South Mountain Park and Preserve

Vijay Thakkar 4 months ago

Spending time at South Mountain Park and Preserve is a 10/10 experience for anyone who wants to see the "real" Sonoran Desert without leaving the city limits. At over 16,000 acres, it’s absolutely massive, one of the largest municipal parks in the country and it offers a much more rugged and natural vibe compared to the more manicured trails at Piestewa or Camelback. I started my visit at the South Mountain Visitor Center, which recently underwent great renovations, before driving the winding Summit Road up to Dobbins Lookout. The 360-degree panoramic views from the stone ramada at 2,330 feet are unbeatable, especially at sunset when the Phoenix skyline starts to glow against the desert backdrop. What I love most about this park is the sheer variety of ways to experience it. If you’re not in the mood for a strenuous climb, you can stick to the paved roads for a scenic drive or enjoy the Judith Tunnell Accessible Trail. For a more immersive hike, the Mormon Trail to Fat Man's Pass is a personal favorite; it's a bit of a workout, but navigating the narrow rock squeeze and seeing the ancient Hohokam petroglyphs makes it feel like a true adventure. A big "pro tip": if you visit on the fourth Sunday of the month, they host Silent Sunday, where the main roadways are closed to cars, turning the entire park into a peaceful haven for hikers and cyclists. Whether you're there for a quick photo op or a six-mile trek, it’s a beautiful, free resource that perfectly captures the spirit of Arizona.

Luis Luna 2 months ago

If you want to enjoy a beautiful view of the valley and the great city of Phoenix and surrounding areas, if you want to hike and explore the many trails, or bring a picnic, buy some food and bring it up with you. This is a beautiful park to do so. Remember to clean after yourself and keep the park enjoyable for everyone You won’t be disappointed

holly nagel 9 months ago

Beautiful mountain drive with many places to stop and hike! Picturesque views of Phoenix and the surrounding suburbs! Plenty of picnic spots and a very informative visitor center. There is also horse tours available close by. Totally worth the drive and completely FREE!

Arizona Life 6 months ago

Lots of easy to navigate trails. Good variety of terrain and relatively crowd free. If you can't squeeze into the Mormon Trail parking lot, I highly recommend this as an alternate. Only about 3 miles away as the crow flies. 🙂

RICK RRTEXAS 3 months ago

Nice drive up to top, Great vistas from the top. I recomment to all whoo visit Pheonix to go see the Valley from the top, its a beautiful scene.