Part II of the Sonoran Desert Series
In this article:
The area in and around Phoenix offers plenty of exciting outdoor destinations and activities with an impressive collection of municipal, regional, and state parks located just a short drive from the city center. Most of the parks in the area are situated around the mountains south and east of Phoenix with each of them offering their very own unique character.
South Mountain Park and Preserve
Just south of the city’s suburbs lies South Mountain Park and Preserve - a small mountain range which is easily accessible by car via a well-developed network of roads that lead to numerous viewpoints. One of them is Dobbins Lookout which offers some of the best views of Phoenix as well as the surrounding mountains in the distance. Besides that South Mountain offers also an extensive network of trails leading through a rugged desert landscape that are perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Among all of them, Holbert Trail offers the best route through the park’s rugged terrain, with a steep but incredibly rewarding hike up the mountain all the way to Dobbins Lookout. When I hiked here I was really impressed to see how silent and peaceful parts of this park were despite its close location to the city. The views of the surrounding wilderness against the backdrop of the endless city reaching all the way to the horizon made for a beautifully unique scenery!
Quick facts about South Mountain Park and Preserve:
perfect for: picnics, hiking, biking, enjoying some of the best views of Phoenix
best viewpoints: Dobbins Lookout: easily accessible with parking lot nearby
best routes: Summit Drive: 5.5 miles (one way) out-and-back paved road from entrance station to Dobbins Lookout / Holbert Trail: steep 2.5 miles (one way) out-and-back hiking trail from entrance station to Dobbins Lookout
no fees
park operating hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
services: visitor center & ranger station
more information on visitphoenix.com
Papago Park
Located between Scottsdale and Tempe, and just east of Phoenix, Papago Park is surrounded by a densely populated area on each side. Yet, despite its location and popularity this park offers some quiet spots which are perfect for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city. Due to the large size of Papago Park there are a variety of things that can be done around here. The Desert Botanical Garden informs about the local wildlife and culture and also offers a convenient way to explore all the plants of the Sonoran Desert via a network of short and easy loop trails. Other attractions of Papago Park are Hole in the Rock - a giant sandstone formation offering great views of the surrounding area - and Phoenix Zoo. And last but not least, the West Buttes area offers most of the park’s original and undeveloped desert landscapes which can be explored via a number of hiking and biking trails. Here I enjoyed some of the most pristine and picturesque sunsets in Phoenix. The dark silhouettes of the cacti against the dramatic colors of the evening sky has created an intense atmosphere while I was hiking along the Double Butte Loop. An experience that immediately made me forget that I was still in the middle of a major city!
Quick facts about Papago Park:
perfect for: watching the sunset, short and easy walks, picnics
best viewpoints: Hole in the Rock offers sweeping city views, great during sunset!
best routes: Double Butte Loop: easy 2.5 miles loop hiking trail through a typical Sonoran Desert landscape / Hole in the Rock Trail: easy 0.1 mile (one way) out-and-back hiking trail
no fees for Double Butte Loop & Hole in the Rock Trails
park operating hours: east of Galvin Pkwy. 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. / west of Galvin Pkwy. sunrise to sunset
other attractions: Desert Botanical Gardens ($17) & Phoenix Zoo ($40)
more information on visitphoenix.com
Usery Mountain Regional Park
In the far northeast near the outskirts of the Phoenix metropolitan area lies Usery Mountain Regional Park - one of the area’s true hidden gems! Even though it can be easily reached via the nearby freeways and is situated right next to suburban residential areas, this is one of the less crowded parks within the greater Phoenix area. A paved road leads right into the center of the park which offers campgrounds, playgrounds, restrooms, picnic areas, and an outdoor gym in the middle of a spectacular landscape. Much of the park’s open plains, colorful and dense cactus forests, and steep hills can be explored via a vast network of trails. The park’s numerous viewpoints also offer sweeping views of the surrounding suburban areas and further make for the absolute best spots in Phoenix to watch the sunset.
