Outdoor Activities in Phoenix

Rock Climbing at Camelback Mountain and the Superstitions

The Echo Canyon side of Camelback Mountain has bolted sport routes on volcanic rock in the 5.6 to 5.10 range, and you'll find groups of climbers most cool-season mornings. For trad climbing and longer multi-pitch routes, the Superstition Wilderness about 45 minutes east of the city offers more serious terrain on welded tuff. The Flatiron approach involves some Class 3 scrambling. Bring a helmet for the Superstitions. Rockfall is a real concern in those crumbling canyon walls.

Difficulty

Moderate to Advanced

Duration

Half day to full day

Best season

November through March

Mountain Biking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in north Scottsdale covers over 30,000 acres of protected desert and currently has more than 225 miles of multi-use trails. The Pemberton Trail is a popular 15-mile loop that rolls through rocky desert terrain with some technical sections. Gateway Loop offers a shorter 4.5-mile introduction. The soil is decomposed granite with embedded rock, so hardtail bikes tend to get rattled. Full suspension helps. Trailheads at Brown's Ranch and Gateway are the busiest.

Difficulty

Easy to Intermediate depending on trail

Duration

2 to 4 hours

Best season

October through April

Road Cycling on the Canal Paths

Phoenix has roughly 180 miles of canal paths, mostly flat paved or packed-gravel surfaces following the old Salt River Project irrigation canals. The Arizona Canal path runs about 46 miles east to west through Scottsdale and north Phoenix. The Grand Canal connects downtown Phoenix to Tempe. These paths stay cooler than open roads because of the mature trees along certain stretches, though shade is inconsistent. You'll share the path with joggers and dog walkers, especially near Arcadia and Old Town Scottsdale.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

1 to 3 hours

Best season

October through May

Trail Running in South Mountain Park

South Mountain Park and Preserve spans over 16,000 acres, making it one of the largest municipal parks in the country. The National Trail runs roughly 14.3 miles end to end across the ridge. Most trail runners tackle shorter out-and-back sections, and the Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley loop covers about 4 miles with enough elevation change to keep it honest. The footing is rocky in most spots. Road shoes won't cut it. Trail runners with good grip and rock plates are worth the investment here.

Difficulty

Moderate to Difficult

Duration

1 to 4 hours

Best season

October through April

Horseback Riding in the Tonto National Forest

Several outfitters near the Apache Trail run guided horseback rides into the Tonto National Forest northeast of the city. MacDonald's Ranch in north Scottsdale offers 1- to 2-hour desert rides that stay relatively flat. The Saguaro Lake Ranch runs rides along the Salt River with views of the Four Peaks Wilderness. Rides tend to cost between $50 and $100 per hour depending on group size. The horses know the trails well, which makes these accessible for beginners, but the summer heat shuts most operations down from June through September.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Duration

1 to 3 hours

Best season

November through March

Hot Air Ballooning over the Sonoran Desert

Phoenix is one of the more active ballooning cities in the U.S., partly because the calm morning air in the desert creates predictable flying conditions from October through May. Most flights launch around sunrise from north Scottsdale or north Phoenix and drift over fields of saguaros for about 60 to 90 minutes. Expect to pay $200 to $300 per person. Rainbow Ryders and Hot Air Expeditions are two of the longer-running operators in the area. Landings are in open desert, so wear closed-toe shoes.

Difficulty

Easy (passenger activity)

Duration

3 to 4 hours including setup and champagne

Best season

October through April

Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail

The Echo Canyon Trail climbs about 1,280 feet in 1.2 miles to the 2,704-foot summit of Camelback Mountain. That's steep by any measure. The trail includes handrail-assisted rock scrambles in the upper section and exposed ridgeline walking near the top. Expect company. This is likely the most popular summit hike in the Phoenix metro area, and the parking lot at the Echo Canyon trailhead fills before 7 a.m. on cool-season weekends. Bring more water than you think you'll need.

Difficulty

Difficult (steep, exposed, Class 2-3 scrambling)

Duration

1.5 to 3 hours round trip

Best season

October through April

Piestewa Peak Summit Trail (Trail 300)

Piestewa Peak rises to 2,608 feet and the Summit Trail covers about 1.2 miles one way with roughly 1,190 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well-maintained with stone steps in the steeper sections, though the final push to the summit involves some hand-over-foot rock work. It's a notch less technical than Camelback but still a solid workout. The Dreamy Draw area at the base has a few easier connector trails if you want to extend the outing on flatter ground.

