South Mountain Park Reviews

100% will return. One of the most beautiful places I've been in my life. The only constructive thing I would say is that better signage to follow to get to XYZ trail or lookout for drivers would be useful.

There are some great and memorable hikes tucked away in the near urban mountain preserve. Some of my favorites include the Alta Trail, a challenging (in the heat) 1,200’ climb up a rugged ridge, Fat Man Pass with its hidden petroglyphs, and the venerable National Trail that follows the spine of South Mountain east and west. I wish they would reopen San Juan Road to make access to the Alta and Bajada Trails easier; however, otherwise I have no complaints. A beautiful and surprisingly interesting mountain park.

An awesome view of Phoenix. Worth the drive and not a time waster. Locals provide interesting souvenirs and will share their persomal history of the valley.

I’d heard about the masses of tourists at Camelback Mountain, so opted for the more sprawling, less visited South Mountain area. I hiked the Ranger Trail up to one of the peaks (about an hour up, 40 minutes down), and I saw only two other hikers the entire time. This is a beautiful place to hike the desert and experience the flora and fauna. There are many routes here. I took Uber from downtown to the trail head, cost about $12 one way.

Well kept. Easy to get to. A Variety of things to do. Well kept. Nice location. Fun times. Has everything available at the site that you need and expect at a park. Good family, couples or friends destination.

I loved this beautiful mountain hike. We hiked up the Hobart trail leaving the parking lot at 240 pm. We stopped a lot for pictures and for breaks for me. We were concerned because sunset was at 535pm. But we made it to the lookout point and then walked back down making it to the car at 530 pm.
So worth the hike. It is rated moderate. Tiring but not difficult.

Enjoyed a desert walk and a drive up to the top to take in a view of the valley. Worth the visit. The desert walk was hot for these northerners on our first day in AZ and we're glad we took plenty of water. The drive provided a great view of the valley and an introduction to the geography. Stop at the visitor center for some good information and to refill water.

Stunning views, winding, narrow drives, almost countless places to hike. Yes, it can be busy so don't come here if you are in a hurry. But if you take your time, you will have wonderful experience seeing what much of this land was like before development started - and you will have incredible views of how far development has gone throughout the valley.

My real job often takes me up various mountains in Arizona including South Mountain. It is great for simply being simple. The roads are paved and well maintained, the entire park is clean, there isn't crowds of people or traffic jamming up the road heading up or down. From the ridge, you get a great view of the whole valley. The farmlands to the south and the whole city to the north. There's hiking trails and bicyclists on a regular basis, and plenty of convenience stores at the base of the park. It's fun and easy for any casual activity.

This is a short drive from downtown Phoenix. The view at the top is tremendous. Curvy paved roads take you to the top. The park is well kept. Don’t forget your camera.

The terrain here is very dry & barren as is the rest of the desert area. The park does provide great views of the Phoenix valley.

Great place to spend a couple hours and enjoy a beautiful view of the whole city. Multiple look out points to check out, it will take you about 15-20 minutes to drive up to the look outs depending on the amount of traffic. I'd recommend going on a sunny day, as the day we went it was overcast and was quite cold with the wind. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your time up there.

We drove up on the winding and twisting road with no guardrails in places. It was a little scary, but we made it up okay. The views were beautiful, and although it was a hot day, it was cooler up on top. There were several different viewpoints, and at one of them, Native Americans were selling handmade jewelry and ornaments.

South Mountain Park is a very attractive tourist destination, just a short drive south on Central Ave from the downtown Phoenix; the road up to the mountain top is well-marked (but very winding!), it's very scenic too - huge rocks and various old cacti on both sides. On top of the park the views of the beautiful Salt River Valley and Phoenix metro area , as well as of the long mountain ranges to the north of the city are breathtaking! Provided the weather is clear.

I also found the view of Ahwatukee Village at the East Valley (southern bottom of the park) spectacular and memorable.

South Mountain Park is quite famous for its almost 60 miles of hiking trails, that are also properly marked and well-maintained. It was an unplanned visit to the park, so we really enjoyed visiting and exploring this place. Even talked to a local, very friendly hiker.

Free parking on flat top area of the park was quite spacious, safe and easy.

There are so many options for hiking, mountain biking or just drinking in the view, but do your research so you don't overestimate your resilience in the dry heat. Catch the petroglyph rock at the bottom of the south mountains, catch the incredible views at the top of Dobbins Lookout. Bring plenty of water with you and enjoy!

The view below was beautiful. However, the winding road to get to the top sucked. We had no idea it was that long or that winding. Our daughter got sick and puked in the van on the way up. The trails looked good for an armature, but not so much for young kids. Of course I was told they could do it. Some of the trails, one misstep, and down a steep embankment you go! Be prepared to drive 30 minutes around winding roads to get to the top.

Trails start 3 blocks from our home and then up you go surrounded by the beautiful Sonoran desert. Thanks to the City of Phoenix for maintaining this precious resource. New trail heads and interpretive centers going in. Can't wait to see the results

Hiked the trails off 19th and also Central several times during vacation. Trails take you up approximately 2,000 Feet, but are not to difficult. Nice views of the city. Saw a rattlesnake on a trail near 19th Ave - a little scary, but thankfully that’s the only one we saw all week! Walk early in the morning and take extra water...it gets very hot!!

We hiked the telegraph Pass Trail and it was really cool! Good incline and cool views of the city. Not too long! We were staying at an Airbnb right down the street so I was able to walk there and then hike and then walk back. That was pretty!

During our trip to Arizona we were lucky to rent a house which had a direct access to this park (Ahwatukee area) and which eliminated a need to drive or fight for parking. Being so close to this amazing place we could go for hikes in early mornings or late at night or at any time we wanted too. This park is truly a wonderful place! It has a variety of trails for various difficulty levels but also is very family friendly. The views are stunning! We hope to be back.

My husband and I visited AZ to explore and hike. All of our hikes varied greatly in terrain and vistas. See my reviews! Here's our list: Treasure Loop in the Superstitions, Peralta in Gold Canyon, Cathedral Rock & Soldiers Pass & West Fork Oak Creek in Sedona, and FINALLY this trail the afternoon before flying home. We did the Mormon trail to the Hidden Valley ( or National). You hike up Mormon till you reach a sort of plateau and then complete a loop that has a natural tunnel formed by the rock and Fat Man's Pass. These two features are the most interesting during the hike as well as the later afternoon overlooks of the city of Phoenix. Be prepared for lots of other hikers and very dry rocky terrain. Wear good stable shoes. I am not positive, but it appeared that the time of day we chose was good in terms of sun position. A lot of the hike up and down was shaded because the sun was already going down behind the rocks. Its a workout to the top but worth it. There was only one part that one of my party was confused on the direction. At one point in the loop portion, you actually have to climb up to the left of a large rock, cross over the top of it and you will find the path continues. ( There may be another similar example later as well...cant remember) The majority of the loop is pretty clear though.

This is a must when you visit Phoenix. The drive is stunning with every twist and turn, of which there are a lot! Once you've made it to the top the views are endless AND you realize you're higher than the airplanes landing at Sky Harbor. You can hike around the area, we're not hikers so we stay on solid ground...LOL. The view gives you a great perspective of Phoenix and even on a hot day the breezes are great.

We hiked about 5-6 miles and thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful area. Very few people and well-marked trails. Recommend!

If you can handle windy car rides, the very from Dobbin's lookout is perfect at sunset. Beware of coyotes!

There are many great hiking trails here, or you can go horseback. If you are not into so much exercise , it is a beautiful drive up to the top. you can see all of Phoenix from here.

Amazing heat and terrain - this was a wonderful place to start a visit to Phoenix. Just before the entrance to the park is a lovely little derelict area - nice for photographs in itself.

Beautiful hike and views. The first bit was steep. Bring lots of water. It was warm in the morning. We had a good time.

