South Mountain Park/Preserve

In 1924 the City of Phoenix paid $17,000 for 13,000 acres of land south of town. South Mountain Park/Preserve now covers more than 16,000 acres, across the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe ranges, and it is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the country. Over 100 miles of trails are open to hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers.

Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point the public can reach, and you can drive there on Summit Road or walk. The Holbert Trail climbs 1,100 feet in 2.5 miles, with an extension to the lookout. Kiwanis Trail, just 1 mile with 480 feet of climbing, is the city's suggestion for people new to desert hiking, and passes two rock dams built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The Mormon Trail, 1.1 miles and 720 feet, is often busy, and has petroglyphs along the way. Many people link the Mormon Trail to the National Trail and to Hidden Valley, with its squeeze called Fat Man's Pass and a natural rock tunnel.

The rule to read before you go: on days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, the Holbert, Mormon and Hau'pal Loop trails, plus access to the National Trail from Pima Canyon Trailhead, close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other trails stay open, but the city says that more than 200 hikers are rescued from its desert parks each year. In 2024 trail closures applied on 45 days. Start early, carry plenty of water, and turn back while you still have some.

Parking and entrance hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and trails are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The visitor center keeps Thursday to Sunday hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday closures are worth knowing about if you plan to drive: the main Summit Road closes to cars until 10 a.m. most Sundays and all day on the fourth Sunday of each month, reserved for walkers and cyclists. Roads are narrow, with blind corners and sheer drop-offs, so ride or drive with care.