Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Phoenix Mountain Preserve

    4.7 (67 reviews)

    Phoenix Mountain Preserve Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Phoenix Mountain Preserve

    Recommended Reviews - Phoenix Mountain Preserve

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jack D.

    Great walk/hike. Went yesterday, 3 pm, pretty warm out but this is a nice park/reserve for hiking/running ( if you are at that level) and riding a mountain bike with big fat tires. There's several trails here, but we stayed on the # 100 Trail. Really pretty, and don't underestimate as you could twist an ankle on some of those loose rocks. It's very well maintained and some of the mountains are quite beautiful. Went 3 miles and was a great workout actually. I'll def go back. I bet it's really great in the fall/winter months.

    Hiking the the peak/Sumit Trail
    Elyse F.

    Mountain trails in the hills of Phoenix. Phoenix Mountain Preserve is home of the famed Piestewa Peak. Drive and hike further for great views of the city. Plenty of parking. The first lot has a tendency to be full. Drive in a little further. There are great trails from any lot. Restrooms and picnic ramadas are located near the parking lots. The shade structures are low. This helps keep the tables nice and shaded. Trash cans are nearby. Be safe. Lots of signs posted about heat warnings and hydration. There is little to no shade on the trails. For safety sake, trails are closed during excessive heat warnings. Stay on the trails. Keep an eye out for snakes and scorpions. While keeping an eye out for dangerous creatures, don't forget to look for other animals. This nature preserve is known for bird watching. Great horned owls and red tailed hawks are known to inhabit the area. Spring of 2023 has also had a splattering of wildflowers. Most of the flowers where we were hiking were little yellow pops of sunshine. There were also a few purple flowers.

    Alexa M.

    This is the go to hiking area for me and my brother. He probably hikes different trails here a few times a week. This week we hit the trail and parked a bit higher than usual just in case the rain rolled in but it ended up being a gorgeous evening. Pics below don't do the temperature and views justice. The hills can be challenging at times but you can also consider many of the trails to be more in the label of "nature walks". Go and enjoy !!!

    Molly enjoying a mid-day hike
    Dave C.

    The Phoenix Mountain Preserves are my favorite set of mountains to hike in the Phoenix area! There are six trailheads: 302 & 304 Trailheads both for Squaw Peak, 32nd St. Trailhead, 40th St. Trailhead, Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, and Myrtle Tunnel Trailhead. If I am hiking by myself or with a group of friends, Squaw Peak is my go-to Trail. If I have my dogs or want an easy-moderate walk (instead of a Hike) I go to the 32nd or 40th Trailheads. Everyone I have encountered on any of these trails has been friendly and considerate. Horses and bikes are welcome on all the trails except Squaw Peak. You do find many mountain bikers on the other 4 trails so keep your eyes open because the can come at you quickly! Hope to see you out on one of these trails soon.

    Andrea W.

    I came here and meant to do the Piestewa peak but ended up going on the wrong trail and did Ruth Hamilton instead. It was okay; rocky and pretty narrow path with quite a few people on a Tuesday morning, views were average. I came back to do Piestewa Peak and it was great! Hike up was fun and the views are pretty good; come early though because the parking lot gets full.

    Sara M.

    Hubs and I wanted to get out and go for a hike to start off our 12 year anniversary in nature. These trails are pretty close to sunnyslope which isn't the best area. There is plenty of parking and there was plenty of trails which are all well kept. There are a few different mountains and trails for everyone, beginner to pretty much rock climber. Definitely nice just to get out and get fresh air without it being packed. The views of the city were amazing and can see downtown perfectly from the top. We will definitely be coming back.

    Yuk L.

    Can I amaze at how cool that this preserve is smack dab in the city of Phoenix? Remarkable! I came here to hike the Piestawa Peak and saw there were other trails. If I lived in town, I'd probably come out every week to try a hike or two.

    Natasha N.

    Great and intense hike- very rocky. Bring plenty of water and don't feel rushed. I arrive pretty early in the morning. People on the mountain you pass are friendly. For a person like myself with bad ankles it was too much high steps and too rocky for me. But others without any knee or feet issues great hike. Beautiful scenery I climb all the way up to marker 12. Parking is along the side and never had a problem parking.

