Lost Dutchman State Park

Was on a rendezvous to do a totally different hike about 4 miles further east, when I started seeing the initial cliffs of the Superstition Mountains. Captivating, awe-inspiring, and simply a rugged gorgeousness made me take this exit without a second thought. Think entry was $10 and plenty of parking. I went during January and still brought a liter of water. Lasted me 4 hours, so if you are here in the summer, bring a gallon for the day. I decided upon the Treasure Loop trail which is the leads to the left most part of the cliff face. From the foliage to the rock outcroppings, this was a wonderful hike. Seeing the cliff face get closer and closer was quite the development I was looking for. The trail does go all the way up about 150 feet from the bottom of the cliff, and then continues on around. If you keep going, you can see where it's possible to start getting up above the cliffs. I didn't really see any paths that way, so it would be trekking off the path, but if you got some time, maps, GPS, big amounts of water, food, packed with equipment for over night stays, I could see a person walk well into the Superstition Wilderness and find peace of soul, aliens, or God.

Beautiful park. Plenty of easy hikes if you are a novice. Cacti everywhere, good and bad. We found out the hard way, they do hurt! Great spot for sunset pictures and dark sky viewing.

What a delight. Bring a gallon of water as suggested per person / dog size was accurate. We took our goldens who hike a lot to the dry waterfall of the peak and stopped there as we watched others struggle with dogs. Please be safe if you go higher and your dog spooks you could lose yourself and your dog. Ours are well trained and we stopped. All areas below are safe for dogs just stay on the path to avoid cactus. We loved the hike!

Do come for the beautiful Mountain View’s and hiking opportunities. Don’t expect well spaced campsites as that wasn’t our experience. We were all crammed in pretty tightly. Also when you arrive it’s helpful to the staff to know your site number. The gentleman who checked us in, Steve, curtly informed us of this. It’s a pretty sleepy area so staying more than a day or two might not be for everyone.

The state park is gorgeous and scenic. You need to of course pay a day pass or be a campground user to access the park. The gates close at ten at night so if you’re camping you need to make sure you’re back before they close the gate or there is no re entry until six am. There are multiple hikes and walking paths throughout the park. Some are challenging and many are moderate or even easy. There’s a lot of wildlife here. I saw quails for sure and lizards. Saw a dead rattle snake. Heard coyotes and saw some rabbits. It gets hot with no shade options for the most part. You want to come prepared for all of this in mind. Good footware, skin protection and a sun hat. They have a neat little gift shop with some magnets and stickers. The park is well maintained with great trails. Clean. Day use area seems to close at eight pm per the signage at the parking lots. I stayed here many nights in the campground and it was great. Note for campground: Sites are paved and nicely levelled to begin with. Electric and water sites. The dump station has two spots which is also nice. Showers and washrooms are very clean and nice to use. Some sites are spaced out really nice and offer great views- others are backed into one another and kind of annoying with no privacy. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. One of the campground washroom/shower houses was closed for renovations so they only had one for all the campground users. They close between 1-2 for cleaning.

Beautiful hike for all ages! Lots of history and a great stop very close to Phoenix! Visited with 4 generations 1/2025!!!! Quails were really cute too!

This is a very nice state park with a nice campground. We stayed for 2 weeks and visited the surrounding area. The sites are nice. They have electricity and water. There’s a dump station by the entrance. Bathrooms were under renovation.