Difficulty

Moderate to Difficult

Duration

1.5 to 2.5 hours round trip

Best season

October through April

Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail, Superstition Wilderness

The Siphon Draw Trail starts at Lost Dutchman State Park, about 40 miles east of central Phoenix. The route to the Flatiron covers roughly 5.6 miles round trip with about 2,800 feet of total elevation gain. The first mile is gentle desert walking. Then the trail enters a narrow canyon with pour-offs that require scrambling. The final approach to the Flatiron summit involves exposed Class 3 terrain on loose rock. This is not a beginner hike. People get rescued here regularly, especially in warm weather. Lost Dutchman charges a $7 per vehicle entry fee.

Difficulty

Difficult (Class 3 scrambling, significant exposure)

Duration

4 to 6 hours round trip

Best season

November through March

Tom's Thumb Trail, McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Tom's Thumb Trail runs about 4.4 miles round trip with around 1,100 feet of elevation gain, ending at a distinctive granite spire in the McDowell Mountains. The trail crosses several washes before climbing through boulder fields. Footing is rocky but manageable for anyone comfortable on uneven terrain. The Tom's Thumb formation itself sits at about 3,400 feet and gives clear views north toward the Verde River valley. Trailhead parking at the north end of 128th Street fills on weekends.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

2 to 3 hours round trip

Best season

October through April

Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout, South Mountain

Holbert Trail climbs about 2.5 miles one way with roughly 600 feet of gain to Dobbins Lookout, the highest accessible point in South Mountain Park. The trail passes a set of Hohokam petroglyphs in the first half mile, which is worth pausing for. The grade stays manageable throughout, with a few switchbacks near the top. You can also drive to Dobbins Lookout via Summit Road, so the overlook itself tends to be crowded even when the trail isn't. Views from the top stretch across the entire Salt River Valley.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Duration

2 to 3 hours round trip

Best season

October through April

Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle, Superstition Wilderness

The Peralta Trail covers about 4.6 miles round trip with 1,350 feet of elevation gain, ending at Fremont Saddle with a direct view of Weaver's Needle, a 4,553-foot volcanic spire. The trail follows Peralta Canyon through thick desert vegetation. Saguaros crowd the slopes, and in a good wildflower year (typically late March), the canyon floor turns orange with Mexican gold poppies. The trailhead is about an hour's drive east of Phoenix via US-60 and Peralta Road, the last stretch of which is unpaved but passable for most vehicles.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

2.5 to 4 hours round trip

Best season

November through April

Kayaking the Lower Salt River

The Lower Salt River flows through the Tonto National Forest northeast of Mesa, with a popular put-in at Water Users Recreation Area near the Granite Reef Dam. The river runs through high desert terrain with red cliffs and tamarisk-lined banks. Current is gentle in most sections, making it suitable for beginners in sit-on-top kayaks. Wild horses from the Salt River herd appear along the banks fairly often. Expect to see them grazing near Coon Bluff or Phon D Sutton Recreation Area. A Tonto Pass ($8 daily) is required for parking at forest recreation sites. Several outfitters near Mesa rent kayaks for about $35 to $55 per day.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate (depending on water level)

Duration

3 to 5 hours for a typical section

Best season

April through September (water flow dependent)

Swimming and Cliff Jumping at Fossil Creek

Fossil Creek, about 90 miles north of Phoenix near Strawberry, runs year-round thanks to a natural spring system that pushes out roughly 20,000 gallons per minute at a constant 72°F. The creek pools up below travertine dams, creating natural swimming holes with clear blue-green water. A free permit from Recreation.gov is required for day use between April and October. Permits release on a rolling basis and sell out quickly. The hike from the Waterfall trailhead to the main swimming area covers about 1.5 miles with 1,400 feet of elevation change on the return. The grade is steep enough to feel it on the climb out.

