Trails and Mountains

The Phoenix metropolitan area has over 42,000 acres of parks and mountain preserves. Those parks and preserves consist of over 300+ miles of trails. The interconnecting trail systems throughout the city (and state!) also allows for creating a nearly endless array of unique and interesting routes to run and hike.

Below, you will find information and links to the various parks, mountains, preserves, forests and infamous trails in and around the greater Phoenix area. This list is an evolving resource that will continue to improve over time.

Table of Contents

Mountains and Preserves

Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Located on the southwest side of Phoenix, the Estrella Mountain Regional Park consists of over 20,000 acres of desert, mountains an...believe it or not...wetland. With that kind of variety, the 33+ miles of trails make for an awesome hiking and running experience.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 EM on AllTrails EM on Hiking Project
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Located on the northeast outskirts of Phoenix, this 21,000-acre park contains more than 50 miles of trails for with levels of difficulty (including a competitive track made for blazing trail runs). Not to be confused with McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the McDowell Mountain is just north of the town of Fountain Hills and the Fort McDowell community.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 MCDM on AllTrails MCDM on Hiking Project MCDM on GAIA GPS
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Located to the northeast of Scottsdale, and west of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park, this 30,500 acre preserve is cholk-full of awesomeness. Open from sunrise to sunset, with free parking at several trailheads, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve consists of more than 225 miles of enjoyable trails!
 MSP on AllTrails MSP on GAIA GPS
Peoria Regional Preserve
This reserve, also known as the Paloma Regional Preserve, is located in the northwest corner of the Phoenix area. It consists of several mountains with a number of great trails suitable for running, hiking and biking: Calderwood Butte, Eastwing Mountain, West Wing Mountain and Sunrise Mountain.
 PRP on AllTrails PRP on Hiking Project PRP on Trail Forks
Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Located in the heart of Phoenix, this preserve consists of several popular mountain peaks like Dreamy Draw, Camelback Mountain, North Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Piestewa Peak, Shadow Mountain and Shaw Butte. Within these ranges are more than 23,000 acres of desert with a plethora of interconnecting trails of all varieties.
 PMP on AllTrails PMP on Hiking Project PMP on GAIA GPS
Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve
Located in North Phoenix just north of AZ 101 and just east of the I-17, the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve consists of almost 10,000 acres and over 36 miles of trails that are excellent for hikers and runners. The trails can be accessed at three trailhead locations: Desert Vista, Desert Hills and Apache Wash. A few of the most popular trails in this preserve are loops: Dixie Mountain Loop and the Sonoran Desert Loop.
 PSDP on AllTrails PSDP on Hiking Project
San Tan Mountain
Located in the very southeast corner of the greater Phoenix metro area, just south of Queen Creek, the San Tan Mountain park consists of over 10,000 acres of Sonoran Desert and features some fantastic trails for hiking and running. One of the more popular trails in this area is known as the Goldmine Trail.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 STM on AllTrails STM on Hiking Project STM on Trail Forks
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
The Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is the newest addition to Maricopa County's Regional Parks System. The area, located just north of Phoenix, encompasses over 2,100 acres of diverse, rugged upper Sonoran Desert and "contains fascinating archaeology sites and lush riparian areas along Cave Creek". Remnants of the Arizona's mining and ranching operations are still apparent throughout the park, along with abundant and diverse vegetation and wildlife.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 SC on AllTrails SC on GAIA GPS
South Mountain Preserve
Considered one of the largest recreational playgrounds in the world, at more than 16,000 acres South Mountain Park/Preserve contains a treasure-trove of hiking and running opportunities for humans of all varieties. Located on the south side of Phoenix, South Mountain "is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation." Many of the trailheads are located not far from the main freeways (10, 60, 101, 202) and/or residential areas. This mountainous park consists of three mountain ranges - the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe -- all of which have trails weaving up and down, in and out. With well over 60 miles worth of trails/routes, ranging from shot-distance nature walks to the almost 15 mile National Trail, South Mountain is a hiker's and trail runner's delight.
 SM on AllTrails SM on Hiking Project SM on GAIA GPS
Usery Mountain
Located north of Mesa, Usery Mountain Regional Park is almost 4,000 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape and offers over 32 miles of trails for hiking, running, biking and horseback riding (if that's your thing). It's also located near Tonto National Forest, and offers amazing views of the Superstition Mountains. Its 22 designated trailheads make it a highly accessible place for exploring. Perhaps one of the most popular trails on the Usery range, and one this site highly recommends, is Pass Mountain.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 UM on AllTrails UM on Hiking Project UM on GAIA GPS
White Tank Mountains
Located to the west of Phoenix and north of Buckeye in a town called Waddell, the White Tanks comprise almost 30,000 acres of desert landscape with almost 40 miles of trails, including a mountain bike competition track.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 WT on AllTrails WT on Hiking Project WT on GAIA GPS

Popular Parks

Deem Hill
Located in North Phoenix just off the I17, Deem Hills is made up of 1,000 acres of Sonoran Desert and is "known for it's unique basalt volcanic rock formations." With several trail routes, Deem is perfect for casual runs and hikes.
 DH on AllTrails DH on Hiking Project
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Located roughly an hour north of Phoenix, the 23,000 acres of water and desert known as Lake Pleasant reservoir features over 100 miles of shoreline and includes a number of great trails with picturesque views.

There is a $10.00 fee per fee to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. Maricopa County Parks Pass.

 LP on AllTrails LP on Hiking Project LP on Trail Forks
Lost Dutchman State Park
This a 320-acre state park is located to the East of Phoenix and north of Apache Junction and is part of the Apache Trail. Named after the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, this park features several hiking trails, including on of the most popular -- and difficult -- trails in the valley, Flatiron.

There is a $10.00 fee per vehicle for day-use visitors, payable in cash only.

 LD on AllTrails LD on Hiking Project
Papago Park
Perhaps the most well-known park in the Phoenix area, Papago Park offers easily accessible trails for running, hiking and causual walks with the family. Papago Park is also home two of the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden, with trails winding throughout.
 PP on AllTrails PP on Hiking Project
Peralta Regional Park
Located to the East of Phoenix, beyond Queen Creek, the Peralta Regional Park is one of the newer parks in the region. It consists of about 500 acres of desert backcountry at the base of the Superstition Mountains, with several miles of trails that are great for hiking and running.

There is a $7.00 fee per vehicle for day-use visitors. You can purchase your pass online in advance (see link), or pay onsite. Day Use Pass

 PRP on AllTrails PRP on Trail Forks
Thunderbird Conservation Park
Located in the northwest corner of the Phoenix metro area, just off the SR 101 in north Glendale, Thunderbird Conservation Park (TCP) offers about 15 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and running. This 1,185-acre park is "dedicated to preserving the desert environment," and is open from sunrise to sunset on a daily basis. The trails at TCP can be crowded during peak hours, so make sure to adhere to etiquette while enjoying the park.
 TCP on AllTrails TCP on Hiking Project TCP on Trail Forks
Cave Creek Regional Park
Located north of Phoenix, this 2,922-acre park sits in the upper Sonoran Desert and ranges in elevation from 2,000 feet to 3,060 feet. This park provides any hiker and runner majestic views. The Go John Trail loops around a mountain to provide the illusion of being miles away from civilization.

 CCRP on AllTrails CCRP on Trail Forks