Before our ball game that afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium , we decided to check out the park. Parking lot small, they do have more parking along the road but get there early if you don't want to hike a mile to get to the trails. I wish we had more time to fully enjoy the trails , next time we are in the area we will allow more time. Only thing I couldn't figure out was why do the dog owners leave their doggie poop bags on the side of the trails? Thankful that they bag it up but shouldn't you be taking it with you and dispose of it properly?

The trail system appears to meet a variety of needs for hikers and bikers. We only had time for a short hike but were able to get in a little elevation and distance. Mid morning had a few hikers and no bikers, late afternoon appeared to bring speed and intensity enthusiasts.we stayed close by the trail system so easy on easy off. Nice quiet area ( even though it was spring break)

This is a great alternative to attempting the hike up Camelback Mountain. You are able to drive up the super fun windy road right to the top for a stunning view of the whole valley and all the surrounding area. While we did not hike any of the trials we say many different areas where you could park and go on a hike.

What a place! So many options for hikes and the drive takes you right to the stunning view-points. This is a place both for people that want to experience outdoor and fantastic view.

I went for a late evening hike after work. Great way to relax and leave the city behind and grab some exercise. I used a flashlight on the way back in the dark and I felt totally safe.

Great views of the greater Phoenix area. Lots of hiking trails, bicycling routes and picnic spots. Definitely worth a visit if you have a few days here.
Hours: 5:00am to 11:00 pm.
Bring water and sunscreen.

It has nice views but parking on the way to the top of the mountain is very scarce, so it's hard to get out of your car to look around.

Believe the trail ratings, they are spot on. The trails are well maintained and marked but many require scrambling and jumping. Traction can an issue for fogies.

I've been hiking South Mountain for 30 years. Yesterday my husband and I did over 10 miles on the Mountain and it was beautiful. Since it was very hot, only a handful of hikers and bikers were out and about. There is no place to get water on the mountain so bringing enough water is very important. It's a moderately hard hike in places, but pretty easy in most.

I was heading to Yuma. My flight option were one connection to Phoenix or two to Yuma (ironically 2nd would be Phoenix either way). The extra travel time by air was 3 hours, and that's about the drive to Yuma. It's been since I was a kid that I drove through the desert, so I was all-in on the idea when I realized it was a cheaper option for me and I could easily justify it with my employer. I figured rather than sitting in my hotel room in Yuma that night I arrived, I'd arrive Phoenix around lunch time, hike mid-day, and drive at dusk. I'm so glad I did and will have this memory for the rest of my life. While Phoenix is not my kind of town to live there, I loved being in the desert for a couple days. It was October, so even then, it was 95+ at the heat of the day... which was when I was hiking. But I've learned to overprepare and that gave me no issues... plenty of water! Which when getting right off a plane is tricky, but bringing some empty bottles or spending a few bucks at a grocery/convenience store does the trick.

But this hike had all the desert neat things you think of as a kid... Saguaro cacti, pincushion, big rocks, dusty trails, little lizards.... It was me fulfilling that childhood sense of adventure inside. Just no snakes. I really was hoping to see a rattler. And the beauty part of it is that unless you really overdo it and underplan, or can't get into grave trouble here. I had an aggressive kind of out and back/ circle route, and at the far end I was getting turned around. I didn't buy any maps if any where available. Just some I printed from google and the park website, so I was wandering a little bit. But being that this mountain is a long ridge, just popped right up out of the flat desert, all I had to do was go to the high point, and I'd see either Phoenix, or the suburb south and be fine.

Plan for a liter a mile, find some map. Start early in the day, for wandering around in the dark would get tricky (and the cooler temps likely would mean the rattlers would come out). And you will have a great hike. The view from top was wonderful. Being in the desert when you are from the green areas of OH and PA is an amazing thing. And to fit it in on a business trip (which I don't relish being away from my family if I don't really have to be) made it all the better use of my time.

Fun drive up a desert road to top with good views. Would recommend to others for a quick and different hour close to town.

Went to South Mountain Park to drive the road up to the scenic lookout for a view of the city. Surprised to find the road closed to motor vehicles. Disappointed that the city doesn’t care that the old, handicapped, or out of shape people would like to enjoy the park too. Naturally, there are many sights only accessible by foot trail, but when you already have a road, please let the disabled use it.

Amazing view. Wasn’t too busy but then again was there around noon on a weekday. Bring hand sanitizer if you need to use the facilities. No sinks.

When you get to the top of the mountain, the views of Phoenix and the surrounding areas is outstanding. The drive up there is interesting but the view is worth it!

A nice paved walking path is you start at the South Mountain trailhead just north of Ahwatukee area! Gorgeous views! You can walk along the bottom of the mountain or climb to the top, which takes you to Dobbins Lookout!

Enjoyable ride up the mountain to the highest elevation of 2330 ft. Great views from the top of Phoenix and the surrounding area.

Definitely a must see location. Outstanding views of the whole Phoenix area. Nice area to explore and gaze.

This is a huge park with hiking trails and has a scenic drive to the top. Dobbins Point, at the top is the place to get some awesome views overlooking the valley.The sunsets are absolutely spectacular and provide many photo opportunities. I have been here a few times and whenever I have visitors from out of state,this is always one of the places I take people to share the fantastic views.

Trails well marked, has trails for everyone, amazing views in every direction, loved that the trails were natural. I am an inexperienced hiker and this was a great park for me.

My rating actually depends on when you visit the park. It is a great place to hike and explore but a beautiful weekend day probably not the best time especially if you are hiking anywhere near a road. Noise from exhaust enhanced mufflers from motorcycles and cars mare the solitude of this beautiful park. Also there doesn’t seem to be any attempt to enforce the 25 mph speed limit. We have gone during the week and it is much better.

A great place for sunset. Not really far from the city. You can drive straight to the top or go hiking. No car on Sunday (silent day).

Really enjoyed the many trails and views in this park. Had never explored it so was pleasantly surprised and happy I didn't get totally lost! lol

We went with our camera club for pictures. There was a race that day & the road to the top was closed. We were disappointed, but were able to do some hiking & picture taking. The stabled looked interesting, but no one rode. We will go back, but make sure the road to the top is open.

Everyone in the family from young to old had a good time on our hike at South Mountain. There are short paved trails with lots of benches sand great views, or more rustic off the trail paths as well. And you can always look back and see great views of the valley.

Great park with easy hikes and some paved trails. Areas to stop and have a rest along the way as well as water fountains for people and the dogs. Great idea! Took a drive up to Dobbins look out. Spectacular views of Phoenix and area! Great place for a hike and a picnic!

Great view over the city and beautiful sunset. The drive up takes a while, especially if you do have a slow driveri front of you. But it is worth it.

Nice little hike. I did this because I didn't find out about Echo Canyon until I was in my hotel room that night. But it was enjoyable, great scenery, enough of those little educational placards to let you know what you were looking at. I liked Echo Canyon a lot better, but that is not a hike for everyone.

Plenty of parking for weekday visits in winter, but may be full on weekends in winter. Well marked trails in a desert environment.

We set out at 7 a.m. in mid-April. The sun was already hot. We had chosen to walk the Javelina Canyon and Ridgeline trails, shown on Alltrails.com. It is marked on that site as 3.4 miles. On mapmywalk.com it turned out to be 4.1 miles. That extra distance could be a struggle for some in the hot Arizona sun. DO START EARLY! The parking lot at the end of S 46th Street, off E Baseline was already busy before 7 a.m. The Canyon trails, both Javelina and Beverly, are busy with mountain bikers. In the main, they were polite and careful, but they were constant, so one needs to keep an eye out. We chose to walk in a counter-clockwise direction, going along Javelina and back on Ridgeline. This worked if one could become demoralised by the roller-coaster that is the Ridgeline trail. But if your energy peaks early, it might be best to go up the ridge first and walk the gentler slope of the canyon back to the car. There is no shade, bar a few handy little saplings and a couple of rocky outcrops. Wear sunscreen! Pack water. We saw several coyotes which seemed unconcerned by humans nearby. There was plenty of birdsong. We were sorry not to have been there a month earlier when the flowers would have been lovely.

A variety of trail options for all levels. Pay attention to marker signs so you stay on the path you’ve chosen! Beautiful vistas from the top ridge! Small visitor center at trailhead. Have plenty of water!

