Great little trail hot as all can be early in the am. Signs of animal life nothing really troubling…read moreto write about. Tons of cacti. So when MTN biking be mindful of the hikers because one wrong move might throw you into a whole bunch of cacti real fast. Bring water almost all trails will state the water index you need if you aren't accustomed to the heat bring double. This area has no potable water (no drinking) has restrooms at trial head and a ton of parking

What a fabulous hike!! And can go all the way up to the top of the mountain with the Ridgeback…read moreOverlook/ Apache Wash Loop. The scenery is so amazing!!! Not super hard but long and very rocky. The views at the top make it more than worth it!!!

Plenty of trails here to explore. Easy hike but goes for miles. A little over 6 if you walk the…read morewhole route. Lots of parking and a public Restroom. Great spot to get out of the city but not too far away. Happy Hiking!

On our last full day in Phoenix, the fella and I had to get one last desert hike in. After…read moresearching Yelp and Google and whatnot, we settled on a loop that was part Sidewinder Trail and part Ocotillo Trail, beginning at the trailhead on Carefree Highway at the Sonoran Preserve. It is fairly close to the city, but far enough out to feel out of the way. There is ample parking and what appears to be a pretty new shelter and restroom area. The trails are well-maintained and easy to follow. And they are marked clearly and often. I absolutely enjoyed my early December hike here...it was sunny and hot (85 degrees!) and the patches of shade along the trail are a nice respite. But be prepared in the legitimately hotter times...bring ALL the water and a hat for shade. And sunscreen yourself up! I am knocking off a star because, while the trail has markings at regular intervals, the map at the beginning is not as clear or correct as it could be. Using the map online and at the trailhead, we planned and prepared for a 4.5ish mile hike, beginning with the more difficult Sidewinder and ending with the easier Ocotillo. In reality, the hike and loop we planned ended up being at least 6 miles, and the Ocotillo, which is supposed to be easier than the Sidewinder, seemed to clearly be the more difficult of the two (at least the portions we were on). I only wish that I was more prepared for the longer distance. That said, its a great place for hiking and I wouldn't mind going again!

This volunteer maintained trailhead is very well marked, with multiple benches for enjoying the…read moreviews or the river canyon to the west or the desert to the east and south. We were a bit early for the wildflower and flowering cactus display but did see a nice carpet of yellow ground cover around the healthy looking saguaros. The total loop trail is 1.8 miles and easy to moderate. You can also connect on the southern end to the Black Canyon City trailhead and hike down to the Agua Fria River and, river level permitting, continue west up the hill for an "as long as you want" hike into the foothills. The parking area at the High Desert Trailhead is on the southern end of the municipal park which has restrooms, children's play areas and a ball field. This is a great place to take a break and stretch your legs if you are traveling north on I-17, and it is off the road just enough that tourist do not seem to stop here.

Great place to do easy hiking close to Phoenix. Not a crowded trail. Gets you close to nature and…read morefresh air.

My son and I were in town for the Arizona Cup and after he shot we needed somewhere to explore…read more This was close and wasn't supposed to be to hard and only 3.3 miles. Not sure where they started there measurements from but my Garmin watch clocked over 10 miles. The trail is not well marked but we did make going to the right and up and around. The suggestions were to go left but the lack of trail markers and a well defined trail we opted for the clearer path. Great hike. I am over 50 and over weight and made it fine. Bring water and snacks and enjoy a great hike.

Nice designated trails but Super rocky terrain! I didn't have the proper hiking shoes and coming…read moredown was quite the challenge. I would recommend hiking sticks as well.

Odd park between cactus and Thunderbird. There is a nice walking path on both sides... there are…read moreparking lots accessible from both cactus and also from Thunderbird. On the cactus side there is a huge damn that is very interesting to look at. The Thunderbird side is a little nicer. Looks like a good skate spot in the middle... if it's not raining! Not a bad park just not sure if I feel safe there walking too early.

In 1912, the Arizona Territorial Capitol was inundated. One of those rare atmospheric rivers poured…read morein, dumping far more water than recent settlers ever experienced. A former city hydrology engineer told me 19th Avenue is, essentially, Cave Creek Channel. What'd we do with Southwest floodways? Dam them. Line them. The Cave Creek flood channel is the centerline for this park. It is great for walking, biking and boarding, plus gatherings if you bring table, chairs shade, etc. Parking is exceptional. The City has a few mal-placed steel benches, far from welcoming shade in any season. Rhus is relatively peaceful in city reviving faster and faster each year. Quite a few birds. It is good for throwing birdseed to attract the local denizens. When a mega flood returns and the see ment overflows, this is also a floodplain buffer.

Black Canyon City Trailhead - A Hidden Gem Worth the Trek!…read more Loved, loved this hike! It's a moderately difficult trail -- just enough challenge to get your heart pumping, but still enjoyable for a solid in-and-out adventure. The views along the way are absolutely stunning -- desert landscapes, mountain backdrops, and plenty of fresh air. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, though parts can get sketchy (and watch out for the cactus "pricks" ). Bring plenty of water, good shoes, and be ready for a bit of elevation change. It's peaceful, scenic, and so rewarding -- I'd definitely do this one again! Whether you're local or just passing through, add this hike to your list! Go for as long as you'd like - and turn around when you're at your halfway mark.

Cool hidden spot that I've found many locals to not even know about! The Verde River winds through…read morethe Tonto National Forest, and a great hidden spot is between Bartlett Lake before the river makes its way down to joining the Salt River. It's called Needle Rock recreation area. You'll find off-road trails, some shade for picnics, and little areas to play in the water along the shore. Drive out to the end of Dynamite, where it becomes Rio Verde drive, and instead of heading to Fountain Hills, take a left into the beautiful Tonto National Forest. Be sure to stop and grab an $8 day pass at the entrance. If you're lucky, Dave will have his hot dog truck out at the entrance so you can grab a dog and some Huckleberry ice cream on your way down.

What a spectacular find! We drove back to this site after finding it on a map of trails. We had no…read moreidea we were going to find such a beautiful area to explore! There is a daily park fee of $12, which you pay at the park "box" located on the side of the road when you turn left off off of Dynamite Rd/Rio Verde Dr at Forest Rd. About .1 miles before you reach the park, it becomes a dirt road but it is compact so we had no trouble driving on it. There are trails that go beyond this park and they are very sandy so an ATV or truck would be better if you chose to venture farther down the route.

Been walking here lately and you can go at least 30 minutes one way to the underpass from the…read moreparking lot. Must have been a fire as trees are scarred, but all flat walking trails and good exercise and sights.

Easy free parking. No restrooms or water. Very scenic and mostly flat trails and land. Great for…read morecycling, dog walking or just enjoying being outside.