Me & wifey came here on our anniversary to watch the sunrise which was amazing!...And afterwards......well, it turned out to be almost a nightmare for the simple fact that I wore the wrong shoes twisted my ankle and almost lost my phone... my wife warned me but I did not listen, we chose a simple trail and started the hike. There was a spot off the trial that I wanted to check out, so I found a wash and went up that wash to the area. I stayed up there exploring to my hearts content as I could see my wife below. As I was heading back down I felt my pocket in my sweats and noticed my phone was gone and started panicking so I yelled down to my wife to call my phone because I know I had lost it in the bushes somewhere and had to backtrack my steps as I listened out to hear the ring as my wife was calling my phone from below. There were so much vegetation that had grown in that area it seemed impossible to find my phone so I had to calm myself down, and so I prayed to God to help me find my phone. All of the sudden after backtracking and praying I turned around and my phone was lying right there behind me about 5ft away. I was so happy I went over to pick it up and it rang??...Well I definitely wanted to get out of there so I started jumping and leaping out of the bush from rock to rock because it's hard to see through the vegetation because I could not find the wash I came up. All of the sudden as I was getting closer to reaching my wife about 50 yards away I stepped on loose rocks and my left ankle twisted and I slid down about 2ft that way, and immediately I felt the pain and inflammation in my ankle as I came to a halt. Now I'm limping down in a lot of pain but finally I reached my wife. I went to get my ankle checked and found out the ligament popped out but it did not come around my ankle bone so there was no need for surgery, a little over a month later it was better thank God. I would tell anyone to be very careful going off the trail those mountains can be brutal!...😇🙏

Treasure Loop Great trail, well maintained with a significant elevation gain leading to a gradual downhill. Or reverse it if you choose. Fantastic views. Parking: Entry fee, Medium lot

There are several trails here in differing levels of difficulty. Generally, if you aren't going up the mountain the trails will be fairly easy and flat. We did a mish mash of several trails here and got stunning views of the mountain and park. On the way back we got to see some of the cabins which might be an interesting option for overnight stays. Overall we had a nice time admiring the beauty of the desert. and I'd love to go again for a more involved hike up the mountain.

I love this campground! The rangers and hosts are fantastic - well-run state park. The sunsets are spectacular!

The perfect park for winter camping! We had our trailer here for several days. It can get really windy, so make sure you stake your tents! It shook our trailer pretty bad. The cool nights and warm days make it a great place for long hikes along the Superstition Mtns. The one issue I noticed is how few and far apart the bathrooms are.

So much fun with my family. But bring water, even on a cold day you will need it. Look closely and you will find wave cave for some amazing photos after a 90 min walk

We love to camp here! The campsites are set up well so most sites have awesome views and privacy. The bathrooms are clean and the service is always good. We also love the many hiking trails and there is a hike for all levels. Today we completed a seven mile hike and saw so many birds and enjoyed beautiful views. The trails are well marked. We hope to be back in April/May so we can enjoy the nearby lakes and river as we love to paddle board.

This is an absolutely gorgeous state park with some can't-miss mountain views! If you're looking for a true AZ hiking experience, and don't want to fuss with crowds at Camelback, this is the place for you. I'd been to Lost Dutchman years ago, but was excited to share the beautiful Superstition Mountains with my husband! We drove around 30 minutes from Mesa to Apache Junction - and didn't run into any traffic. There's even a cute mining town attraction on the way into the state park, if you're looking for something fun to do with the kiddos! There is a $10 fee to enter the park - but the entire property is well-maintained, so it's definitely worth it. On this trip, we decided to stick to the Treasure Loop trail, which is beginner-friendly while still incorporating some dazzling desert scenery. This trail is just over two miles, and it took us about an hour to complete. There are several other trails throughout the park for varying skill levels, including the infamous "Flatiron." We did this hike on a weekday in the middle of December, and it was perfect weather. That said, you'll definitely want to be prepared for the heat if you're hiking anytime between April - October. Do yourself a favor and look up why they call them the Superstition Mountains as you're leaving - there are some fun legends associated with this beautiful terrain!

Gorgeous scenery but the rough pathway was a struggle. It was warm but there was a great breeze especially as you got higher up

I'm been running the Lost Dutchmen 8k trail run for many years. It's every Feb and the weather is always perfect for running. Cold in the am but warms up to the low 70's. There's ton of hiking trails around the park. I always run the trails. There's bathrooms at Prospect Park. 6 Pickle ball courts, softball and basketball courts. Swing sets etc. Very nice well kept park. Beautiful mountains surround the park. It feels like what Arizona probably looked like back on the early days. Would highly recommend running the trails or picking a hike.

Showed up at 9 am on Saturday, and they were closed with hiking trails full and no parking per their sign. Unfortunate, as I was looking forward to trying this hike the first time. I'll have to try it next time.

