Phoenix is a great hub for some of the best hikes in Arizona. There are also many great hikes right in the city. Keep reading to see the 10 best hikes in Phoenix!
Why Hike in Phoenix
Arizona is home to some of the most famous hiking destinations in the U.S. Places like the Grand Canyon and Sedona usually steal the spotlight, but there are actually a lot of cool hikes right in the Phoenix area. When people ask me for the best hikes in Phoenix, I usually think about hikes that are less than 1.5-2 hours drive away.
The best part of hiking in Phoenix is that you can find a lot of dog-friendly hikes (weather permitting), great facilities at the Phoenix trailheads, and a variety of trails. Keep reading to find more about the best hikes in Phoenix.
Best Time to Hike in Phoenix
It’s not a surprise that summer in Phoenix gets very hot. Because of this, I recommend visiting Phoenix in the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring.
Summer
Summer in Phoenix is pretty rough for hiking. The weather is hot, and you can run into sporadic thunderstorms in the summer monsoon which can be quite dangerous. On average, summers in Phoenix reach around 104 degrees. In my opinion, that is way too hot to be hiking in the middle of the day.
If you do want to go hiking in the summer, start hiking at or before sunrise and try to end before 10AM!
I personally do not enjoy hiking late in the evenings in the summer because the ground will still be very hot from the night before.
Fall
There isn’t a ton of fall foliage in the immediate vicinity of Phoenix, but the weather is much nicer!
Once September wraps up, the weather in Phoenix is much more tolerable and even enjoyable for hiking. October’s average temperatures fall to an average of 90 degrees which opens up much more of the late mornings and early evenings for hiking. In November, the average temperature dips another 15 degrees to the mid-70s.
Winter
Winter is the best season for hiking in Phoenix because of the cooler temps and higher water flow. There really is no bad time to go hiking from December to March.
Spring
Spring hiking in Phoenix is very similar to the Fall. The early season is great because the weather stays pretty moderate. But once you get to May, the temperatures could easily get too hot for hiking midday. In my opinion some of the best hiking in Phoenix is during early Spring!
Pst.. are you looking for more adventures in Arizona? Check out some of our other adventures:
What Should I Wear Hiking in Phoenix
Hiking Boots / Shoes
Having the right shoes is super important. Whether you like lighter shoes like I do or a sturdier hiking boot, Hoka One One and Salomon are my go-to products. For most of the best hikes in Phoenix, shoes with a solid grip will be important because there is a lot of loose rock.
Sun Protection
Sun protection is super important out in Phoenix. The sun is very strong even in the winter. To enjoy the best hikes in Phoenix, you absolutely need to think about sun protection.
Water Storage
I personally prefer using an MSR Drom Bag because I’m fairly lazy to take water bottles out of my bag, but both options are great. Make sure to bring plenty of water on Phoenix hikes.
In the summer, I will bring around 1L per hour of hiking. In the winter, I will lessen that to around 0.5L per hour of hiking.
Summer Hiking Clothing
In the heat like Phoenix, I will spend a little more to optimize for sweat-wicking and lightweight material t-shirts. Cotton is actually horrible at this so avoid cotton at all costs! (this applies in the winter too). And then I love to wear shorts. I personally don’t enjoy yoga pants or hiking pants when it is too hot outside but I know many friends who do!
Gear for your Dog
Finally don’t forget to keep your dog safe. A lot of Phoenix hiking trails are dog friendly which is amazing 🙂 Bring plenty of water for them and put dog boots on for their paws in the summer if you hike with them later in the mornings.
10 Of the Best Hikes in Phoenix
Now that we’ve gone over when to hike in Phoenix and the right hiking gear to have, let’s talk about the best hikes in Phoenix! There are a ton of good options, from dog-friendly hikes to short evening strolls, and even longer adventures.
1. Papago Park
Why you should hike it: Small park with good access to easy hikes for the whole family
Total Length: 2 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: Papago Park is the perfect place for a short hike after work. It gets very popular around sunset!
Distance from Scottsdale: 10 minutes
AllTrails Link
Papago Park is one of the best hikes in Phoenix because it’s likely one of the areas you will keep visiting over and over again. We come here at least once a week to walk the dogs and always see a lot of families and younger teenagers here.
The park is very well maintained and it is an easy hike in that I usually go in my Tevas – but it also has some nice scenery with the red rocks.
2. Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail
Why you should hike it: Cool views of the city in the most popular Camelback Mountain area
Total Length: 2.5 miles
Dog Friendly: No
Hiking Tips: Going up the rocks and railing can be very dangerous if you do not have proper shoes. Take caution!
Distance from Scottsdale: 10 miles
AllTrails Link
Camelback Mountain can be seen from all views of Scottsdale. Because of its proximity to popular hotels, it is a very popular hike and definitely one of the best hikes in Phoenix.
However, when I went on this hike, I saw a lot of stranded / under-prepared hikers. Please take caution when you are hiking here. The rocks can be very slippery (I saw tourists try this in flip flops!!) and it can be very hot because there is virtually zero shade.
I personally thought the rock climbing was super fun and made for a good adventure. But it is important to have the right gear to enjoy.
3. Quartz Ridge Trail (#8A)
Why you should hike it: Great introduction to Phoenix desert hikes with rocky terrain and cacti
Total Length: 3.2 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: Head out early on the weekends, the parking lot fills up fast
Distance from Scottsdale: 15 minutes
AllTrails Link
The Quartz Ridge Trail is part of a wider network of trails in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. This is a great hike for getting a little bit of everything when it comes to Phoenix terrain. There is some elevation, rocky terrain, lots of cacti, and good views at the top. If you are lucky (or unlucky), you could also run into a rattlesnake.
