McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Scottsdale began protecting this land in 1994. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve now covers more than 30,500 acres, one of the largest permanently protected urban desert preserves in the world, with over 230 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists and horse riders. Entry is free, and it is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The city posts exact times by date; on November 1, for example, that is 6:17 a.m. to 5:35 p.m.

With ten trailheads, your first decision is where to start. Gateway, at 18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, serves the southern McDowell Mountains, with restrooms, water, shade and the accessible Bajada Nature Trail. Lost Dog Wash has similar facilities and its own accessible trail. In the north, Brown's Ranch, at 30301 N. Alma School Parkway, reopened on October 30, 2026, with rerouted trail starts and improved parking, and has the accessible Jane Rau Trail. Pima Dynamite also has water and restrooms. Fraesfield and Granite Mountain offer restrooms but no drinking water, and Quartz and Ringtail are simply parking areas with no water. Sunrise and Tom's Thumb round out the list, and the Gateway Loop and Marcus Landslide trails are among the routes the city highlights in the southern mountains. Trail maps are available at trailheads and on the city's page.

Heat is the main hazard. The city says to leave your dog at home if temperatures during your outing will top 90°F, and in Phoenix-area summers that rules out most of the day. Start early, take a map, and bring water even from trailheads that have it. The city also advises sturdy footwear, a hat, sunscreen and light-colored clothing. Rattlesnakes live here and are protected, so stay alert on the trail.

E-bikes, e-scooters and other motorized devices are not allowed, apart from motorized wheelchairs. Guided hikes are offered by the city's natural resources staff and by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, the city's nonprofit partner. Firearm hunting is prohibited; archery hunting in season has separate rules, which the city publishes on its site.