Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Went on the south side. It was more flat, but at 100 degrees, I didn’t really want to do climbing. Trail was clean and scenery was beautiful. Made me stop and just be. Very relaxing.
Definitely bring a lot of water, stay on the trail and please please take your trash with you.

Great trail system! The North side has lots of flat mountain bike trails. The 32^nd street railhead has 4 parking spots. I would recommend going to the Dreamy Draw trailhead where there is a lot of parking. Dreamt Draw is on the east side. These trails are far prettier than the north side but steeper and rockier, so a bit harder to bike. Views are great from the top of the different hills. Trails are well marked.

Love it here. So many different trails of varying length and difficulty. Got lots of parking spaces too. I’ve never ran into issues with parking although the summit trail gets quite busy sometimes.
The park is open from early morning till 11pm. The gates to come into the park closes at 7pm however.
Many of the trails also got nice views of either the mountains orthe city. And it’s beautiful during sunset and nights to be up on top of the summit trail.
You will need plenty of water especially in the summer and bring flashlights for evening/​night hikes.
Dogs are welcome other than the summit trail.
Have fun! Enjoy and be safe!

The hills and mountains of Phoenix makes this one of the most interesting cities in America and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve adds to the experience!
There are very few cities where you can go for a full-​day hike, climb some spectacular rock formations, see a variety of wildlife, enjoy many different species of cactus and then, after a quick shower, immerse yourself in the many food and night-​life offerings that Phoenix provides.
On the south side of this preserve you can choose a non-​strenuous walk along a well-​used path or a fun-​filled climb to the top of Piestawa Peak (if you like crowds) or take the 8A to the 202 for a strenuous climb (with almost no people) to a spectacular view of the whole Phoenix valley.
The trails on the north side of the preserve (but still to the east of the 51) tend to be flatter so you may run into more mountain bikers or horses.
If you decide to enter the preserve from the east side on Tatum, note that there are only five parking slots. A better choice for the east side would be the large parking lot on 40^th.
There are so many choices. Just remember where you parked your car!

Preserves are great. You can keep them forever, put them on toast, and pair them well with peanut butter.
This is not that type of preserve, but I would still eat toast on it, pair it with peanut butter, and I hope it lasts forever.
I don’t know how many miles of trails are in the preserve, but there have to be thousands. The Piestawa summit is by far the most popular, but there are many better hikes to be had. My recent favorite in the 8B to the 202 to the 200 to the 303 loop. 5.1 miles of unparalleled views in near solitude. It doesn’t get much better.
PMP is a testament to excellent urban planning. Well played, Phoenix.
Pros: a vast, untouched wilderness preserve
Cons: sometimes parking is a little sparse

I LOVE Phoenix Mountain Preserve! As I was on one of the trails just prior to Christmas, the hubby and I were trying to name any other city that would give us this same experience right now (meaning a hike like this with glorious weather), and we couldn’t come up with one. In the summer, however, we could name a few trails in Alaska, but sometimes even those are deluged with rain.
Parking might be an issue. I know that some people will park down in the strip mall parking, but we’ve been lucky at the parking lot near 32^nd and Lincoln. So, take a moment and check that lot first, depending, of course, on the trail you plan to take.
I have met very few people while on the trails except for Christmas Day, but even that day wasn’t anything like Camelback.
Although I might be giving away a secret, the views from the top of 202 are better plus there isn’t anyone else at the top except your own party.

Very easy hike, I was so glad to be out in the desert expriencing mother nature. This is also a favorite spot for trail runners in the area. I was excited to see a road runner on this trail.

So many ways to find a good hike here. If I only have a little bit of time there are satisfying hikes, like the Mohave Trail. On days when I have more time, I can use a variety of connections and never get bored. Please bring water even in the cooler weather. Expect to get dirty. So many other great views and trails to choose from if you don’t want to brave the summit trail.

Great hiking. It’s good because every man and their dog are not on most of the trails. Peaceful and so much to explore!