We visited the park in January. We hiked the Mormon Trail and the Hidden Valley Trail. It was a fun and interesting hike. Appreciated the markers we could scan our phone on and check our location. Beautiful hike with huge boulders to slide down, squeeze thru, and rest on. Hiked about 4 miles. We then came back to watch the sunset at Dobbins Lookout. It was an amazing sunset! I can't wait to do it all again!

We decided to hike here because my partner and I are not very familiar with hiking. It was the perfect hike for us. Got a good amount of exercise.

very nice to explore the area on bike with stunning scenery. we took a guide to show us best spots and we were so excited in this half day trip.

We did the mormon trail to fat mans pass as well as the tunnel. A few times we thought we had strayed off the path, but seemed to still find our way! After hiking in other regional parks earlier in the week this was a nice surprise that there is no entrance fee! Also it is adjacent to a residential area so very easy to find the trail head.

10 stars for this place. It's very special and spectacular. You can spend as little as 30 minutes or as much as an entire day here. We drove the very windy, narrow road to Dobbins Lookout. The road can be a little scary but we were fortunate it was a January weekday so not a lot of traffic.
Dobbins Lookout is incredible. Lots of free parking.
When we visited in January, 2020, it was free. Not sure if this is true all year.

I'd put this park in the top 2-3 attractions of Phoenix. Amazing place.

If this is helpful, please indicate below.

There are many trails at this park. A very popular place for hikers, mountain bikers and families. Dogs are allowed too. Facillities are available and there is a park ranger on duty. Parking may be a challenge if you go later in the day; but you just drive until you see someone leaving or you may find a spot.

South mountain 🏔 park is one of the largest municipal park in the state of Arizona. Every time I try to cover one state park and this time I tired covering the Holbert Trailhead which is a moderate to difficult one. It took about 1.5 hours from start till the end with a company of lots of people on the trail about 2.5 miles of track. On the way you can see variety of flora and fauna on the way. Operating time are from Wednesday to Sunday during winter from 9am to 1pm and Saturday it’s open till 6 pm. Carry Sunglasses, hat, tissue paper, enough waters and energy bars.. Look at the map before you start the trek as there aren't multiple sign board.. Do start early in the morning before to avoid direct sun
Check for program on smeec.org as there various winter programs for the timing and fees.

OUTSTANDING Park with over 20 trails, usually very clean and very adventurous to explore. I always use my desert colored Lowa hiking boots for great traction and to protect my ankles, sand colored Stetson Hiking Cowboy hat and my desert colored Camelbak hydration pack to stay cool in the +90 degree hikes...

At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Start a visit at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center, hike, bike and ride more than 58 miles of trails, or follow the road to the top of the mountain for spectacular views.

The drive is scenic and fun to the top, with ever changing views. The drive may not be enjoyable for someone with motion sickness though.

The view at the top is also fantastic.

The reason I rate this as average is because of the questionable environment at the top. There were broken beer bottles on 50% of the trails I went on, and groups of people smoking questionable substances. The smoked drifted to the parking lot several times. The toilets also had a smell that carried throughout the parking lot.

We visited as part as a scouts events and were taken aback by the desert beauty in the "middle" of the city. Full display of AZ stunning marshmallow clouds, dark hills, exotic cactuses and picnic areas to dwell on the beauty.
Close to airport, we watch planes landing againt the scenery.
Great place!

Nice place to go from the airport to experience desert hiking for the first time. There's some very nice scenery, but compared to the rest of the hikes we took during the week, South Mountain Park ranked midrange on the Cherry Wonderdog scale. One thing that bothered me a little was the proximity of power lines and being within partial view of road traffic. But if I lived nearby, I would probably make a point of coming here on a regular basis -- perhaps to walk my dog after hours like so many other Phoenix residents we saw with their pooches.

A great city park. Easy drive to the peak with great scenic overviews of the city. Lots of hiking trails.

I love this park. It is a world away from bustling Phoenix, but right on its doorstep. Great hiking trails, petroglyphs, wildlife... and usually uncrowded.

While visiting Phoenix where we stayed very close to SMP so I was excited to do a hike and then view the valley from the top. We entered the park looking for a visitor center or some information. Nada. We had read that there were hikes of all levels and wanted to do a simple 1-2 mile hike (I like to hike, my husband amuses me with short ones.) The only map available was a large, faded one that was not easy to read but it did have a QR Code. Ha! It was outdated so we went to the city map online (This is one of the largest municipal parks in the US.) We figured signage would point us in the right direction for the hike we'd like to do. Trial head signage was few and far between and then quite a few trails were blocked off. It was a twisty, turvy ride to the top and that was worthwhile. The view was great but I couldn't imagine driving it at night so I'll just settle for the day view. You may want to take binoculars and your own toilet paper. Also the restrooms were dirty.

Beautiful and very clean park...picture perfect

Loved that you can rent horses for trail rides. We saw many ride in the beautiful dessert

We absolutely loved the beauty and variety of the trails....available to all level of hiking. I suggest access from the 18th Green of the Arizona Grand Resort that will provide immediate panoramic views of the valley with Camel Back Mountain serving as the back-drop. Start early and enjoy.

You can hike, bike, or walk. There are numerous picnic areas, many with shade. You can drive around the area if you're not into hiking. Take your own water & snacks - unknown if you can buy any there.

My first visit to Arizona was great! This trail was Moderate difficulty. It wasn't overly busy with hikers. There is rocky terrain to navigate through. There are gorgeous views all the way to the top. The 2nd half of the trail crosses a road where you hike to the stone structure in the picture.

Took friends up to look out point to see the sunset. Amazing view and desert beauty. Hiking trails are for families to enjoy. No need to be advanced hiker

Go to the top and enjoy the view of Phoenix and the surrounding area. Easy and simple drive with good signage. The views of the surrounding areas and the mountain ranges all around were Amazing!

South Mountain Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country at more than 16000 acres. We hiked the Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley in the park while visiting Phoenix. The trail has beautiful views of the city and great opportunities to see desert wildlife. The carrot tail chuckwallas are very common. There were also a lot of blister beetles. Hidden Valley is a short loop that passes through the natural tunnel and squeezes through Fat Man's Pass. There are petroglyphs near the entrance to the natural tunnel. It can very hot here and there's little shade so recommend visiting early in the morning or in the evening.

It was about a 10 minute drive up to the Buena Vista parking lot (small parking lot, maybe 15-20 cars) From here is the trail head to Hidden Valley. It is about 5-6 mile roundtrip hike, with about a 600' change in elevation. I would describe it as part easy, part moderate, with 2 spots that are a challange. Bring Water! In February the Mountain was green and dotted with colorful wildflowers. great views and interesting rock formations. Great views of downtown Phoenix, which is only 4 miles away. From what I could tell there are several different places to park and multiple trails within the mountain. But even a slow drive through it will provide some great views. We loved the hike and the Mountain!

If planning on watching the sun set, arrive early to get parking. Then enjoy for awhile and let the crowds thin out. Also- the geology is fascinating... look beneath your feet for some interesting formations.

Went of a trail combi hike (Ranger, Knee Bees & Pyramid). It was about 14 miles and took about 5 hours.
1/2 of the trail is overcrowded, but the other half pretty good.
Be aware of the heat though, it is scorching - bring extra water (and then some).

Nice place to go for a run, drive up the mountain, or just roam around on a nice day. Only problems really that I encountered were that I wish there were more pull offs on the side of the road up the mountain and more parking as well.

There are a wonderful number of trails and the park is very well-maintained, which allowed for many pictures to be taken

We were a bit challenged upon arrival because we did not know our way around and could not find a map. We went to the education center and were fortunate to run into a park ranger who was extremely helpful - he suggested we hike the Kiwanis Trail and then add on the extra 1/2 mile portion which is actually on the National Trail. This part brings you up to the ruins of a shelter/house and offers great views. It is a moderate hike with some challenging steps and completely in the sun so bring water.