During my most recent visit in the early January of 2024 I had one of my most memorable experiences when I set out to go for an evening hike through the park. It’s been a rainy day in Phoenix but it looked like the clouds would make way just in time for a spectacular sunset. So I made my way out into the desert and hiked deeper and deeper into the cactus forest. At the farthest point, just before sunset the clouds opened up and the entire landscape around me all of a sudden started glowing in the warm light of the setting sun. The views reached as far as the towering Superstition Mountains out east which were covered by a layer of fresh snow. Above them a massive storm front started to take shape, moving in fast. The combination of all of this created an intense atmosphere unlike anything I had ever seen before - I just stood there in awe. After that I didn’t mind that the storm caught up with me on my way back to the car. This was absolutely worth it! All in all I found Usery Mountain Regional Park to be one of the most beautiful parks around Phoenix - both during the summer as well as the winter!
Quick facts about Usery Mountain Regional Park:
perfect for: hiking, biking, camping, picnics, watching the sunset, wildlife viewing
best viewpoints: Vista Trail: great sunset views / Wind Cave: sweeping city views
best routes: Vista Trail (Top Pick!): easy 0.3 mile (one way) out-and-back trail / Wind Cave Trail: steep 1.5 miles (one way) out-and-back trail / Crismon Wash Trail: easy 1.1 (one way) out-and-back trail through dense cactus forests
fees: US$ 7 per vehicle
park operating hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m (May thru October), 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (November thru April)
services: visitor center & campground
more information on maricopacountyparks.net
Lost Dutchman State Park / Goldfield Ghost Town / Superstition Wilderness
40 miles or 65 km east of the city of Phoenix but just a few minutes from Apache Junction - the easternmost city within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area - lies Lost Dutchman State Park. Beautifully located next to the rugged mountains of the Superstition Wilderness, this small park serves as the gateway to this vast and remote mountain range. Numerous long-distance trails lead up to the steep cliffs and into the wilderness area. Within the park itself there is a dense network of hiking and biking trails that lead through the rolling foothills and offer routes for any type of fitness level. This park offers just about the same amenities as any of the other parks mentioned before, including campgrounds, public restrooms, and picnic areas. What makes it so special are its up close views of the prominent Superstition Mountains. Its close location to the Superstition Wilderness also makes this park a great wildlife viewing spot!
I myself visited this park in the spring of 2022, when I hiked all the way up to the steep cliffs of the mountains on a late afternoon. Here I enjoyed some spectacular far-reaching views along with the park’s impressive desert scenery, with towering saguaros and the nearby mountains glowing dramatically in the light of the setting sun. And within just an hour or so I came across countless jackrabbits, a pack of coyotes, and a rattlesnake that slowly made its way across the trail - an incredible desert adventure! Only a few minutes from the park are further attractions that are well worth a visit. A short drive up the road lies Weaver’s Needle Viewpoint which offers sweeping views of the surrounding rugged backcountry as well as Weaver’s Needle - one of the most iconic landmarks within the Superstition Wilderness. And just across the road from Lost Dutchman State Park Goldfield Ghost Town is a perfectly restored and authentic former mining town from the 1890s set in the middle of a picture-perfect desert landscape - a place that seems straight out of a classic Western!
Quick facts about Lost Dutchman State Park / Superstition Wilderness:
perfect for: hiking, biking, camping, picnics, watching the sunset, wildlife viewing
best viewpoints: Green Boulder viewpoint: far-reaching views of the surrounding landscape / Weaver’s Needle viewpoint: great views of the Superstition Wilderness
best routes: Siphon Draw & Prospector's View Trails: easy 1.6 miles (one way) out-and-back trail to the Green Boulder viewpoint / Treasure Loop Trail: easy 2.5 miles loop trail
fees: US$ 10 per vehicle
day use hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m
services: ranger station, day use areas, campground
more information on azstateparks.com
Quick facts about Goldfield Ghost Town:
perfect for: sightseeing
no fees to get into town (single attractions charge individually)
operating hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (merchants & tours), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (saloon)
more information on goldfieldghosttown.com/
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