Some of the Best Places to Hike in Phoenix, Arizona for all experience levels
There are so many trails and parks in Phoenix, Arizona. I put together some of my favorite ones into this video.
One thing I want to note is that the difficulty level of these hikes and hiking areas varies. However, almost all of them (except maybe Camelback) have great options for beginners. We all start hiking somewhere, and many of these hikes are great for just that. Start easy and work up to more difficult and complicated hikes.
Papago Park - Papago Park is ideal for beginners. And families. My kids absolutely loved Papago Park. I hadn't been here for years, but when I went recently, I immediately remembered why we used to go there so often. You have the always fun Hole in the Rock, the pond and, of course, the Zoo is right there. I never took advantage of the trails across the street from the zoo before though. And this time I was able to explore that area for the first time. And it didn't disappoint. It was fun climbing around on the rocks and eventually just sitting and watching the sun set.
Deem Hills - Let's get this out of the way; Deem Hills didn't exactly blow my mind. The hills are gradual and short, and the scenery is fairly desolate desert views. What I did enjoy about Deem Hills was how easy it was to get a parking space, and how fairly empty the trails were. Sure, there were people, but not what you expect for these urban hikes. Overall, a great place for exercise and to get outside and have some decent views.
South Mountain Preserve - South Mountain Preserve is popular. And huge. It has a large amount of trails so you can challenge yourself as much or as little as you want. Or you can just drive up to the top and enjoy the views without any effort at all. When I went to South Mountain, parts (especially Dobbins Lookout) were closed due to COVID, but I was still able to check out the Ridgeline trail for a bit before the sun set. Overall, I still have a lot of South Mountain to explore, but it's definitely good for hikers of all experience levels.
Camelback Mountain - I love Camelback Mountain. Yes, I just released a video of it, so I won't waste a lot of time here. But you really can't talk about hiking in Phoenix without mentioning Cameback. Crowded as hell, but a great workout with awesome views and a feeling of satisfaction at the end. You can't go wrong with Camelback.
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve - Phoenix Sonoran Preserve reminded me a lot of Deem Hills; typical if unspectacular desert scenery. What I really liked about Phoenix Sonoran Preserve was how empty it was. There were some people there, but you could find solitude. I climbed a mountain and sat and watched the sunset, then headed back to the car; I was greeted with the sound of coyotes the entire walk back. This is a great place to start, or, if you live nearby, a great place to get exercise on a regular basis.
Phoenix Mountains Preserve - Phoenix Mountains Preserve is another one you can't skip if you are talking about Phoenix hikes. Everyone knows Piestewa Peak. You really can't call yourself a hiker if you're from Phoenix and haven't hiked it. Sure, there are plenty of other hikes in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, but Piestewa is the one everyone talks about. It's a great challenge and has great views - but that comes at the price of large crowds.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park - Yes, McDowell Mountain Regional Park is technically in Phoenix, but close enough. This is yet another of those places you can pick what difficulty you want when it comes to trails. Tom's Thumb is definitely the most well known hike in the McDowell's, and it makes for a satisfying and challenging hike.
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