This is a free park, which is a bonus especially considering the high fees for the AZ State Parks.

Love driving up here on a weekend. We go by the stables and pet the horses, visit the old Adobe ruins and just look at desert nature.

Very scenic- parks like this are often charging fees- how can you beat free. Plenty of traffic but moved smoothly- outstanding

While in Phoenix we were looking for a spot to watch the sunset and get some great views. So We headed to Dobbins lookout, the road leading to the lookout is winding but there is plenty of parking at the top, and lots of places to sit, enjoy the views and watch the sunset. We really enjoyed this gem of a spot!

Best hikes for Phoenix are here in South Mountain. Lots of trails and sign posts everywhere. It's hard to get lost. Views are gorgeous - just hike a little bit into the mountain and feel like you're somewhere else.

South mountain park is great for Mountain Bike trail riding because you can dial the distance and difficulty.

It was a beautiful, breezy day, and we were almost alone at the top. (We were there at 0930 on a Friday)

You can see the double mountain peaks that form the Arizona license plate and the whole layout of the valley. The ride is a little twisty, but not long at all...Very enjoyable trip.

This was my second visit, I was here 9 years ago, the view is still spectacular, and the toilets had been slightly upgraded....the outhouse was no longer a wooden dilapidated building, there was a concrete base....

We stayed near here and were a frequent visitor to this city run park. The windy road to the top is well worth the view. There are hiking options from easy to difficult. Be sure and stop at the Visitor center to get a map and information before your hike. Wheelchair accessible hikes available toward the back of the Visitor center.

Close to Tempe and Mesa. Did not see red rocks at this part but it is huge. If hiking is not your thing, it is very driveable.

The drive up South Mountain on a clear day is well worth your time. Just go south on Central Avenue about six miles from the city center, the main central north-south Phoenix boulevard...it enters the park and goes all the way to the top of South. Mountain, to the lookouts near the multiple communications towers. We visited on a Friday after touring the nearby Mystery Castle at the south end of 7th St. east of Central (Hint-Super!). There were no active gates nor fees on the day of our visit...easy drive in/out. Recommended.

Many options for a local trail workout and great city views. If you cannot escape to outside the city, this is a nice dessert fix with ample trails for hike and bike - miles of trails in the South Mountain network

I love this park. When you enter a trail, you leave the city behind. Walking trails have ranges of elevation gain to accommodate all levels of hikers. Equestrian and mountain biking is popular here too. I recommend researching South Mountain Park on the web to get general trail info.

This is a much easier hike than camelback, with some good views. It starts out a little tough, but once you get towards the top it is much easier and fun. We took the fat mans pass loop which ended up being just short of 5 miles total. I would recommend this to the newer hikers or someone looking for an easier hike than one of the peaks.

This is the perfect destination to get an awesome view of the entire Phoenix area. You can hike the trails, take a horseback tour, or drive to the summit for phenomenal views and scenery. Don’t visit the area without going to South Mtn Park.

Recommend not attempting after 9am. Steep with many switchbacks. The view at the top is amazing. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water.

Hiked the Kiwanis Trail in the Park. It is just over 1 mile from start to top end, then double that to hike back. It is all uphill heading from the trailhead. The hike is moderate and the trail is very well marked and not too difficult to navigate - with rocks and train timbers as stairs where needed. The hike took us about 30 minutes heading to the top and a little less coming back down. The views were amazing!

Very easy to get to, well labeled trails, easy hike/walk with great views. Purchased homemade jewelry in the parking lot.

We drove through the park and hiked a small trail on the way to Dobbins lookout. A very nice park with some very tall cacti! The first trail has a lot of informative plaques about the animals and vegetation about the area.

has some time off so I went to south mountain. I was glad i went the view of the valley was spectacular. A lot of people there but well worth the drive.

It is a long windy road to the top, but well worth it. Several spots to park and enjoy the views of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, as well as southern Arizona. Don't stay past dusk though because we saw a lot of hot rods, and young people zooming up the road to the top to party.

We weren't expecting this one. The very very windy road up the mountain offered one vista after another. The trails across the Sonoran desert were amazing. Go to one of the look offs. Amazing.

This is (I think) the largest urban park in the U.S., measuring about 25 square miles. There are I guess nearly 100 miles of hiking trails. There's a road to the top that is accessed by continuing south on Phoenix Central Street.
First visitors are encouraged to take the drive to the top, south on Central St. If you hit it on a weekend when the cops aren't too present you will find dozens of native Americans selling Zulu and Hopi and Navajo jewelry at the summit. Travel from there back down a bit and you will find the Phoenix antenna farm with a great view to the south and the Gila RIver valley. Just west of the parking lot for the antenna farm is a take-off point for para-gliders, if you catch the area on a day with the proper winds.
The hiking trails are excellent, but come prepared. Sun screen, shade hat, plenty of water, and don't overdo it. Turn back before you have to.

Hiked from the Ahwatukee side to Fat Man Pass. Terrible/nonexistent signage on the road and trails. Met another group on the trail looking for the same place. Finally had to get on our mobile phone to find the trail and had to use it the whole trip to find connecting trails. Great views from the top of the ridge but Fat Man Pass was disappointing after several hours of hiking. If you really want to see it, don't waste your time accessing it from Ahwatukee. There is a simple, well used trail from a parking lot near the radio towers.

I'm too old to hike anymore, and this park does have a number of what appear to be good hiking trails. But even for the non-hiker, there's quite a bit to see here...and the price is right -- free (unlike the regional parks, this park is owned by the city of Phoenix). For me, the joy was the views...whether looking up at South Mountain (which formally are the South Mountains)...or from taking the scenic drive to the top. Afraid of heights and sharp drop-offs? Then this may not be for you. But if you're alright with heights and drop-offs, it's a good paved road to the top, albeit with few guard rails. There are spectacular views to the south over the flat plains and the Indian Community from the overlook at the television antennas. And even better views to the north where you overlook the city of Phoenix and the entire Valley Of The Sun. It's really quite stunning. There are picnic ramadas at the base of the mountain, athletic fields, and a decent nature center. I rank this FAR, FAR better than Estrella Mountain Regional Park (not worth it), and better than the very good White Tank Mountains Regional Park. Near the entrance, be sure to stop at the ruins of an old-style convenience store, but be sure to read the history online. Very nearby is the quirky Mystery Castle.

For lovely views of Phoenix and the surrounding area, this is the place. With over 50 miles of trails, there are a variety of hiking options available. Many of the trails are mixed use (horse, trail bike, hiking) This is one of the largest Municipal parks in the country, comprised of about 15,000 acres. Some overlooks are accessible by car. Horseback riding stables are nearby.

This is a great place for a mellow hike. It’s not too challenging unless you want to go to the top of the peaks. You can stay on a variety of trails and enjoy the cactus, wildflowers and beautiful views. Bring water and a hat you will be all set!

I wasn't too sure about this park because it doesn't really get any publicity that I ever saw. We heard about it from a local and we're so glad that we did! Nice vistas (even thought he view from the top was closed for some reason), but really enjoyable just driving through the park. We stopped at the Visitor's Center and walked through plus a few of the nearby trails.

Very enjoyable and it felt like it was off the beaten path, so no big crowds.

Hiked here on a Saturday morning - flew into Phoenix from Houston (sea level) and parked on the Beverly Canyon trailhead and was planning on hiking 3.5 miles - but didn't get started until 9:30 and it was over 90 then and got close to 100 - too hot and at altitude for us sea level folks. My recommendation is to hike starting very early and off the trails early AM. It is hot - don't care if it is a dry hot... Easy parking here and trail well marked.