What a beautiful scenic area! I love the Superstition Mountains and all the views this park has to offer. Many visitors from out of the city, state and even country come visit! Remember to pick up after yourself and be mindful of the wildlife.

Lost Dutchman Trail. I swear I touch the hand of Jesus today. This was one of the most spectacular hikes that I have done throughout the world. And I feel so blessed to have it in my backyard. With all the rain we have been experiencing down here in Arizona it's so green and the wildflowers are starting to pop. It's so crazy when you think about your vision is looking at miles and even it could be 100 miles to a mountain peak that's so far off in the distance. Today is March 14 the first time I've ever hiked this location and it will not be my last! I WOULD RECOMMEND

Happy Earth Day! Lost Dutchman State Park once had people flocking to the area in search of the Lost Dutchman's goldmine. Now, the people visiting the park are mostly outdoors enthusiasts. Having heard positive things about the Superstition Mountains, we decided our kid's spring break was the perfect time to make a day trip of Lost Dutchman State Park, and near by Goldfield Ghost Town. Once we paid the entrance fee, and picked up a map, we started driving in the direction of the Superstition Mountains. One of the park asked if we had decided on a trail. I informed him that we were just about to look at the map. He suggested we hike the Treasure Loop Trail. On a hazy morning, we set out to hike the 2.4 miles that is the Treasure Loop Trail. This hike is rated moderate. My youngest had difficulty at times. Shoes with good traction are recommended. The trail takes hikers high enough to enjoy beautiful views without going all the way to the top. Being spring, wild flowers were in bloom. Pops of purple, yellow, and orange dotted the landscape. Like any desert excursions, make sure to bring plenty of water. Camping is allowed at this state park. There are 138 sites. Of those 138 sites, 68 have electric and water hookups for RVs. Along with campsites, the park has cabins for rent. Cabins are not pet friendly. Reservation for campsites or cabins may be made on the park's website. The website also has all the rules for camping at the park. A free junior ranger program is available for kids. When paying your entry fee, make sure to ask about the program. Children who complete the activity pages/booklet will receive a free junior ranger button. The restrooms we used were old, but clean. Restrooms have flush toilets.

We have always crossed this park on our way to canyon lake or while visiting the Goldfield ghost town. Since, it's spring and the wildflowers in bloom season we wanted to visit and hike one of the many trails. This park is gorgeous beyond words, so picturesque, it's perfect. The weather was so good that we were lost in the nature. There are many trails, Ramadas and lot of parking spots. This park is well kept and you need to buy a ticket, was a little unhappy that our National park pass didn't work for the state parks. Nevertheless, this park is worth the visit. We took the #56 treasure loop, and it's rocky. With the kids we couldn't complete it. It's, still great to hike and admire the gorgeous superstitious mountain. I would highly recommend this park, please stay on the trail and don't pick the wildflowers. They reseed every year, we want more for the years to come. Such a fine beauty Arizona is!

I came back to visit the Treasure Loop Trail (2.4 miles) after a few years away. The Cholla parking area has restrooms you can use if needed before your hike. It's a fair amount of elevation as you head up the mountain, with beautiful views of the city below you and the Superstitions up ahead. I figured the wildflowers would be out in force and I wasn't wrong. Lots of lupine, brittlebrush, ookows and some golden poppies were out. I don't think I'd enjoy this hike on a hot summer day with the sun broiling me. It's definitely a cooler season hike.

Very cool hiking area with a variety of trails to pick from. Beautiful sceneries. Its also kid and pet friendly. Goldfield ghost town is right next door very convenient. No issues with parking. It was a great experience. Look forward to going again.

We stopped here mid-afternoon on a Saturday in January. We had this on our list of places to check out because we are intrigued by all the stories about the Superstition Mountains. We stopped at the entrance where there is a small gift shop with swag, snacks and a flush toilet. The fee to enter is $10 per car. The park has several trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian riding. They also have overnight camping and day-use areas with picnic tables. We went on a short hike and took some pics of Superstition Mountains and surrounding area. There were several informational signs which describe some of the landscape, native animals and plants as well as stories of the Superstitions. Overall it was a beautiful park and we thought it would be a great place to camp in the future as well!