Overall this is one of the best hikes in Phoenix because it feels like a real hike but it’s also very close to the city.
4. Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300
Why you should hike it: Short but tough scramble
Total Length: 2 miles
Dog Friendly: No
Hiking Tips: One of the greatest spots for sunset! Be careful when hiking back down in the dark
Distance from Scottsdale: 20 minutes
AllTrails Link
One of the best hikes in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. It is a short, tough scramble to the top but in less than an hour you will be able to enjoy the sunset! You will be rewarded with sweeping views of the city
5. Mormon Trail – South Mountain Preserve
Why you should hike it: Short out-and-back trail with good elevation
Total Length: 2.4 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: One of the shorter hikes in the South Mountain Preserve.
Distance from Scottsdale: 25 minutes
All Trails Link
The South Mountain Preserve is one of the largest parks in Phoenix. If you are looking for something close to the city, there are some of the best hikes in Phoenix here.
I like approaching from Mormon Trailhead where you can head up to the Acer Summit and get sweeping views of the city below. This is a quick and easy hike that I love doing before lunch.
6. Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout – South Mountain Preserve
Why you should hike it: A longer option in the South Mountain Preserve with a great lookout
Total Length: 4 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: Great if you are looking for a longer hike in the South Mountain Preserve
Distance from Scottsdale: 25 minutes
All Trails Link
The Holbert Trailhead is located 10 minutes west of the Mormon Trailhead. If you are looking for a longer hike, this is a great alternative in the South Mountain Preserve.
There is a small stone fixture at the lookout point and is a great place to have a quick snack before heading back down. This is also popular for sunset although your hike back in the dark may be a little trickier.
7. Gateway Loop Trail
Why you should hike it: Great loop hike with views of the Sonoran desert
Total Length: 4.4 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: Very little shade and super hot in the summer. Start early!
Distance from Scottsdale: 25 minutes
AllTrails Link
The Gateway Loop Trail is one of the best hikes in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It is a perfect loop hike which means you won’t be repeating any trails!
It is a typical Sonoran desert hike with views of cacti, rocky terrain, and very little shade. If you are lucky, you will run into a desert tortoise or a snake!
8. Tom’s Thumb
Why you should hike it: Medium-sized hike to a cool view of a rock formation that looks like a thumb
Total Length: 4 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: The restroom and water facilities here are excellent
Distance from Scottsdale: 40 minutes
AllTrails Link
Tom’s Thumb is my go-to option for a half-day hike in Phoenix. This is one of the best hikes in Phoenix if you don’t mind driving 30+ minutes out (depending on where you live).
The trail is a little more varied than other hikes closer to the city center. You also get around 1,300 ft of elevation gain so it feels like a harder hike physically. Lastly, the view of the thumb is a cool way to end your hike!
9. Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon Trail
Why you should hike it: One of the best hikes in the Superstition Wilderness with gorgeous views of the valley
Total Length: 4.6 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: Start early in the day, even in the winter. There is very little shade
Distance from Scottsdale: 1 hour
All Trails Link
The Superstition Wilderness is beautiful and has some of the best hikes in Phoenix. There is more elevation here which means there will be more varied landscape than if you were in the city center of Phoenix. Fremont Saddle is one of the most popular hikes in the Superstition Wilderness because it’s under 5 miles and you get nice views of Weaver’s Needle.
10. Black Canyon Trail
Why you should hike it: Remote hike that takes you to the Agua Fria River to cool off
Total Length: 3 miles
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hiking Tips: The water levels are best in Winter and Spring
Distance from Scottsdale: 1.5 hours
All Trails Link
The trailhead starts at the Black Canyon Bike Trail. From there, you will want to follow the trail south to the Agua Fria River. It is relatively straightforward and all downhill to the river. There is virtually zero shade so make sure you pack good clothing and sun protection!
This is one of the best hikes in Phoenix when the water is running and it is hot outside. You can make this a longer day trip while you are in the area by heading to the Montezuma Castle National Monument.
What Should I do After Hiking In Phoenix?
There is so much to do in the Phoenix Area. Now that you’ve read the best hikes in Phoenix, check out some other fun activities to do.
Spend a Day in Scottsdale
Spend a day in Scottsdale and enjoy any of the scenic restaurants like Hula’s Modern Tiki, Diego Pops, and The Henry.
Afterward, have a spa day. Some of my favorite luxury spas are the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the Phoenecian Scottsdale.
Go to a Suns or Cardinals Game
I love the Phoenix sports scene! From September to January, the Cardinals are a super fun team to watch. If basketball is more your scene, catch Devin Booker and the Suns downtown from late October to May.
Check out Spring Training
Keeping up with the sports theme, Spring Training is a ton of fun. It is less about the baseball but more about the energy and vibe. Many ballparks will let you sit on the grass where you can hang out for the afternoon.
The Scottsdale Ballpark is one of the most energetic because of its proximity to downtown, but I also enjoyed Talking Stick.
Eat Asian Food in Mesa
Some of the best Asian food is in Mesa. From Korean BBQ to legit Chinese food, Mesa has it all. They even recently got an HMart if you want to stock up on Asian groceries during your stay!
Bike along the Scottsdale Bike Path
The Scottsdale Bike Path is a paved, dedicated bike path that runs north to south through Scottsdale. It passes through a ton of parks and is a great activity for the entire family.
Have you visited Any of the best hikes in Phoenix before? What did you think?
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