Hiking, birdwatching, adventure, wildlife, horseback riding… if you’re into any of these experiences, here’s the place for you… the South Mountain Park and Preserve has it. We are so proud and enjoy being neighbors at the foothills of this magnificent work of nature. This park offers incredible views, fascinating adventures, fabulous wildlife types, varied exercise degrees and some intriguing mysteries – still to be solved. With over 16,000 acres of native desert wilderness flora, there is a huge amount of hiking options, viewing acmes, and nature buff ardor. For almost 100 years when Phoenix purchased the land, the surrounding community and visitors alike have had the pleasure of this natural landmark. One of our fave locations is Dobbins Point where you’ll be amazed at the incredible view of the complete Valley of the Sun – the panorama is indescribable – it needs to be seen in person! Instead of exerting oneself and you want to relax, many ramadas are available throughout the Preserve to the public. There are also a few mysteries within hiking distance in the park. Research and check out The Lost Ranch, some mine in the area too, and the Mystery Castle sits just at the foot of the north slope area. You’ll be fascinated with your visit.

I scattered my husband's ashes there 2 years ago and since then I've been back with grand kids hiking.They also have horses there that you can ride, that's our next agenda.It's really a neat place to visit.

Great place to see the sunset over Phoenix and the night lights over the city. Lovely place to walk and see cactii.

On the way to visit friends in Phoenix, we detoured and drove up the mountain. It is deceiving, and goes up a lot higher than we thought it would. Scary drop offs and tight corners. Great views of the city below. Lots of people at the top sightseeing and picnicking.

Had a great time on a self-guided mountain hike. Trails of all difficulty levels and lengths, be sure to check out the trail descriptions online before you go.

We stopped at Dobbins Lookout and truly enjoyed the views. This Floridian didn't love the drive up, due to no guardrails (except at turns) and the road is narrow. But, go anyway! The drive down wasn't so bad. We didn't have any issues finding parking on a Sunday afternoon, even though a number of people were there. I am glad we went. There are toilets at this location.

A fantastic drive to the top of the mountain to look at the city of Phoenix. Lots of switchbacks. Beautiful day. Small visitor center at the bottom with some historical information. Able to take hikes from the lower area. with Ranger info on where to start and advice of which route to take. Some picnic tables at the top.

Wow, stunning views while hiking/running trails in south mountain park. You can get a great view of moon/stars without city lights. Worth a visit while in Phoenix, AZ area...go early or during night as during day is quite hot and dry. Carry water.

We spent a couple of hours cruising up and down all the winding roads through South Mountain. The elevation goes from 1100 feet all the way to 7000 feet. The views of the valley are amazing and the line of rows of cactus are almost unbelievable. I would definitely put this on your bucket list of things to do. The roads are narrow, so you need to be careful, but the scenery is second to none. There are a lot of look out points as well, so plenty of opportunities to take photos. I would definitely go back.

South Mountain Park has lots going for it, close to town, a great variety of hikes and lots of free parking. All one needs to plan for is wearing the appropriate footwear and bringing water and snacks for the road. One could decide to keep their hike short or go for the whole day. One could venture on steeper, more challenging trails or stick to easy peasy flats. The possibilities are endless here.

The wife and I left late in the afternoon and had to turn back because the sun was setting quickly and we lacked the proper gear for night hiking. What we saw on that short hike was worth travelling from eastern Canada for tho. We are already planning our return to Arizona and specifically South Mountain park, this time, early in the morning!!

Simon P

Take advantage of the gorgeous views of Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun, especially at sunset, by a drive up the mountain to Dobbins overlook. So worth the time, and is an easy activity if you do not hike.

South Mountain has lots of trails for beginners to advanced hikers. Lots of wildflowers and desert plants. There is a road to the top where the sites are amazing. Horseback riding and trails.

If you're up for a hike, go to the top of the trailhead for a fantastic view of the City. South Mountain is the largest city park in the country.

Cruise to the top of South Mountain in your chitty of pedal your butt off but look out for cars. On a clear day you can see all the way to next week. Parking at the top sometimes sucks and the road to the top of the mountain is closed to cars on the last weekend of the month for the pedal pushers and joggers.
Take your out of town friends up there for a quick, free view of the Valley.
It used to be open at night but the ruling elite knows what's best for us commoners. What a view that was!

I drove through some of the park (it is very large) and up to Lookout Point via a winding mountainous road. The location gives one a panramic view of the city. The drive is scenic with wonderful desert landscapes including saguaros and occasional desert wildlife.

nice hike, and free entry.
the education center was closed when we were there.
there are a few hiking trail, you can go, easy and hard.

I work in Chandler near south mountain. I like to come in from the southside hiking, there are some really cool trails and I can sometimes get a morning hike in before work. If you go to the park side, you can drive to the top and there are hiking trails right off the road from that side. An easy, quick break from work if you plan it right.

This park has All hike levels. We stopped by the visitors center for a map. Very clean, nice bathrooms & the staff was super knowledgeable. We were looking for an easy one mile hike. She gave us two options with one hike going on for another 1.5 miles & moderate. First part was a dirt path well marked. You walked over rocks & slight incline at times. This is not a path for strollers or anyone who is not steady on their feet. We did see families with toddlers & dogs. We did hike part of the second leg, but only got half way. The second half had narrow paths & steeper incline. If we had more time, we would have continued. I highly recommend this hike.

I was brought up here by family while visiting. Nice easy but, windy drive up. Lots of cactus to look at. Cool lookout building at the top and hiking trails. At the lower levels there is a cool rock type building to look at and walk through.

Easy drive and a great view. Check out silent Sunday , no cars but lots of bikes. Best to view on a clear day.

There are many trails here. We chose the one that leads to Dobbins Point. It was an easy hike and not too long. Great to be up close and personal with the desert.

This is the largest city park in the country. It’s conveniently located just on the edge of the city. I was in town on business and had the opportunity to hike a couple of the many trails. The desert really is beautiful, with great views of the city, especially at sunset. The trails weren’t overly crowded, and I wish I had brought my mountain bike. I encountered several riders. Everyone on the trail was friendly and considerate. Starting at the Beverly Canyon trail head, I hiked Javelina Canyon, Ridgeline Trail, Beverly Canyon, and Pima East Loop. None of them were overly difficult. Well worth the visit.

We drove thru this park to get to Dobbins Lookout. Really beautiful park and so much of it. Restrooms at the entrance. If you go up to Dobbins lookout the view from there is awesome.

Wonderful place to experience the Sonoran Desert! You can hike or mountain bike on miles of trails. #arizonadogfriendly
If you want to just take a scenic tour, there is a roadway that leads all the way to to top of South Mountain and you can enjoy the great views of the Phoenix valley. Great spot to watch the sun set over the valley.

South Mountain, one the largest municipal parks in the US, has great hiking, biking and views. The biking up the mountain is a leg burning workout. No mountain biking off road but you can ride your horse. There's rental stables nearby. This time of year the wildflowers are nice. There are trails for all levels of ability. You can also drive to the top & take in the views of Phoenix.
Don't miss the South Mountain Environmental Education Center. You can refill your water bottle & ask the rangers & volunteers about the Native Americans & others who called South Mountain home. You can find the next rtrail you want to hike.

Well we tried to visit here! We had come to the Central Ave drive location, from N. Scottsdale, and it was hubby and my last day out of 8 nights staying in Scottsdale, so had to come here. We get to the entrance area, and noticed cars were all turning around, and we saw as we got closer that the road up to Dobbin's Lookout was closed, due to a charity run! How awful was that, that so many people had come to travel up the mountain, and they couldn't. I understand that money was being raised for a cause, but whomever planned this location, should have chosen another location, not a major tourist destination. We had to leave, as there is no other road up there, and the organizers would have known that. Here I was wanting to show my hubby the lovely view from up top, to see the vastness of the greater Phoenix area. I rated this lower, due to this road closed situation, and it's not the attraction's fault! At least I know what it looks like, as I had been before, with my mom in the late 80's.

This is a great place to hike, bike, picnic, see the views and just be in the Sonoran Desert. If you're not into hiking, there are nice drives that take you to great viewpoints. Afterwards stop at nearby Pancho's Restaurant and Cantina for a perfect day in Phoenix.

Great place to picnic & hike the numerous trails. Good facilities, close to city, yet feels like the wilderness.

Dobbins Point is an excellent location to be able to view the Valley's west, south and east sides from an elevated location. There are benches to sit and enjoy the views and a shelter in case of rain.