Gorgeous park! We are in the pull-thru loop site 52 and it's roomy and gorgeous view of the Superstition Mountains. Spacious site with beautiful surroundings, we will be back. Warning! Do NOT stop by The Hitching Post down the road to eat, a horrible place!

We did the treasure loop #56. To get to it you park on cholla parking area, here you will have restrooms and picnic areas near the parking lot. The trail is heavily trafficked trail and will allow dogs on a leash. I would call it easy- moderate as it is a little over 2 miles but half is going up hill. It has very nice views throughout the trail. Watch out for cholla cactus as they seem to have lots of those, fortunately easy to steer clear. Don't want to be attacked by the cactus! There is not much shade so if you are out in the middle of summer I would highly recommend a hat and to bring water since it gets pretty hot in this area.

Great hiking and love siphons draw trail to the top 5,024. Intermediate hiker or above. Always bring lots of water,and good hiking shoes, like a OBOZ, saw tooth two. Love the shoes. I would also recommend gloves, sunscreen, and long-sleeve shirts. Use the all trails app to find more great trails in the Goldfields or the Superstition mountain.

You can feel the magnetic pull of the Superstitions Mountains and the Flat Iron peak when you enter this fabulous Arizona state park. See with your own eyes how surreal these mountains are! It is a postcard experience! It's let your muse loose? It's let's take a hike, mountain bike or horse back ride! Camp! Sit around a camp fire if you desire to connect with the natural world. Gaze at the dark sky splattered with stars upon stars and constellations. Polaris! Orion! Beetlejuice! Big dipper! The moon! Milky Way! Make your day here and enjoy! We did for 6 days and nights with the Airstream in tow. We've been twice before and 3 times is a charm! Sonoran desert doesn't get any better than this. Check it out! Oh the mountains call to me! What do they say! Come and play! What do they say to you?

The main trail I visit is the "Treasure Loop" trail. I adore this path because it has some incline, but it is relatively short. The view as you begin is gorgeous. As you move forward you get closer and closer to, in my opinion, one of the prettiest faces of the Superstition Mountain Range. The wildlife you see along the way is also wonderful. I will mention that I have run into a few rattlesnakes right next to the trail while on this path. They usual give a pretty fair amount of warning time with their rattle, but always keep a look out. Especially as you get closer to the mountain and higher up on the trail. Happy Hiking :)

The beauty of the desert, sponsored by Nature. Gorgeous place, amazing views and the hike to fhe top will astound your senses. Camping facilities are terrific, they have hot showers for campers and and a great day use sight. Don't miss the sunsets there, they are beyond

After visiting the Superstition Museum I decided to stop by the Lost Dutchman State Park. The park is named after the fabled lost gold mine and offers several hikes for all skill levels. The park rangers are information and pleasant. They ask that you wear a mask if you can not maintain social distancing while visiting the park. . In addition to hiking there are mountain bike trails and camp sites available.

Really great view. The hike is tough and steep, but it is worth doing that. First 2 miles is only 1000 feet elevation gain and the third mile is 2000 feet elevation gain. I did in December but still many people. Geology is interesting, and this is "the West"!!! Next time I want to go backpacking in the area.

All the years I lived here I've never been to superstition mountain which I would have been doing this for years So many trials Great news Want to go camping I learned that if you drive pass entrance to the park about a quarter mile you don't have to pay intense next time say my $7 park over there S definitely place everyone to go will be back soon hopefully before it get to hot

Great place for a hike. We did the treasure loop trail and it was the perfect amount of time and very easy, but rewarding views and great photo opportunities. It cost $2 per adult in the vehicle and kids (under 12 or maybe 14) were free. You can also buy a park pass annually. Great deal! There were picnic grounds with both covered pavilions and sunny tables. Grills were offered (byo charcoal). Restrooms at the trailhead were clean. Parking was plentiful. Trail was well marked with lots of signs and the path was easy to follow for us first timers. There were a few benches for people to sit on along the way. Saguaro cacti a plenty! A few other varieties as well. We saw a few birds and a lot of happy dogs along the way. Kids and seniors were seen along the trail and even people with canes seemed to do ok with the trail conditions. You can rent horses at a nearby town and ride on the trail for $40 per 1/2 hour, $50/ hr or $80 for 2 hours. There's also a bike trail. Highly recommend a trip here! You can stop at a little old mining town replica for shopping, refreshments and entertainment. Everything was reasonably priced and lots more photo ops.

