Before every hike make sure to bring plenty of water with you! It is recommended that you do not hike alone and if you do, let someone know what time you expect to be back.
#1. McDowell Mountain Regional Park
The trail covers about 3 miles of fairly flat terrain and offers an up-close look at some of the desert landscape’s natural vegetation and wildlife.
Cost: $6 per vehicle
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., MMRP, AZ 85268
#2 Papago Park
A walk through this 1,200-acre park will give also give beginner hikers access to popular Phoenix landmarks such as the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden along Papago’s Big Butte Loop Trail, which is among the easier trails in the park.
625 N Galvin Parkway
#3. North Mountain Park
North Mountain, located in North Phoenix, boasts several trails rated from easy — like the Penny Howe Barrier-Free Nature Trail — to difficult — like North Mountain National Trail.
12950 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, AZ 85022
#4. South Mountain
Cutting across the lower edge of Phoenix, the South Mountains offer rugged, untamed wilderness, a spectacular view of the city and desert. Here you can follow the Holbert trailhead for a 2.5-mile uphill hiking route ascending 1,100 feet with panoramic valley views.
10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042
#5. Lake Pleasant Regional Park
For those in the West Valley, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers great scenery, nice camping spots, water activities from swimming to boating, and hiking trails around the lake that range from easy to moderate.
Take I-17 north to Carefree Highway (SR 74). Travel 15 miles west on Carefree Highway and then turn at Castle Hot Spring Road. Travel north to Lake Pleasant Regional Park entrance.
