Best Hikes in Phoenix for Visitors & Locals Alike!
Ahhh, Phoenix, Arizona. The “Valley of the Sun.” The Sonoran Desert. One of the biggest cities in the United States. An adventure hub. There is so much to this city. I have been living here for 10 YEARS NOW. It has SO MUCH to offer. Whether you’re visiting or you’ve been living here for years, let’s go over some of the BEST HIKES IN PHOENIX.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that benefit me, at no cost to you.
Who Am I? Why Should You Listen to Me?
My name is Danielle, and I have lived in Arizona for 10 years now. I left home in the Midwest to attend ASU. I went to college here, met my husband here, had my first kiss here, rented a combined 6 apartments here, took my first professional job here as a Physician Assistant.
I’ve done all of the hikes below at least 5-10 times. I love this place so much. I’m a desert girlie for life.
Best Hikes in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona is HUGE. Commonly known suburbs include Glendale, Buckeye, Peoria, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and beyond. From the West Valley to the East Valley, you could drive 1.5 hours before covering everything. It’s large population wise and geographically. So many people are moving here!
Let me preface- when I say “Phoenix Hikes,” I don’t always technically mean the actual city of Phoenix. I am referring to the general Phoenix area.
1. Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is THE ICONIC HIKE for out-of-towners. If you’re spending time hiking and staying in Tempe, Phoenix, or Scottsdale, I highly suggest adding this to the list. This hike is located in Scottsdale. There are two trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla. Both are great, but Echo Canyon is the most popular. SAFETY NOTE- do not hike if the max temp is over 80 degrees. Especially if you’re not from here or you are new to hiking. Many people get rescued off of this mountain. Bring the right amount of water. Bring a small first aid kit. Be PREPARED. If I had to chose the best hike in Phoenix, it would be this one!
Hike Details- Echo Canyon Trail
Length: 2.6 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,522 ft
Time: 2 hour
Dog-Friendly: No
Kid-Friendly: No
Hike Details- Cholla Trail
Length: 3.0 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,279 ft
Time: 2 hour
Dog-Friendly: No
Kid-Friendly: No
2. Piestewa Peak
Best hikes in Phoenix? Piestewa Peak is definitely on the list. About 15 minutes north of Downtown you will find Phoenix Mountain Preserve, with Piestewa Peak. It’s like a real-life stair stepper. It’s tough, but short. This is another great hike for out-of-town visitors, but again don’t hike over 80 degrees. Even though I’ve been here for 10 years, I don’t get tired hiking this. The biggest bummer is that it isn’t dog friendly- but many other hikes in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve are, that I will list below.
HIKE RECOMMENDATIONS– Piestewa Peak, Quartz Ridge Trail #8A, 200A Loop, Two Bit Peak Trail, Dreamy Draw, etc.
Hike Details- Piestewa Peak Summit
Length: 2.3 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,151ft
Time: 2 hour
Dog-Friendly: No
Kid-Friendly: No
3. South Mountain
South Mountain Park and Preserve is just south of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport- you will deinitely see it flying in. I would 100% add this to the list of best hikes in Phoenix. At more than 16,000 acres, it’s one of the largest municipal parks in the country. I’ve probably been 10+ times. I love that there’s no fee for parking or hiking, that the trails are dog-friendly, and trails are easy to moderate so they’re good for all ages. Like mountain biking? This park is perfect for you! It’s a very popular mountain biking area as well- just remember to share the trail.
HIKE RECOMMENDATIONS– Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout, South Mountain Summit via Telegraph Pass, Fat Man’s Pass via Mormon Trail, Marcos De Niza Loop.
Hike Details- Fat Man’s Pass via Mormon Loop
Length: 3.7 mi
Elevation Gain: 928 ft
Time: 2 hour
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes, but is steep in the beginning
4. Papago Park
Papago Park is one of the best hikes in Phoenix. It is located only a few minutes north of Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue. This park sits at 1,200 acres in Phoenix and 296 acres in Tempe, Arizona. I lived in an apartment 2 minutes from Papago Park for 3 years, so I walked or hiked there 1-2 times per week for all of those years. Papago Park is one of the MOST ACCESSIBLE hikes in Phoenixn whether you have a wheelchair, stroller, or just walk a little more slowly. If you want to get in a good workout, you can run the 5k trail. If you like to hike, there’s elevation gain. It’s perfect! And beautiful. Don’t miss out.
NOTE- Papago Park is on both sides of Galvin Parkway. Most commonly, people will visit “The Hole in the Rock” trail on the Phoenix Zoo side. It’s one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET SPOTS in the Phoenix Valley. Be aware, it can be very busy at popular hours, like golden hour. Most of the trails are on the opposite side of the road- definitely try those out.
HIKE RECOMMENDATIONS– Hole in the Rock, Double Butte Loop Trail, Big Butte Loop
Hike Details- Double Butte Loop
Length: 2.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 114 ft
Time: 1 hour
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes
5. Tom’s Thumb/ McDowell Mountains
McDowell Mountain Regional Park is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. It has miles and miles of amazing trails. I can’t even begin to name all of them. I highly suggest Tom’s Thumb if you’re new to the area.
HIKE RECOMMENDATIONS– Thompson Peak, Inspiration Trail, Gateway Loop, Tom’s Thumb, Sunrise Peak
6. “A” Mountain/ Hayden Butte Preserve
“A” Mountain is an amazing short hike, a few miles from the Phoenix Airport. It is convienently located in Downtown Tempe. Why is there a big “A” on the mountain? For ASU, of course. At the beginning of each new school year, students march up to paint it. Our rivals, The University of Arizona, try to repaint it blue when they can. I’ve sat on the top of the A so many times during college.
Some people like to say this isn’t a hike, but it IS. It’s steep y’all- it’s a good workout. I love the view from the top, and being able to see the peaks of Camelback, Piestewa, The Superstitions, South Mountain, etc. Watching planes fly over is so fun too. Just be respectful of others and pick up your trash! This is a great hike for families, visitors, and even as a date (it was my first date).
Hike Details- “A” Mountain
Length: 0.7 mi
Elevation Gain: 278 ft
Time: <1 hour
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes
7. Superstition Mountains
The Superstition Mountains are my favorite mountain range in the area. Many people don’t visit them because of the 30 minute drive from central Phoenix, but it is 1000% worth it. If you have more than a few hours, I suggest Weaver’s Needle. If you have just an hour or two, do the Treasure Loop at sunset.
HIKE RECOMMENDATIONS– Weaver’s Needle, Treasure Loop Trail, Massacre Falls, The Wave Cave, Broadway Cave, Flat Iron.
My Superstition Mountain Blog Posts
Hieroglyphic Trail- A Great Post-Rain Hike
Final Thoughts About The Best Hikes in Phoenix
There are so many hikes to do when you’re in Phoenix. You can’t go wrong with any of these. I wish you could experience them all on your visit, but it is IMPOSSIBLE! Here are my thoughts. Camelback and Piestewa are iconic and popular, but can be overcrowded. The Superstition Mountains are ignored and shouldn’t be because they are absolutely incredible. Happy hiking!