Beautiful, especially at sunset! Totally worth the $7 to help keep rangers on site and keeping AZ beautiful!

short hike on an overcast day was still beautiful in its own way.

I've been here before to hike the superstitions but this time I just needed my meditation time so I rented out one of the new cabins for 24 hours. Absolutely beautiful experience and phenomenal view of the superstitions. The cabin was cute and quaint. It is perfect for tranquility and nature time. Sleeps six. Each cabin comes with bunk beds and one queen bed. I loved the fire pit too. We made s'mores over the fire Draw backs are the cabins have no amenities. You have to walk to the shower and park bathrooms. No refrigerator but take an ice chest and you are good! Pretty reasonable with the price. The best thing about this place and experience is the view. :)

A great park with nice trails. This park is perfect for people who want to start with something easy and gradually work up to a challenging hike. The park has several nice trail heads with parking. It also has several options for camping including hook ups. There are day hike access passes and year round as well. Facilities are good with restrooms spread across the different areas. Maps are available with good advice from the ranger station with you enter the park. One of the best things about this park is its accessibility to the metro Valley area. On the outskirts of Apache Junction in the east valley, this state park is one of the closest opportunities for you to view natural Arizona dessert scenery and still sleep in your Valley hotel (or your home). That said, what I love most about this park, and its main attraction is not the camping (though, that is very good for Arizona), but it's great hiking trails. As such, I list my recommendations below for the park's best hikes, in my opinion. EASY: The simplest and easiest hikes to start with here are Treasure Loop and Jacob's Trail. Treasure Loop has some elevation but is relatively short (3 miles) and rewarding (nice views and scenery). Jacob's Trail is flatter and a bit longer with a nice walking range across the face of the park. MODERATE: When you've progressed to something more considerate, try Siphon Draw trail to the basin. At 3.9 miles, it has 1000 ft elevation and is a worthy hike for a family afternoon. Don't take it lightly, being plenty of water and take your time. Please note that March through September will have plenty of opportunity (as all Arizona trails do) to encounter rattlesnakes sunning themselves on the trails. Be aware and stay clear. ADVANCED: When you are in very good shape and are ready for an intermediate to advanced level challenge, do the Flatiron ascent via Siphon Draw trail. You basically do the Siphon Draw trail mentioned above, and simply keep going the remaining mile to the top of the plateau! It sounds amazing- and it is! Flatiron hike via Siphon Draw is just under 6 miles round trip with a whooping 2900ft elevation, wherein the last mile is approximately 2/3 of the entire hike's climb! That is 1900 ft gain in one mile. In fact, this trail is classified as Class 3 by rock climber scale. That means there is a good amount scrambling across rocks and some pulling yourself up in a few places. It's a work out. You shouldn't be scared if you are in strong shape, but bring a LOT of water and give yourself 6 hours. Attempting this hike with its steep incline in the last 1/3 of the ascent is not for folks who have not already prepared for it. If you are a hiker, Flatiron Trail via Siphon Draw should be on your list as one of the top 5 hikes in the entire state. Stunningly beautiful, physically challenging and probably 2000-3500 calorie burn depending on your body weight. When you are done this, you've accomplished something and you should feel good about it. Cost: Lost Dutchman, like many state parks, are not completely free. But the cost is very minimal. Park Entrance Fees: Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $7.00, or Individual/Bicycle: $3.00 For all the reasons I've listed above, Lost Dutchman State Park is a winner in my books. If you hike, it should be your first stop out of Phoenix.

Great park with tons of hiking opportunities. Check it out. Great spaces and close to superstition mountain.