Finally doing a review of my home away from home (At least when it’s cooler than 95 degrees)! I’m not a hike with the rest of Phoenix kinda guy, so you won’t find me on Camelback Mtn or South Mtn. Phoenix Mountain Preserve has trails that snake all over the place. Mix up the trails for longer runs or steeper treks. I am addicted to this crazy wild area of Phoenix. I love the fact that I can run right from my house and be in the thick of dust, cactus and reptiles in just a couple minutes. Now I would suggest pulling up some trail guides to figure out what loop would be best for you. Just know that not all the trails appear on these guides. Use the Mountains (or as I call them hills) as your guide. I learned my favorite trails just by trial and error. Word of caution, when you are going with the trial and error, know that when you are on the less traveled trails you will hear or run into some rattlers. My suggestion, and I wouldn’t go by it, is to turn your music up loud enough so you don’t hear them. The busiest trail is the one off of 32^nd st. and Lincoln. Most people just go to the top of the peak and then turn around. Be adventurous and try the loop back to the 202! Well worth the 5 mile trek/​run! I didn’t think I would like Phoenix when I moved from San Diego about 5 years ago, but I have to say my love of the Ocean has been able to transform into my love of the desert. Get your ass out there on these trails, you’ll love it! If you get bit by a rattler sorry for the bad advice!
**Oh shit, forgot about the Tarantula Hawk! I had one land on me and I damn near fell off the trail. There is one thing that freaks me out here, these damn things are the size of a hummingbird and have the most painful sting in the world. No BS! Thanks for the reminder Joyce! Enjoy the trail!

Fantastic variety of difficulty of trails with much less traffic than some of the trails in Phoenix. Parking was a little crowded at the trailhead off of Northern this morning, but someone was pulling out as we came in. We took part of trail 100 and the 220 loop.

Looking for a trail run of medium difficulty — look no further. Easy parking at Shea and 40^th street, trail 100 is the perfect «quick 30» minute run. Lovely undulating hills and only a few mountain bikers to dodge, this is my «go to» running trail in the cooler months. Hint: Do not go off the trail… the cholla bite :)

This is such a nice hike. If you go to the absolute top it’s about 1.34 miles. It took me 30 minutes to go up. It starts off pretty easy and gets harder as you go. You an make it as easy or as hard as you want by your pace. It’s not crowded and they allow dogs.

This is a great hike for those that desire a less busy mountain. Always open parking at the commercial corner off of Lincoln and 32^nd. Grab a coffee before or after your hike.
Unlike echo canyon they allow dogs. They are supposed to be on leashes, but the trail is rarely monitored and many hikers let their dogs off their leashes just after the parking lot. It’s a better kike for dogs that the Cholla Trail on the East side of Camelback (which also allows dogs). Especially for small dogs, given that it has less boulders that Squaw Peak or Echo Canyon.
The trail is easy at the beginning but gets more difficult towards the top. Toward the top of the first peak, the trail gets narrow so passing people can be a challenge. After the first bench, you’ll go into a draw and they back up a steep hill until you reach the second bench. From here you can see Squaw Peak. If you want to make it harder, take the trail to the South west once you reach the second bench. View from the top is amazing and you will likely have the peak all to yourself.
Not sure what the rules are on being on the mountain at night, but I often start this hike at dusk and finish in the dark. It’s really great on nights with a full-​moon. Once your eyes adjust, you really don’t need a flashlight and the city lights are amazing.

The entrance at 32^nd St. & Lincoln is probably my favorite hiking location of all time. I don’t know why I tried it first when I started hiking here 4 years ago, but it is my go-​to place to hike and to (try to) introduce friends/​family to hiking. Compared to Camelback which sometimes feels like A Night at the Roxbury, 32^nd St. & Lincoln (as well as the adjoining Piestewa Peak) feels like the Cheers theme song when it says, «sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.» Nearly everyone you meet is friendly and polite and will make way for you or thank you for making way for them on the trail, so I never worry about whether someone would stop and render aid if I end up injuring myself there! The views of downtown Phoenix in the distance are wonderful, and you have a variety of trail distance and difficulty depending on how much time you have and how much effort you want to expend. If you follow the 8A trail, you have a comfortable hike without too much claiming for the first ¾ mile and then a nice climb through switchbacks to a place to stop and rest on a memorial bench. (If you’re feeling ambitious at that point, you can follow 8B up another 100 feet elevation to another memorial bench.) On the other hand, if you want the climby part right now or are short on time, follow 8A about ¼ mile from the entrance until you go through the first creekbed, take a left on the 202 trail, climb to the top of the ridge and take a right, and you have your choice of trails up to two peaks of equal elevation (around 1920 feet) that will make your legs burn pretty quickly. At any rate, no matter your level of experience or fitness, I would recommend a hike at 32^nd St. & Lincoln to anyone — you will have a fantastic time! :)