This is an AMAZING area to hike in the late fall to early spring. In the summer the heat can make this a little challenging. Bring water if you will be here in the summer.

Worth the winding ride to the summit to then hike down from Dobbins lookout to the valley floor...and THEN back up which is guaranteed to break a sweat. As with any Phoenix activity, go early. While the trail isn't terribly well marked, there are enough people around to find your way at option points. Moderate difficulty.

Largest city Park in Phoenix with so many hiking trails for beginners and those looking for a long hike or climb. Be sure to bring WATER for every individual hiking or mountain biking.

It took a little while to find the Holbert Trailhead because the signage wasn't clear, but once we found the site and started the hike, the experience was great. We got there before 9am, and it started getting busy before lunch where we had to step aside a lot on the narrow, rocky trail up and down the mountain, but that wasn't a big deal. It was a good workout up to Dobbins Lookout and back down the same trail with a nice view of the city of Phoenix. We saw about a half dozen dogs on walks, but we wouldn't recommend taking dogs because of the steep, narrow, and rocky areas long the hike.
There was plenty of parking, and it was free. The restrooms at the parking lot were dark and ran out of soap but were clean enough. The restrooms at the top of the mountain by Dobbins Lookout were the type with no sink, no sanitizer, and a toilet without water.

Great view, beautiful right at sunset. We stayed long enough to watch the city lights below. Would recommend to everyone.

Great views! If you don’t feel up to a hike, the road goes all the way up to a couple different lookout points that will amaze. Look down on the city of Phoenix. It is a busy little spot!

My kids love this area, great walking trails, beautiful scenery. Phoenix native speaking here. There is horse back riding for all ages, we especially enjoy the Perl Charles trail while riding. Check out there website its very easy to navigate.

Walk was nice - and views good. If you want to see the petroglyphs check them out at the start - we hoped to see more on the walk but they were all at the beginning - sadly graffiti too

I was born in Phoenix and have lived here most of my life. When I have people come in from out of town and they want to get a good look at the valley, the first place I take them is here. It's free for you to drive to the top of the mountain and park and just enjoy the view. All I can say is please drive slow and watch for the bike riders going up and down the very narrow roads.

Parking is off of W. Chandler Blvd. Bring lots of water - no joke! Wear appropriate footwear/headwear/sunscreen. This is a shared trail with bikers and hikers. Be watchful of where you are going and where you are stepping. Once you get high enough, you'll appreciate the gorgeous views of the S. Valley, looking towards S. Chandler. Highly recommend.

Today we hiked from the 24th Street Trailhead, which is our favorite. You can hike as long as you want, up and back, do a loop, or even leave a car on the other side and hike all the way to Ahwatukee. The view of the Valley of the Sun from the top is amazing!

We set around 6pm on a Sunday evening to see panoramic views of the city. Our hike was not strenuous at all. Once we got to the top, the views of Phoenix were outstanding. If you don't want to hike very far, I definitely recommend you go here.

This park is beautiful, however driving up the mountainside with very few guardrails is a bit scary. There are several places to stop and see the sights including quite an impressive view of Phoenix.

We were able to go during the week when it was not as busy as some other reviewers mentioned. It is quite a unique park. I can see why it is a busy place. We went to Dobbin's Lookout and the view can not be beat. You get to see the whole area and see somethings that are hard when you are down in the city! Drive carefully to the top. The road is narrow and bikers, hikers and traffic make it a busy place

Beautiful drive to top. Forst stop is some cool old structures, then the visitor center. Wind up the mountain for spectacular views od Phoenix. Worth the drive.

Drove up to Dobbin's Lookout and took in the amazing views! A few other nice lookout stops along the way up. Perfect for non-hikers.

South Mountain is a very large southwest desert mountain park totally enclosed within the city limits of Phoenix. The mountain ridge runs from the southwest to the northeast. The southwest corner shares a boundary with the Gila River Indian Community, which in general is the southern neighbor of the City of Phoenix. It contains typical Sonoran Desert flora and fauna. Most of the flora examples are spiny, including a large collection of the iconic Saguaro cacti. Animals include coyotes, bobcats, javelina, small rodents, and many types of birds, including raptors. Some of theses occasionally spill out into city neighborhoods. Of the larger animals, coyotes are most commonly seen.There are many miles of hiking trails, which tend to be rocky, and if one tries them, come prepared. In my opinion, daytime temperatures during the summer months are too high for safe hiking, but at anytime of the year one should come prepared with a minimum of a sunhat, sun glasses, sun screen, and lots of water and/or a sports drink. Turn back before half of your liquids are consumed. It is very easy to become overheated and dehydrated. Trekking poles can be helpful as well. Especially just before and after sundown, it is not uncommon to come upon a rattlesnake. Fortunately, they make you aware of their presence before you get too close. Make a wide detour around them and warn other people that you might meet on the trail. Happily there are narrow car roads which will take you to a few viewing stations at the top, which provide panoramic views of the greater Phoenix area, including other surrounding mountains, cityscapes of Phoenix and suburbs, and the Gila River Indian Community. South Mountain is a treasure which should be respectfully and safely enjoyed.

This is a huge park with several trailheads and numerous trails at each trailhead. If you are unfamiliar with the park, be sure to research carefully your trail and take pictures of the map with your phone. We wanted to do the West Loop Trail at the Pima Canyon Trailhead, but without consistent trailmarkers, we got off the trail and needed to ask other hikers for directions. I believe that bikers and hikers probably made some additional off trails that confused us even though we are experienced hikers.

We hiked the Beverly Trail, but hadn't gone far when we saw no more signs for that trail and only signs for other trails. We asked other hikers where the Beverly trail went, and they weren't sure but recommended a way to go. It was beautiful and we were not worried about being lost (because we could just backtrack) but better trail signage would help. Lovely views and well-tended trails made for a great morning hike.

Large with well paved roads. Recommend stopping by the entrance center to get info on trails and the surrounding areas. Hiking paths for all ages and abilities. Good interpretive trail by the ranger station.

If you want a great place to see the city of Phoenix then South Mountain is your spot. It was recommended by a local as a place you must go to when visiting Phoenix. It’s not too far outside of the city and was easy to find. Like all mountains there are winding roads up to the summit. There were signs to guide you where to go so you won’t get lost. Another feature I liked was there were places to stop along the way if you don’t want to go to the summit. I took full advantage of that since my nerves got the best of me. I wouldn’t recommend going on a day that’s overcast or raining. The clouds will block your view. There were people hiking and bike riding so keep your eyes open.

Nice place to hike, lots of different trails for all levels. We went a couple of different days to different parts of the park and enjoyed our hikes. Always take plenty of water.

If only I could share ALL of my pictures, but settled for five of them! This was such a great drive (up/down the mountain) and well worth it! Be careful for pedestrians (walking and running the road) and people on bicycles because they share the road too. One open restroom at the top - no doors, at all, but if you gotta go, you gotta go!

We were there for Thanksgiving while the hubby was working in the area, and are now transferring to Phoenix! We WILL be returning!!!

Hidden Gem. I had no idea south mountain was here until friends pointed it out to us. The drive up was wonderful, the views even better. The road is very curvy and it's popular with cyclists, so please be nice and share the road with everyone using the park. Worth a drive, or even better, a bicycle ride to the top and back down again.

Drive to Squaw Peak Road, and go to the top parking lot. From here, you can enter the park, and walk, hike, climb from dawn to dusk. It is quiet and tranquil, full of bird life, and beautiful views and vistas. All in the middle of the fifth largest city in America. There is a bathroom and water fountain at the parking lot.

Great hike though a bit of an elevation with loose rocks along the paths. Some great views and another good habitat trail (which needs some replanting 🙁)

Roger and Gretchen were excellent “rangers”, patiently answering our many questions.

Bring high top sneakers or boots to prevent ankle injuries.👍🏻

Spectacular views from all around! Come at various times throughout the day, the colors and hues change throughout. Take the time to do a hike or two and enjoy this mountain/hill outcrop

We love South Mountain Park. It is a great place to mountain bike, hike, take a scenic drive, have a picnic, w a tech the sunset, or just get a great view of the city and surrounding areas.