Difficulty

Moderate (steep access trail)

Duration

Full day trip

Best season

May through September (permit required April-October)

Stand-Up Paddleboarding on Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake sits about 40 minutes northeast of Mesa on the Salt River chain, surrounded by steep canyon walls that reach about 1,500 feet above the waterline. The lake tends to be calmer in the morning before afternoon winds pick up. Saguaro Lake Marina rents SUP boards and kayaks. A Tonto Pass is required. The Butcher Jones Recreation Area on the north shore has a beach-like entry point that works well for launching paddleboards. On calm mornings, the canyon reflections on the water surface are genuinely striking.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 to 4 hours

Best season

March through November

Tubing the Salt River

Salt River Tubing operates the commercial tube rental concession on the Lower Salt River from roughly May through September, depending on water levels. The operation runs buses from a staging area in northeast Mesa to put-in points upstream. A typical float takes 2 to 4 hours. The river bottom is rocky in spots, so water shoes matter. Tubes rent for about $21 per person as of the 2024-2025 season. Weekends in June draw large crowds. Glass containers are banned on the river. If you want a quieter experience, go on a weekday morning.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 to 4 hours

Best season

May through September (operations seasonal)

Fishing at Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is the smallest of the 4 Salt River Project reservoirs on the Apache Trail, about 55 miles northeast of Phoenix. The lake sits in a narrow canyon with steep walls and clear water. It holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout (stocked in winter), and catfish. The Dolly Steamboat runs narrated tours of the lake, but anglers with their own boats can launch at the Canyon Lake Marina. Shore fishing access is limited due to the canyon terrain. An Arizona fishing license is required. The drive out on State Route 88 (the Apache Trail) is partly unpaved and narrow, with significant drop-offs.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate (boat access recommended)

Duration

Half day to full day

Best season

October through April for trout, year-round for bass

Spread across 140 acres in Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden holds more than 50,000 plants from desert regions worldwide. The Desert Wildflower Loop Trail peaks in March and early April, when brittlebush and penstemon are blooming across the hillsides. The smell of creosote after a winter rain here is something you don't forget. Evening flashlight tours run seasonally and attract a different crowd than the daytime visitors.

Highlights: Seasonal wildflower bloom (March-April), Chihuly-style art installations, butterfly pavilion in autumn, 5 themed trails including the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert loop

Papago Park covers 1,500 acres of red sandstone buttes and desert scrub between Phoenix and Tempe. The Hole-in-the-Rock formation is the most photographed spot, a short scramble up to a natural opening in the butte with wide views of the valley. The park also contains the Phoenix Zoo and the botanical garden, but the open desert sections to the east see fewer people. Ramada areas fill up fast on winter weekends.

Highlights: Hole-in-the-Rock geological formation, the Eliot Ramada picnic area, fishing at the park's small stocked lagoons, easy 2-mile loop trails through desert scrub

South Mountain is the backbone of Phoenix's outdoor identity. At over 16,000 acres, the preserve contains roughly 51 miles of trail for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Dobbins Lookout at 2,330 feet offers the widest view of the metro area and is accessible by car via Summit Road. The vegetation shifts noticeably as you climb, from creosote flats to mixed desert scrub with jojoba and triangle-leaf bursage.

Highlights: Dobbins Lookout (2,330 ft), the National Trail ridgeline traverse, petroglyphs near the Holbert Trail, Mormon Loop for intermediate mountain biking

Encanto Park sits in a 1930s-era neighborhood near midtown Phoenix and feels like a time capsule. The park has a small lake for pedal boating, a public pool, and a band shell that still hosts events. Mature palm trees and Aleppo pines provide actual shade, which is notable in a city where shade is currency. The boathouse rents pedal boats for around $12 per half hour.

Highlights: Enchanted Island Amusement Park (small, family-oriented), pedal boats on the lake, public swimming pool open May through September, shaded walking paths under mature trees

Tucked along the south side of Margaret T. Hance Park downtown, this 3.5-acre garden was built as a collaboration between Phoenix and its sister city Himeji, Japan. The garden centers on a koi pond fed by a stone waterfall, with tea ceremony demonstrations held periodically. It's small but deliberately paced. The stone pathways, clipped plantings, and lack of desert aesthetic make it feel removed from the surrounding city. Admission runs about $7 for adults.

Highlights: Koi pond with over 300 fish, seasonal tea ceremony events, 12-foot waterfall, stone lanterns modeled on Himeji garden originals

Dreamy Draw sits at the southern edge of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, right where the Squaw Peak Freeway (SR 51) cuts through the ridgeline. It's more of a trailhead hub than a manicured park, with access to the Perl Charles Memorial Trail (a flat gravel path good for joggers and cyclists) and the steeper trails heading north into the preserve. The area gets its name from a 1950s dam built for flood control. Mornings here smell like dry brush and warm granite.

Highlights: Access point for the 100 Trail and Trail 304, Perl Charles Memorial Trail (3.5-mile paved loop), off-leash dog areas near the parking lot, connections to the Arizona Canal path