Finding beauty in a desert is difficult for me. Everything is brown and dusty dry. Phoenix is quite a large city and see them preserve a place like this is vital to maintain some natural sites. Trails here are rocky and steep. Many runners and hikers come here to get away from it all. I can see why. It is a very nice place. My minor gripe is that I need to see more green, but alas I’m in a desert. Having grown up most of my life on the east coast and hiking the Appalachian Trail, I’m just accustom to many trees and plants. Wear some sturdy shoes, and it might be a good idea to have a buddy system in case you have an accident.

I truly adore the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. I usually went to Squaw Peak, but after an ankle debacle, I needed something easy to get back in the swing of things. Enter the Preserve, recommended by a coworker.
I drove on over and was happy to see that there were multiple trails to try. I asked a fellow hiker what they thought to be a good trail, and so I took #8. It’s nice because it’s mostly a scenic hike with a steady incline (mostly). It’s very calm and relaxing out there, as there are usually just a few other hikers.
I like being out in nature and this is the place to get it. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to try something other than the usual hustle and bustle of Camelback or Squaw Peak.

Hands down, the Lincoln Rd trailhead is one of my favorite trails, and I love it’s right in the city! This is a great trail for hiking or running, and I like to do both! Watch out for critters! Snakes love these trails as much as we do…
Hey dog parents!!!
This is a great trail for my dog — if you’re bringing your dog, remember to bring water for your furry friend… and extra bags for poop. Bonus is this trailhead has a doggie bag dispenser and a waste bin in case you forgot to grab some on your way out the door! Your dog will probably poop — there are too many exciting smells (mine nearly loses her mind sniffing and scurrying after smells — she looks practically manic when we first start out); I can only imagine this is like the canine equivalent of all those tourists who kissed Oscar Wilde’s tomb in Pere LaChaise (I never understood that).
This trail is generally clean and clear from litter and poop, but it’s sorta befuddling to me how some doggers will bag poop but then leave it on the side of the trail. I’ve passed same bags heading in and on my way out, leaving me to wonder if someone forgot to pick up a «deposit?» I definitely don’t mind picking up my little gal’s poops, but I do mind picking up other pups’ drops (Mr and Mrs Non Pooper Scooper), and leaving doggie drops makes all doggers look guilty by association. I want to retain the ability to bring my dog with me, and although I will grab and bag others, I don’t particularly want to be the pooper scooper of the Lincoln Trailhead, so let’s work together to keep these trails clean!

Phoenix has several good mountain parks and preserves, and this is my favorite. It is easily accessible (via SR-​51 and E. Glendale Avenue) and has numerous trails of varying degrees of ease or difficulty, all of which give you great views of the component mountains of the park or of the metropolitan area around it. While Piestewa Peak and its very popular summit trail are part of the preserve, I usually hike and explore the other trails and peaks; these are much less crowded and the hikes are just as scenic. There are several good facilities for picnicking and restrooms are available at the parking areas. And oh yes, there are ample parking spaces here, unlike in most of the other mountain parks of the city.

This Mountain has been a great backup plan since Camelback Mountain is closed until the end of Fall. I know, how lame of CAMELBACK! :(
But honestly, this Mountain does the job. It’s tranquil and beautiful. It’s a great place to get away from it all and just relax with a walk around and up the Mountain, or even a nice jog. The only thing I do want to warn you about is snakes. BE CAREFUL, we came across a striped orange and black snake, nothing too scary looking, more of a cute, large colorful reptile. But still, watch out and bring water bottles since its slowly starting to heat up out there!!!
Oh and I can’t wait to try out the bike trails! FUN!!!