Gorgeous, stunning views! Who doesn't love the Superstition Mountains :) So much to do out this way! Fun, scenic drive! I always take family members out here when they visit. Arizona is beautiful.

It's a fun place to spend the day with your family. Fun stuff to do and great food. They also put on shows throughout the day.

If you are coming to this area with an RV... try your darndest to camp here! The views Unfortunately we tried several times in hopes they had cancellations but no luck. We did however come and hike Treasure Loop with our 3 kids ages 4,7,9... breathtaking. One of our top 2 favorite hikes in the area - the other being Saguaro Lake, Butcher Jones trail. The loop was rocky and had some elevation, but just when the kids were wanting to give up, we cut over and then headed back down. Around the top section, there are some cool formations the kids (and my hubby and I) enjoyed climbing around and grabbing a snack. Doesn't seem like a prime sunset spot but certainly being there when the light changes makes for different colors on the mountains. We counted 6 photographers on a Saturday evening in mid February!

I love this state park! The hike to siphon draw/flat iron is very scenic. In the spring, wildflowers are in full bloom. I recommend hiking at this time of year (summer would be much too hot)! Certain trails do tend to have swarms of bees/ nests, so it might be difficult hiking these narrow trails if you are deathly allergic. I've been here twice now and given the relatively short drive for such a beautiful hike, I will most likely be back (possibly to hike a different trail).

This place is a beautiful environment. Creative backdrop to an alluring mountain in the midst. Picture perfect area. Take a camera. Visit the museum and be ready to be impressed.

Stop reading this review now. Get in your car and drive to the Lost Dutchman state park as quickly (and safely) as you can. Seriously. This park is gorgeous, easily accessible and provides plenty of outdoor options to suit just about any picky person. Wanna hike/run/bike some trails? Yep, LDSP has plenty of those with varying degrees of length and difficulty. Wanna gather some family or friends for a nice picnic- OK yes this park has tons of picnic tables and even larger verandas than can be reserved online. Are you looking for a place to dry park your RV- there are over 100 spaces for you. The park even just opened some cabins last summer (Aug 2018) that allow visitors to "camp" with a few more amenities. There are public restrooms everywhere for those emergencies. There are water spouts to fill up your bottles/packs. The trails are clearly marked and very easy to get to. Entrance costs a measly $7 per vehicle, which all goes straight back into the park. If you stop at the visitor's center there are plenty of events that are great for families or couples or adults. We saw a monthly "camping for beginner families" course that basically teaches you how to camp in a tent. The tents and a few other items are provided and you're expected to bring sleeping bags and food/snacks. It sounded like a really fun experience. There are stargazing nights, dog hiking events, and many other things that would appeal to a wider audience. Oh, and the views. Holy smokes. We recently hikes the Treasure Loop (about 3 miles round trip) and we were able to see the Phoenix skyline off into the distance at one point (though tiny, you could see it!) as well as incredible views of the Superstition range, plenty of cacti and other beautiful AZ-indigenous scenery. Really folks, this place is pretty. We saw folks of all ages and sizes hiking this trail- so it's suitable for a varying group of hikers- from inexperienced to expert. Bring a water bottle and a basic protein bar- you will thank me later. Regardless of the weather, you will get dehydrated walking these trails and your legs may get a little shaky too. So bring a power bar and a good sized bottle of water to keep those things under control. The drive into the park is cool; we saw lots of other fun options to spend out time another weekend. There's the Goldfield ghost town, the Lost Dutchman museum, several cool-looking locally owned restaurants, horseback riding, etc. Great place to ride the Harley too if that's your thing!

I like to come here when I want to be outdoorsy. It's a great place to get up close with the Arizona desert - see the terrain, plants, and animals. If you hike in far enough you end up in the Tonto National Forrest. I've been coming here for the past 3 years and it has always been $7 to enter and park. Now the price has increased to $10 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be aware of the price increase for Friday and weekends!

