Best Hikes Near Phoenix

Phoenix is one of the only major U.S. cities with rugged mountains rising right out of the neighborhoods, which makes it a genuinely great hiking town. Within a short drive of downtown you can scramble to a summit, walk miles of gentle desert trail, or push into the Superstition Mountains where the legends and the saguaros run thick. The desert is beautiful and accessible, but it is also unforgiving in the heat, so a little knowledge goes a long way. Here is a local guide to the best hikes near Phoenix, organized roughly from the city outward, plus the safety basics every desert hiker needs.

Camelback Mountain: the iconic summit

Camelback Mountain is the most famous hike in the city, and for good reason. The distinctive humped silhouette sits right in the heart of the Valley, and reaching the top earns you one of the best urban-mountain views in the country. There are two routes, and both are serious.

• Echo Canyon Trail: The more popular and more dramatic route, with steep rock scrambling, handrail sections, and a relentless final push. It is short in distance but tough, and it is not a beginner trail.
• Cholla Trail: A slightly longer approach from the other side that some find a touch more gradual at the start, though the upper section is still a demanding scramble.

Camelback is steep, rocky, and exposed with very little shade. Go at first light, carry more water than you think you need, and turn around if it gets hot. For trail conditions and what else is happening outdoors, browse the hiking activities on ZonaHaps and the wider Phoenix events hub.

Piestewa Peak: a central-city classic

Piestewa Peak, in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, is the city's other signature summit hike. It is closer to central Phoenix than Camelback and draws a steady stream of locals getting their morning workout. The summit trail is short but steep, with rock steps most of the way up and a payoff view across the whole metro. There are also gentler trails through the surrounding preserve for those who want the desert without the climb. Like Camelback, it bakes in the afternoon, so morning is the move.

South Mountain: miles of trails for everyone

South Mountain Park and Preserve is one of the largest municipal parks in the country, a huge expanse of Sonoran Desert on the south edge of the city. Unlike the single-summit grind of Camelback, South Mountain offers something for every ability.

• Easy and moderate: Dozens of miles of trails wind through saguaro-studded desert, with plenty of gentle options.
• The scenic drive: A paved road climbs to Dobbins Lookout, a panoramic overlook of Phoenix that is especially good at sunset.
• For the ambitious: Long ridge and traverse routes link different parts of the park for those who want a big day.

South Mountain is a great choice when you want flexibility, you can dial the distance and difficulty up or down depending on the day and the weather.

Lost Dutchman and the Superstition Mountains

About 40 minutes east of the metro, the Superstition Mountains rise abruptly from the desert floor, jagged, dramatic, and steeped in the legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine. Lost Dutchman State Park sits at the base and is the most popular gateway.

• Easy: Loop trails near the park entrance offer big views of the Superstition cliffs with minimal climbing.
• Strenuous: The Siphon Draw trail climbs steeply toward the Flatiron, a tough, rewarding scramble for experienced hikers.

The Superstitions are wilder and more remote than the in-city peaks, so come prepared with a map, plenty of water, and a turnaround plan. This is classic Arizona desert at its most cinematic.

Tom's Thumb in the McDowells

Up in north Scottsdale, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one of the largest urban preserves in the country, and Tom's Thumb is its standout hike. The trail climbs through dramatic granite boulders to a namesake rock formation, with sweeping views over the northeast Valley and a rock-climbing scene on the surrounding crags. It is a moderate-to-strenuous hike with a steady climb, and the boulder-strewn high desert scenery is some of the best in the region. The preserve has many other trailheads too, so it pairs well with a day exploring Scottsdale.

Desert hiking safety: read this part

The single most important thing to understand about hiking near Phoenix is that the desert heat kills people every year, almost always avoidable deaths. The rules are simple but non-negotiable:

• Go early. In the warm months, start at or before sunrise and be off the mountain before mid-morning. Many trails effectively become dangerous by late morning.
• Carry more water than you think you need. A liter per hour in the heat is a reasonable rule of thumb, and there is no water on these trails.
• Know the season. From late spring through early fall, daytime highs routinely exceed 100 degrees. Save the big summit hikes for the cooler months from November through April, or do them at dawn.
• Sun protection. Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses; shade is scarce to nonexistent on most desert trails.
• Watch for wildlife. Rattlesnakes are active in the warmer months; stay on trail and watch where you put your hands and feet.
• Turn around. If you feel dizzy, stop sweating, or run low on water, head down immediately. Pride is not worth a heat emergency.

When to hike near Phoenix

The best hiking season runs from roughly November through April, when even the tough summits are comfortable. In summer, stick to dawn starts and constant hydration, or head to the cooler high country up north. The monsoon storms of July and August add their own hazards, lightning on exposed ridges and flash floods in desert washes, so check the forecast.

Plan your Phoenix hiking day

From the iconic grind up Camelback to the wild cliffs of the Superstitions, the trails around Phoenix offer something for every kind of hiker. Just respect the heat, start early, and carry water. To see guided hikes, outdoor events, and what else is happening while you are in town, start with the hiking activities page and browse the Phoenix hub for everything else on your dates.