    Enjoying the afternoon sunshine at the newly upgraded ramada grounds of the Cholla parking area in the preserve.
    Norm R.

    At this time when significant health precautions are necessary, nothing can be more welcome than a place that allows you to exercise and get lots of fresh air and at the same time enables you to observe social distancing with ease. The Phoenix Mountains Preserve definitely fits the bill for this, especially now with its new upgrades. The Piestewa Peak summit trail parking area has been expanded and now has new ramadas, restrooms, and a lot more parking spaces. Same thing with the Cholla parking area (formerly called Mohave parking area) which now has restrooms with an automated hand washing station; it also has new barbecue grills at its picnic ramadas. And as of this writing the adjacent Hopi parking area is being renovated. This solves the preserve's past problems of lack of restrooms and sufficient parking. Good job, City of Phoenix!

    Quartz Ridge Trail (#8A) Parking lot
    Hee Y.

    REVIEW FOR QUARTZ RIDGE TRAIL (#8A) First off, look at google maps on your phone to find the exact location for the parking lot and place a pin so that you can know exactly where to go. The crossroads are E Lincoln Dr & N 32nd St (which turns into E Sierra Vista Dr). The coordinates on google maps: (33.5323240,-112.0122910) When I arrived to the trailhead on a Monday around 12:30PM, about half of the parking spots were filled up. There are 23 parking spots available and 2 handicap parking available. As I waited for my friends to arrive, 2-3 more cars pulled into the parking lot. When we left around ~2-2:30PM, the parking lot was full except for 1-2 spots. You can also chain your bike up (7 spots available) if you choose to bike there. The trail itself was a very relaxed hike. Most of the path is fairly level and you're making your way up a very gradual incline. I think the only potentially dangerous part is that the path is made up of loose rocks so you could slip if you're not careful. At one of the peaks, there's a bench. The view isn't that great? I mean, it definitely looks better in person than it does in photos. But, still pretty meh overall. There's no bathroom at this location. There are garbage & recycling cans and plastic bags for picking up your dog's poop.

    Apple S.

    I love how Arizona takes so well care of their parks. This is just like many others in the area. However it was a little inconvenient the parking lot and entrance to the park and restrooms are under construction. There were portable restrooms for the time being. But no refreshing options as for now. I posted a picture of the dates of construction (summer fall 2019)

    Eric G.

    Great mountain with hundreds of trails so there's a nice range of difference of difficulty from easy to very challenging

    Mary G.

    There are many mountains that one can choose to hike, buuuuuuut this mountain is MY MOUNTAIN!!! The route I choose to take is at the end of 32nd street, it just dead ends and everyone parks there and starts hiking. There are many different trails to choose from and there are quite often mountain bikers on the trail. I love this mountain because it's a good workout but you can get to the top in a reasonable time in which you can make hiking a daily exercise routine. Theres a smaller peak and then another trail that will take you to several peaks and you just choose how far you want to go. In the spring, well usually by February, the Mountain gets filled with desert blooms and butterflies are flitting around! It's such a beautiful sight in our desert, you just can't get that at the gym. I also like it because there are usually at least a few hikers around, so if there were to ever be an emergency, at some point you would most likely run into someone that could help you, so your not in complete seclusion, however it is not completely over crowded as it is in the more popular hiking mountains. Downfalls are that there is no official parking lot on 32nd street or a bathroom...well...the bushes!!! If you go in at Northern there is an official parking lot, but it does get filled very quickly and there is a bathroom! Also it is quite common to see people hiking with there pets. The paths are clear and easy to follow. It's enough work to make you catch your breath but not to intense of a hike that you have crawl or basically Mountain climb. There is nothing more beautiful than enjoying God's creation!

    Didn't see any critters except for the one I followed up the trail.

