Guide to the best things to do
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South Mountain Park and Preserve, a few miles south of downtown Phoenix and buttressing urban neighborhoods such as Laveen and Ahwatukee Foothills, is one of the largest municipal parks in the country.
Covering over 16,000 acres and containing over 50 miles of trails, South Mountain Park has recreation opportunities for everyone. You can hike, mountain bike and ride horseback.
The mountain was significant to ancient people as well. The Hohokam people, who lived in the Salt and Gila river valleys hundreds of years ago, left their mark in the form of petroglyphs. Visitors who look carefully can spot them along several trails.
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South Mountain Park has ‘a sense of wilderness’
Jerry Owens, who has been a Phoenix park ranger for over six years, loves that South Mountain Park gives visitors a feeling of being deep in the desert.
“I think it might be the only place in Phoenix where you can find yourself out on a trail and still get a feeling of a sense of wilderness.” Owens said.
“If you hike midweek in the western part of the park along the National Trail or some of the other trails there, you really get the feeling that you are in a remote place. And that’s pretty special.”
The Arizona Republic talked to Owens to learn more about South Mountain Park. Here’s our guide to its trails, history and other highlights.
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Can you drive up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout?
If you want to see impressive views of the Valley without hiking, you can drive up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout. It’s about 5.5 miles one way up the curving road, with city views and desert scenery. There are benches and shade structures at the lookout.
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What is Silent Sunday at South Mountain?
The fourth Sunday of each month is Silent Sunday at South Mountain Park.
Summit Road, the main roadway, is closed to motorized traffic from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. so people can use it for walking, jogging and biking. Park at the Activity Complex at 10919 S. Central Ave.
Visitors can still access the trailheads and picnic areas in the lower areas of the park.
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Best South Mountain trails for mountain biking
Desert Classic Trail: Owens said the Desert Classic is one of the most popular trails for mountain bikers. It’s 8.8 miles one way, is considered easy and can be reached from the Pima Canyon Trailhead on the east side of the park. The trailhead is at 4500 E. Pima Canyon Road and has restrooms and water fountains.
Dirt Road Trail: This trail is 1.2 miles one way and is also accessible via the Pima Canyon Trailhead. Owens says many mountain bikers ride down the dirt road, which is easy, and continue on up the National Trail, which is challenging.
Mormon Loop Trail: Start at the Mormon trailhead. This 6.2-mile loop is considered moderately challenging. You can connect to the National Trail from here by riding south from the Mormon Trailhead.
Note: The National Trail is 16 miles one way and can be reached from several access points. For more information visit https://www.phoenix.gov/parks.
Best South Mountain petroglyph hikes
Thousands of petroglyphs can be found in over 100 sites, Owens said. These rock carvings were made by the Hohokam people, who lived and farmed in the basin of the Salt and Gila rivers between 300 and 1500 AD. They are renowned for their extensive irrigation canals along the rivers.
No evidence suggests that the people lived on South Mountain but their petroglyphs suggest that they hunted and gathered in the area. You might see images resembling mountain sheep and other four-legged animals, snakes, lizards, circles and spirals.
Owens reminds hikers to look from afar and to not touch the petroglyphs or climb the rocks as fingerprints can deteriorate the ancient markings.
Holbert Trail: This trail is 2.3 miles one way, is considered difficult and has a 1,100-foot elevation change. It can be reached from the park’s main entrance on Central Avenue. From the trailhead, the first petroglyphs are visible within 30 to 50 yards. You’ll need to keep an eye out, as they are not easy to spot. The main sets of petroglyphs begin about a quarter-mile in and are done by the half-mile point.
Kiwanis Trail: This 2-mile round trip trail is considered moderate. At the top of the trail, the hike can be extended by another 0.6 mile round trip by crossing the road to the National Trail for a short but steep climb to the Telegraph Pass lookout.
Underrated hikes at South Mountain Park
Judith Tunell Accessible Trail: One of Owens’ favorite walks is the Judith Tunell Accessible Trail. This easy, 2-mile figure eight loop is accessible from the South Mountain Environmental Education Center at the Central Avenue entrance.