What a beautiful state park! I can see why it is highly recommended. Only a 45 minute drive from where I live in South Phoenix, it is well worth it. Along the road to get there you will stumble across little shops and ghost towns. I did not stop but will next time...they are so cute! Anyway, the Lost Dutchman has it going on...the rangers were helpful...and directed me to the trail I wanted to take...I had researched and while I had wanted to do Flatiron I knew I wasn't up for such a challenging hike so I chose Treasure Loop instead which was rather easy and still beautiful, leading up to the side of the mountain. I could have continued on a few other trails but I basically hiked to the top and then came back. It was probably about 2ish miles and I took my time so I was probably there under 2 hours. It is cleaned and well taken care of. The landscape is pristine and it is so peaceful there. Next time I will come back and try to attempt Flatiron!

Love this place, we stayed in our Motorhome and got a spot at the last minute. Campground was very clean and landscape. Well with many little trails running through the campground, I highly

Camping was fantastic. Facilities were clean and views are absolutely amazing. Don't skip out on this gem close to the city! Camping spots are large and spread out, so you don't feel crowded at all.

Awesome place with loads of places to hike and camp, just have enough water. Speak to a ranger or ask local hikers of their favorite routes. Lots to explore and be challenged by.

Epic scenery, variety of trails from beginner hikers to adventure seekers... My first time here won't be the last. I did the siphon draw to flatiron hike this weekend (yeah free entry on national holiday ) and am still feeling it. Tip: it's steep. Make sure you have room for the toes because they take a pounding going down. Most people buy hiking shoes that fit too snug to take this into account. For that matter.... Tennis shoes really don't cut it on this type of trail. I saw many people struggling to maintain footing in their body armor shoes. This ain't planet fitness, folks. Amazing views all the way up. Rewarding sense of wow and accomplishment once you're on top. Go.

Superstition Mountains. Changes dramatically with the light. Campground is very nice, clean and very well kept. 2017 photo.

It's a must. Setting is gorgeous and there's tons of stuff to do. Campground is huge. Just be sure you're booking electric on those scorching hot days as they have no flexibility with generator hours even in 100+ temps. We were not impressed with the staff. The electric loop for the one night we had it was obnoxiously loud until the wee hours and then again at day break. They made sure to tell us tires were 2" on the sand but were no where to be found when the neighbors blared vulgar music, lots of drinking, yelling and nearly a fist fight until after midnight. Then at 6:30am 3 constantly barking dogs, yelling, etc. We moved to non electric and it was dead silent. So that was a huge plus. On a few different occasions we asked questions of staff about standard things...their odd photo permit sign at the entrance, moving sites and about the generators and were met with curt responses and not even a remote willingness to have a conversation. Cut off, short, absolute responses with horrible attitude. It really casts a shadow on a stay when you feel like they don't really care if you're here or not. All of that aside...it's truly a must. Or stay elsewhere in the area if you don't care for the state park vibe....

What a fun few hours we spent here on a quick weekend trip to visit family. We did our due diligence with research on the wisdom of hiking in Arizona in August and packed plenty of water, and spent about an hour (at two separate times of the day) out on different trails. The rangers were all very friendly and made sure we had adequate water and gave some ideas on what to go hike. They showed my kiddos lots of different critters - all things we happily don't see in WI. I would love to come back in the spring and at a cooler time of year. Loved the native plant trail - now I know the name of that cactus I thought was so cool! The facilities were clean and well kept; probably the nicest bathrooms I've been in at a state park anywhere! Love seeing what our country's state parks have to offer and AZ was no exception.

Probably not at the right time, or with proper light, there was not much to see in the park. Arrived in the morning, and it was against sun. All washed out, a little difficult for photographing. Reviewed other pictures and seems it would be beautiful at sunset, or at least with some clouds covered. Certainly it could be great for hiking people, staying at campground, or just liking exposed under direct sun.

This place is very nice. I've gone there may times to look around and get a few pictures. The camp sites are good sized and prices are much cheaper then the RV parks around . Besides, I'm not a fan of RV parks, much rather walk in nature then asphalt and see wild life and talk to people and I don't have a fancy RV (over 10 years old) but it's mine. Superstition mountain is a great backdrop for pictures and memories .