South Mountain Park and Preserve

"In a famously sprawling city, the 16,000 acres of South Mountain Park allow people to disappear into the natural world. Hiking, running, biking, and even driving, you might see roadrunners and loping coyotes. And oftentimes the trail will bend, and there rises the towers of downtown Phoenix, rising from its bowl of mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs. These are rock carvings etched by ancient desert communities, like the Hohokam. There are hundreds of petroglyphs scattered through the park: spirals, animals, and suns—all incredible to witness and ponder." - Chris Malloy

"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here?   Wild. In a famously sprawling city, the 16,000 acres of South Mountain Park allow people to disappear into the natural world. Hiking, running, biking, and even driving, you might see roadrunners and loping coyotes. And oftentimes the trail will bend, and there rises the towers of downtown Phoenix, rising from its bowl of mountains.  Any standout features or must-sees?   Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs. These are rock carvings etched by ancient desert people, like the Hohokam. There are hundreds of petroglyphs scattered through the park: spirals, animals, suns, all incredible to witness and ponder.  Was it easy to get around?   Yes. South Mountain has 50 miles of trails. Some are better for hiking, some for biking. Some are long, some short. If you prefer to drive, you can cruise up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout. At this municipally owned park, you can build-your-own adventure.  That sounds cool. All said and done, who/what is this best for?   Nature-goers who want something less crowded and more immersive than Paradise Valley’s overcrowded Camelback Mountain hike." - Chris Malloy

"Offering hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities on 51 miles of trails, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest wilderness area within city limits in the US, stretching over 17,000 acres of unspoiled desert. A scenic drive leads to the top of the mountain with stops for trailheads and a great viewpoint of the surrounding city below.The South Mountain Environmental Education Center offers a great introduction to the desert environment of the park, where interpretive indoor exhibits follow the history of South Mountain Park. At the center, “adventure packs” are available, specifically geared to help you explore nearby trails and learn about things such as local birds, insects, and flora.Inside the park, different trailheads are starting points for hikes of all lengths and levels, from short one-mile walks to strenuous 10-mile treks, some of them offering views of ancient petroglyphs left behind by the Hohokam who lived here thousands of years ago. Or, for a true Western experience, guests can take a horseback ride through the park." - MATADOR_NETWORK