggest trying this hike outside of the extremely hot summer months (June-August) and bringing more water than you think you’ll need at all times of the year. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended.

The Treasure Loop Trail leads you through an area once defined by Arizona’s gold rush. While its storied boom and bust past is fascinating, it draws hikers for its natural beauty above all else. With the Superstition Mountains spread before you on this route, you’ll be able to appreciate Arizona’s desert scenery as it climbs towards the base of the mountains ahead.

This route is family-friendly and dog-friendly (leashed). It can get very hot out here, so take advantage of the fountains at the trailhead and fill up your bottles before setting out. Remember to bring water for pets, slather on some sunscreen, and get a hat on your head to protect yourself from the hot sun.

The Hawes Trail System is a well-developed mountain biking and hiking route collection near the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. This loop makes use of several trails in the system to put together a hike with awesome desert and river scenery. You can even check out an old mine shaft from the region’s past mining days.

This trail system is mostly used by mountain bikers, so you’ll need to share the trail. Bring more water than you think you’ll need and avoid this trail in the summertime or heat of the day; some users report struggling with heat exhaustion. You can make this hike your own by using the connecting routes to shorten or lengthen it as you please.

Blue Wash Trail is a scenic 4.5 km hike in the Tonto National Forest north of Phoenix. This route leads you through a wash to Camp Creek Falls. With rugged canyon scenery, a few viewpoints, and the flowing water to follow as you near the falls (depending on the time of year), this is an enjoyable hike for all skill levels. This trail is also popular with horseback riders, so remember to share the route.

We like this hike best when there’s been recent rain, but definitely wait until the rain has passed to hike it. There would be flash flooding danger on this trail during a monsoon. Wildlife like rattlesnakes have been spotted on this hike, so enjoy the critters you see from a safe distance.

Lone Mountain, also known as EJ Peak by locals, is a 853 m mountain in the Usery Range just outside of Phoenix. The trail up the mountain and back is only 3.7 km roundtrip, making this one of the easier summits you can bag. From the top, enjoy a fantastic view of Pass Mountain, Brown’s Peaks, McDowell Peak, and the rest of the Goldfield and Usery Mountains in the distance.

While the route is short, it’s fairly steep. Small kids might struggle with this one, but active older children should have no problem. Since this hike is out in the sun for the entirety of the trail, you’ll definitely want sunscreen, a hat, and lots of water. We recommend leaving this trail for the fall, winter, and early spring to avoid the worst of the heat.

The Horton Creek, Highline, and Derick Loop makes use of three lovely trails to create one moderate adventure. This hike is 15.3 km long, but the elevation gain is well spread-out. You can also use the Upper Tonto Creek camping area to make this a backpacking trip if you’d prefer.

Horton Creek runs through part of this trail, offering an unexpectedly lush experience. There are lots of spots where you can dip your feet to cool off and take a breather. Dogs who like the water will definitely love this stretch of the route. We do recommend exercising caution in this area if there’s a monsoon in the forecast, as we advise with all hikes near a water source in this part of Arizona. Flash flooding can occur.

Want to check out two of the coolest rock formations in the Tonto National Forest in one hike? The Praying Hands to Slot Rock hike is an awesome trek that shows off just how otherworldly the scenery of the Arizona desert can be. You’ll start at Praying Hands, a rock formation that--you guessed it--looks just like praying hands. You’ll then hike to Slot Rock, another neat formation with natural windows and narrow slots.

This hike is moderately difficult. Most skill levels will be capable of completing it. As with most hikes in the Phoenix area, you won’t want to attempt this adventure in the scorching summer months. Bring lots of water and slap on some sunscreen before heading out on the trail.

As the legends of the Superstition Wilderness say, a rich Mexican family came to this area to mine gold in the 1840s. Cornered and killed by the Apache, Massacre Falls and Massacre Falls Trail got their names from this bloody past. Don’t let the moniker deter you, though. This is a great hike with lots of pleasant scenery and not as much violence these days.

Massacre Falls are seasonal, so you’ll want to plan to visit when there’s been some recent rain. Generally, a hike in the monsoon season is best as long as you avoid the monsoon itself and prepare for the associated heat. You can also visit when snowmelt in the mountains is running off.

The Hawes Trail System is a well-planned and maintained mountain biking and hiking route network near the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest of Arizona. The Hawes Ridge Loop combines several trails in the system into one hike with epic desert and river scenery.

This trail system is mostly used by mountain bikers, so you’ll need to share it. Additionally, bring more water than you think you’ll need and avoid this trail in the summertime or heat of the day; some users report struggling with heat exhaustion. You can make this hike your own by using the connecting routes to shorten or lengthen it as you please. If you want a longer loop in the same area, try the Hawes Trail System Loop.

The Flatiron via Siphon Draw Loop is a 8.9 km hike in Tonto National Forest that takes you to a high viewpoint over the surrounding mountains and desert. This route takes you through a dramatic basin lined by low granite mountains and up The Flatiron. It’s a hard hike considering the elevation gain at the end, but it’s a good way to nab views on a hike that’s not too long. You will need to be comfortable with some hands-on climbing in parts.

There are many trails in this area that allow you to keep exploring if you want a longer adventure. Make sure you bring lots of water on this hike, wear sturdy boots, and avoid visiting in the hot summer months. While dogs are allowed on this hike, we don’t recommend trying to bring them.