The top of South Mountain is fabulous. Sweeping views of the City plus some old buildings to romp around in. Everyone should take the drive up.

Closed for “Silent Sunday.” We wasted a 40 minute drive to get here. Too hot to hike up in the middle of the day. What a disappointment. So many cars were turning around, get a clue… you shouldn’t have this park closed all day!

Went here right as the sun was setting. There was a great lookout over the city. Seeing all the lights of the city at night was amazing. You can also see the sunset over a mountain here.

The Trails at South Mountain like Desert Classic, the National Trail, Javelina, or Marcos de Niza are amazing trails with classic desert rocks and sand. Different skill level trails.

I got a good 3 hour hike on the Holbert trail, nice workout for the legs. The beginning trailhead along the parking lot is difficult to find, they could use some signage there. Occasionally there are spots along the trail that need some signage, but after some false starts I figured out the way. Bottom mile is flat, then it climbs.

We had a little bit of time to burn and heard about this park through our hosts. So glad we took the drive to the summit of south mountain. We took about an hour total, we were taking our time and taking in the sights as we went up and down the mountain. There are A LOT of bicycle riders on the road and at points you need to be careful because there are very blind turns. Once you get to the top of the road the view is great. You can see all of the valley and all of the cities that are in the valley. Well worth the time if you are visiting Phoenix.

Nice roads (we were on a motorcycle). Great views. Did I mention free entrance. Nice facilities. Very nice park. Hiking available if you want.

Beautiful views of the city. The trails up can be steep with loose rock, so choose your trail accordingly. Lots of options depending what you are looking for. Go early before it is hot and bring plenty of water. Good shoes are a must.

A beautiful place to visit while in Phoenix if you love nature. You can see the city of Phoenix from high above.

You need to have some decent driving skills to make it to the summit but worth every turn. I can only imagine that if you a hiker the trails seem to be a dream come true. As the sun changes position everything changes as well. Best way to get a full feeling about why Phoenix is growing to be the 5th largest city in the country. This park is a must if you can only see one in Phoenix.

This is one of the, if NOT, largest municipal Parks in the USA. Quite a story on how Phoenix got the land and was obligated to preserve it for a Park by some of the early pioneers and Great Senator Carl Hayden. There are so many things to do in this wonderful park that sprawls for miles east and west. Go to City of Phoenix Parks website on things to do. Beware that there is an old shooting range where gun lovers aim into the north facing part of The Park in the 7th Avenue area. Check see if shooting range is still open for business and the hours of operation before using any cabanas or hiking, riding, or walking behind the mountain for special outings. You may or may not see warning signs about this unusual phenomenon.

This is a 'must visit' in the Phoenix area. Easy drive, plenty of parking and the view is spectacular.

Have been here many times hiking and sight seeing. Place this in my top 5 things to do here in the Phoenix metro. Lots of hiking from easy to very difficult. The drive to the top of south mountain is exciting and breathtaking. On a good day, you'll see most of Phoenix and on a clear day almost half way to Tucson. See phoenix, saguaro Cactus and other wildlife. Recommend catching sunrise or sunset, its a stunning time.

Googled the South Mountain Preserve for a trailhead and the directions it gave me lead to a area that is vast yet vague in it’s markings. Took the National Trail for approximately 20 minutes including time for pictures.
Nice stroll with a well groomed path. Minor in difficulty unless your pace is accelerated. Decided we were in the wrong place and checked out after this 1 hour walk.
Then we drove about 30 minutes to the trailhead by the ranger station and up the incline towards the lookout at the top. A twisty turny road to the top leads to a fantastic vista. Breathtaking. The sight of Phoenix and surrounding area is a sight to behold. Truly recommend this craY trip to the top.

Lots of options for hiking. Can drive to various parking lots to enjoy the views. Sunset is particularly enjoyable.

Researching on their website indicated that the park was open. After we got there, and wanted to go to the top for the view, a sign indicated they were closed. The grandchildren did enjoy walking around a little on a lower area. It was too hot to stay any longer.

Depending on your fitness level there is a trail that fits your needs. some of the main trails you sometime need to watch for those on mountain bikes who also use the trails

South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona, is the largest municipal park in the United States, one of the largest urban parks in North America and in the world. I have actually seen rattle snakes in this park, but there is no need for concern as long as you don’t bother them. A unique experience/

Trails for every type of hiking, you would want to do from easy to challenging. Gorgeous desert environment we use the AllTrails app, and it worked perfectly for South Mountain.

I have visited South Mountain Park and Preserve several times. It is full of amenities, hiking & mountain biking trails, and view points. I LOVED the view points. There is a paved road that goes to the top and allows you to overlook Phoenix. I highly recommend taking the drive! Quick tip: the preserve is over 16,000 acres! Download the app, Avem, to help you find South Mountain amenities.

I loved the South Mountain Park.

There were many cacti and hummingbird.

There is a statue with a cutting trees. It is only a statue.

There were many flowers as well.
We hiked a I liked the lot.

The best part is the view! Wow! This is amazing!

Did family portraits here recently, I have also done a lot of other photoshoots in the little area right at the gate of this. Love the diverse location and if you go during certain times of the year there’s a beautiful fog that you can see through the mountains.

We enjoyed the hiking and the views of the valley. At times it was hard to believe that we were so close to town. We hiked the Pima Canyon Trail. It was moderately easy.

If you love short, steep, rocky trails, then South Mountain Park is for you. It's a huge park that's over 15 miles in length from north to south and lies 30 minutes or less from Phoenix or Scottsdale. It rests on over 16,000 acres. For easy starters, ride the classic route Desert Classic. It's 9 miles 1-way and features rolling, small hills, with sinewy turns and 3 small walls near the southern end. Another easy loop(s) are the East and West loops. The East Loop has a fun rock garden that will test your sense of balance on the bike. BC Trail runs along the high power lines, call it EMF Plenty Trail, and has interesting ascents and descents on rocky, cracked-rock terrain. Ridgeline provides tall, steep, loose and rocky climbs/descents that are thrilling and not for the faint of heart. Then, the creme de la creme, Mormon Loop and National Loop/Trail, which have rocky drops, and National Loop ends on a long, winding descent with spectacular scenery, if you ride it counter-clockwise. The desert flora is sparse, but the beauty of the trails shines and attracts bikers, hikers, and runners from around the country. The newly updated facilities have bathrooms and running water and places to relax, out of the sun. I've ridden South Mountain Park the past 3 years and try to visit the park at least 3-4 times per week.

found this area to be much larger than I had thought. Great views. Lots of opportunities for hiking various terrains. Road up to top is a great drive. Vies from teh top are amazing.

South Mountain Park is the largest city park in the country, filled with many different trails to choose from and beautiful views of the valley. Highly recommend the Telegraph Pass trail. It's a winding, rock staircase type climb straight up to an amazing view. Round trip takes you approx. an hour depending on how fast you go. Great workout, great view!

We went here on a Wednesday afternoon and found the park mostly to ourselves. We stopped by the visitor center and were help with some very friendly employees. They directed us to the hobell trail since we had a toddler. Very nice trail and lots to see. Would definitely recommend this park to everyone and best of all it’s free!

Have been to Phoenix many times but this was our first time up South Mountain. Visited midday during the week and it was very quiet. We drove all the way to the top stopping off at most of the vista points and took in the wonderful views of Phoenix.

Had a great morning hike here. The parking was limited, but we found a space. The trail was exactly as described, moderate to difficult. The trail was surprisingly clean and we'll maintained for a park so close to an urban center. Great views and outstanding Phoenix weather made this hike stand out!

The views were awesome, you can see for probably 30 miles in each direction, the drive a bit trecherous, woudl not want to do it in the rain. Plenty of parking and restrooms, although you need a respirator to enter them. The men's room was 3 stalls, one with a toilet (pretty much a bucket with the top and bottom cut out so the waste falls into a pit below), one with a urinal and the other with nothing (guess you pee against the wall and it flows to the drain), and there was only like a 3ft high wall and no door around any of them. The smell was unbearable, my daughter stepped into the women's room and I heard "Nope" and she walked out and my father-in-law commented that even in Viet Nam during the war did the have such disgusting facilities.