Owens says visitors will enjoy a beautiful little plateau, desert vegetation, petroglyphs and ramadas. There’s a water fountain halfway through the loop.
According to Keyera Williams, public information officer for the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, the first loop of the Judith Tunell Trail is ADA compliant. The farther loop across the bridge is considered an ADA challenge trail with some slopes at greater than 5%.
Wildflower loop: This 3-mile easy to moderate route is a prime place to see wildflowers in spring, Owens said.
Start at the Five Tables Trailhead at 10214 S. Central Ave. Head south on the Ranger Trail, west on the Las Lomitas Trail, north to the Max Delta Trail, west on the Bajada Trail and back east on Bajada to the Ranger Trail.
Top of the World: Another of Owens’ favorite treks is one he calls Top of the World. It’s a 5-mile loop that’s considered moderate to difficult, and also starts at the Five Tables trailhead. It combines several trails, so make sure you are comfortable with following a complicated route.
Go uphill on the Ranger Trail to the top of the mountain’s ridgeline, then east on the National Trail to the Summit Road crossing, then down the Kiwanis Trail. Here hikers will encounter a beautiful canyon and some petroglyphs.
Follow the trail to the Kiwanis trailhead parking lot, then head west down the wash to the Las Lomitas Trail to the Ranger Trail and back to your vehicle at Five Tables.
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Horseback riding at South Mountain Park
While all trails city-wide are open to horseback riding, according to the Phoenix Parks website, some South Mountain trails are not recommended for horses:
- Desert Classic Trail, which is heavily used by mountain bikers.
- Alta Trail, extremely steep on each end.
- Hau‘Pal Trail, also extremely steep.
- Holbert and Mormon trails, also steep and heavily used by hikers.
The following South Mountain Park trails are recommended for equestrians. For more information visit https://www.phoenix.gov/parks.
- Beverly Canyon Trail: Highly recommended. Use the Beverly Canyon trailhead.
- Javelina Trail: Use the Beverly Canyon trailhead.
- Pima Wash Trail: Highly recommended. Use the Pima Canyon trailhead.
- Pima East and West loops: Use the Pima Canyon or Beverly Canyon trailhead.
- Ranger Trail: The lower section of this trail is highly recommended and can be reached from the Equestrian Area in the park. Many riders like to make a loop using the Ranger, Bajada, Max Delta and Cross Cut Trails.
- Bajada Trail: Accessed from the Equestrian Area by way of the Ranger Trail. It takes riders into the San Juan area of South Mountain Park.
If you’re interested in a guided trail ride, Owens recommends Ponderosa Stables, just outside the park’s Central Avenue entrance.
Rides vary from one hour to a full day and cost $60-$90. Children ages 2-5 can ride with an adult; 6 is the minimum age to ride alone.
Details: 602-268-1261, https://www.arizona-horses.com.
Where is South Mountain located?
At more than 16,000 acres and over 50 miles of trails, South Mountain Park and Preserve can be accessed in many ways.
The main entrance is at 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. There are 12 official trailheads and many unofficial access points. Owens suggest that hikers have a destination in mind before driving. And keep in mind that most of the trail access points are not staffed and have no services.
“Preparation is everything,” Owens said. “People just come and don’t do any research ahead of time.
“They get to a trailhead and they don’t run into a ranger and that sometimes leads to problems or dissatisfied adventurers. It’s much better if people do their prep ahead of time.”
After you’ve done your trail research, do these things to prepare for your outing:
- Make sure your preferred trail suits your hiking or riding ability.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks.
- Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. That includes a hat and sunscreen.
To learn more about how to prepare for your visit, check out Phoenix Parks’ Take a hike. Do it right initiative.
South Mountain Park
When: 5 a.m.-7 p.m. daily for all entrances. Trails are open until 11 p.m.
Where: Main entrance is at 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. The Pima Canyon entrance is at 9904 S. 48th St., Phoenix.
Admission: Free.
Details: 602-262-7393, https://www.phoenix.gov/parks.
You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at [email protected] or you can also follow her on Twitter.
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