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elyse F.
    197
    1513
    9702

    3 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave C.
    3906
    236
    1470

    6 years ago

    Helpful 26
    Thanks 0
    Love this 25
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara M.
    372
    876
    5824

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yuk L.
    315
    497
    3320

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Norm R.
    546
    943
    4732

    6 years ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 0
    Love this 19
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hee Y.
    273
    461
    2996

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric G.
    113
    228
    1181

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gayl B.
    471
    916
    1518

    10 years ago

    Helpful 41
    Thanks 0
    Love this 38
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    I love the place to hiking I recommend this place I give it 10000000 it fun places to hiking everything is nice and clean

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nikki C.
    50
    328
    509

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karen W.
    1241
    3104
    8782

    9 years ago

    Helpful 35
    Thanks 0
    Love this 38
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of B G.
    120
    99
    410

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robbie G.
    11
    18
    25

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John B.
    469
    817
    1311

    10 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex I.
    216
    89
    25

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sandra L.
    76
    46
    23

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason L.
    34
    10
    34

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy O.
    213
    40
    49

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Phoenix Mountain Preserve

    Review Highlights - Phoenix Mountain Preserve

    One of the best things about the preserve is that it never gets too crowded like Camelback or Squaw Peak.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Hiking 4,161 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Echo Canyon Trail

    Echo Canyon Trail

    4.6(36 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    Hiked the death trap that is echo canyon trail and it did not disappoint…read more Made for mountain goats aka I recommend it if you're okay with basically rock climbing the whole way up, it's pretty vertical. It's a fun hike and definitely a good workout. It's also very well marked for people who frequently get lost on trails like me. I wasn't super impressed with the view at the top since it's just overlooking the city but it's probably one of the highest vantage points compared to other hikes. Tips: There is one part where the stairs and rails are where it gets very windy so sunglasses can help. You don't necessarily need gloves to do the hike, just be careful with how you pivot with your hands, I got through it without any callouses, scabs or scratches. Like others said, try to wear shoes with some type of traction, I got through it with sneakers. Very small parking lot so come at sunrise or if you come around 7am, sometimes the early risers leave around that time. There's bathrooms and a water fountain at the beginning. Have fun and be safe!

    The views on this trail the higher you go are priceless. However, one time is enough for me lol. It…read moretook an hour and a half up and another hour and a half down. This was my first time doing a hike like this and it's definitely not a "beginners" hike but I had no expectations & didn't know what I was getting myself into. On the way down, I fell and busted my knee. My only recommendation is to take your time & take breaks while going up/down the mountain. & listen to your body if you get tired!

    Photos
    Echo Canyon Trail - Camelbacksanta

    Camelbacksanta

    Echo Canyon Trail
    Echo Canyon Trail

    See all

    Reach 11 Recreation Area - Rattlesnake

    Reach 11 Recreation Area

    3.8(19 reviews)
    7.6 mi

    This is way the heck out there, and maybe it depends from which direction you arrive. We arrived…read morefrom south Phoenix and the apocalyptic industrial zone that precedes was not fun. There is also a library right next door - cool, but what an odd location - seems they plan to expand the housing nearby. Okay but about the hiking and the trails and site itself - great. The entire time we were visiting the area we were so impressed by the upkeep of the trails and the abundance of facilities and helpful information. This is an extensive recreation area with a lot of trails to choose, including convenient loops, so you can decide how much you are up for. We ventured up to the waterfall, which of course was not active due to the dry weather; however, there was a small pool there which was stunning. The trails are well kept and there is a mix of cement and dirt trails. Must note, though, that it's a bit quiet and remote, so can be a magnet for crime - we were warned upon entering one parking lot that someone had just been there breaking car windows. We moved on to a different lot and didn't have any issues. So just make sure there are other cars and people around, to be on the safe side. PS there is also a small nature center next to the library; both are prior to the main entrance of the Recreation Area. The nature center has some information, specimens/artefacts and a small gift shop. PPS the staff at the Recreation Area entrance were very friendly and helpful.

    Good place for a quick walk. There are several trails here but I like the main one that is…read moreasphalted and takes you by a pond. Takes about an hour to walk. Very flat, easy hike. It is not the most scenic place in town to hike but it is a solid spot.

    Photos
    Reach 11 Recreation Area
    Reach 11 Recreation Area - Algae bloom today!

    Algae bloom today!

    Reach 11 Recreation Area - Perfect trail for the whole family and a friend...

    See all

    Perfect trail for the whole family and a friend...

    Phoenix Mountain Preserve - hiking - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...