Although Visitor Center is closed Monday-Wednesday, we still enjoyed our visit. Traffic was light on the winding , narrow road to the top and there was ample parking (which is a problem on more popular days). We had a picnic lunch at top. Make sure you bring your own water.

Our annual visit to Chandler we always pick a trail to hike. So many to choose, from easy to hard, short or long. Take your pick. We park at pima canyon and start there. Get the early on weekend crowded and limited parking. Today we're hooked 7.5 miles, and stopped to watch a coyote traverse a ravine, avoiding the hikers. Spring is best with the sprouts, new growth and wildflowers bloom. You see bikers, serious runners, joggers to families with kids and infants in pack carriers. A must to get to the outdoors of phoenix.

The park is huge -- larger than Manhattan. The trails are well marked. The ranger at the welcome center was helpful in explaining the trails and helped us choose where to go.

We drove our car along the roads to the top of the mountain. Although brochures describe available handicapped accessible trail, the day was too hot for that. The visitor center was very educational and helpful. Well worth visiting!

I'm generally not considered an 'outdoorsy' type of person and can safely say that I absolutely loved the Ridgeline Trail / Beverly Canyon Trail. I reached the parking lot at the base of the Beverly Canyon Trailhead which, at least according to Google Parks, is considered the north east side of the South Mountain Park.

I hiked roughly 4-5 miles through some moderate elevation. I started up the Ridgeline Trail and then finished by returning back through the Beverly Canyon Trail to the same parking lot. Reaching the top of the many steep rocky areas I found myself rewarded with a fantastic view of the mountains as well as the city line. As an inexperienced hiker, I found myself appropriately challenged by the varying elevation changes and can say that anyone who isn't unfit can most likely hike through the trails. It took about an hour to hike through the Ridgeline Trail / Beverly Canyon Trail.

For those wishing to hike here - a mobile phone, plenty of water and solid shoes is a must. I found myself rushing down the decline and occasionally slipping despite having a good pair of walking shoes. Had it not been for the lack of time, I would have walked even further! This is a peaceful yet moderately demanding hike with beautiful views. I definitely recommend this trail for other travellers.

Did this hike on my 55th Bday, great hike and challenging for sure. Loved it will do it again some time.

On our first full day in Phoenix, we chose to hike the Hidden Valley Trail via Mormon Loop Trail, which we found highly rated on the AllTrails app. A 5+ mile hike that took us 2.5 hours, as we’re ‘moderate’ hikers, it was a lot of fun. Bring plenty of water, backpack, sun screen, lip balm and a hat. The low ‘50’s temps were perfect mid-morning, feeling warmer than that as the sun was out. Hard sole shoes or boots will greatly help your hike!

South Mountain Park is a must-visit if you’re in Phoenix! It offers breathtaking views of the city and has a variety of hiking trails for all levels. We hiked up to Dobbins Lookout, and the panoramic view from the top was absolutely stunning. The trails are well-maintained, and there are plenty of spots to stop and take in the scenery.

If you go, make sure to bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months. The sunset views from the park are also incredible! Whether you’re into hiking, biking, or just enjoying nature, this place is perfect. Highly recommended!

We were literally the only car in the park today. We parked on the gravel shoulder to get photos and the park employees lovingly left us a $100 parking ticket. There are no signs prohibiting parking on the shoulder. It doesn’t matter to these overzealous Phoenix city employees that need to make their quota. Beware if you are from out of town. The City of Phoenix doesn’t take kindly to visitors. Avoid this one and visit another park not run by the city.

very close to the city, you can choose different trails of different levels depending on the time you have. Very pleasant hiking experience.

We ventured up South Mountain with our one year old sleeping in the car. With the necessity of driving to get her to nap, this was an excellent option. The views going up the mountain we just as good as the city view from the top. There were historical placards at the top, and notable landmarks and cities were noted in the view. It was chilly the day we visited l so we didn’t spend much tome at the summit but the views were some of the best we saw in Phoenix. There are several pull outs along the way and an ample parking lot at the top.

Drove up to the lookout. While pretty cold that day and somewhat windy, it was a great view of the valley.

Just taken my family here for a weekend outing. Admission is free. Park is A+++ clean, great atmosphere for families and a nice place to bring light outdoor meals. We drove to the summit. The view was spectacular!

We go here often. Great for biking..no traffic. 22 miles from my place to the towers, great ride. Love sitting on the deck of t-bone steakhouse enjoying the view overlooking Phoenix and metro. You can see for miles.mdrinks reasonable, limited menu but very good. Weekend music in bar.

Worth the trip through town to this natural landscape. In places, it almost looks like an old western movie set.
Take the drive to the top of the mountain for wide views of the valley. (See reviews for Dobbins Overlook also)

Challenging hike with elevation changes. Beautiful scenery. I recommend hiking shoes and bring lots of water. This park has multiple trails and does not disappoint. If you are in our around the Phoenix area and you enjoy hiking and the outdoors you should take a few hours and enjoy this place.

Please keep in mind that the speed limit is 25mph and bicycles do have the right of way as so do the hikers. Beautiful

Very nice quiet park. Beautiful desert scenery. There is horse back riding there too. A welcome center and event center. Welcome center employees were very nice. They do have some merchandise for sale.

Last visited the park in late December 2017. Love their hiking trails (many to choose from, all fitness levels available). Love the convenient location. BUT the last time I was there, I was 2 cars with smashed windows, so I left the park, thinking I couldn't be sure if my car would be safe there, or if I'd be safe. -- I HATE that this has stopped me from going there, because it is an otherwise wonderful place to go.

Awesome!!!!

What a great park to visit and see the mountains. The view is spectacular and the city from the top is gorgeous. The drive to the top is a little scary but worth it when you reach the top. The roads are arrow so drive slowly and watch out for other pedestrians riding bikes. You cannot bet the views and the history that goes with it. A must visit park. Enjoy!!

This was a very busy park on the day we visited. You share the hiking trails with mountain bikers, but it was still very nice. We did a four mile loop and made several stops for viewing and pictures. Close to city and an easy drive.

This park is just about 1/2 hour drive from downtown phoenix. In February, it was a perfect temperature for hiking. The trail uphill is a good work-out but not overwhelmingly difficult. There are great views once you reach the top. The trail uphill is a moderate hike. There are bathrooms, water and easy parking at the bottom. Also, Free to enter park.

This is a great ride to he top of Phoenix. The winding road to the top is very scenic and when you get to the top the views are beautiful. You can spend hours just looking at the views and soaking in the total peace and quiet.

South Mountain Park is a must if your visiting the area. By far the best view of Phoenix from 'Dobbins Lookout' at the top of the mountain. You can drive up or hike, either way you'll see beautiful views, diverse vegetation and get great exercise that easily rivals what you would see and experience in Sedona, without having to drive 2 hours each way.

The views of downtown and the valley are incredible. It's kind of a long drive to the top, but well worth it.

Went to the visitors guide and she helped us . We hiked the 3-4 miles up to Dobbins Lookout. Really fun and good workout.

We have arrived about an hour before sunset and stay for another 30 mins after sunset. Nice city view for both day and nights. Please ensure to get in the entrance before the gate is closed. You can exit before the park close by driving one way out gate through the treadle. For Dobbins Lookout, you can drive up to the area with parking is available.

If you have a rental car, you've got access to this park. No need to book a tour. Park is an easy drive from Tempe and other surrounding towns. The visitor's center will give you all the information you need. We took a 2 hour hike on the Kiwanis trail-- beautiful view. We then drove up to the Dobson overlook, which is a great way to see the Phoenix area. Highly recommend a visit to this wonderful park. You could spend anywhere from an hour to a full day.

Be sure to go first thing in the morning to avoid the heat. There were different trails well suited to a variety of hiking abilities. We did a flat section one day and then came back a couple of days later to walk something with a higher elevation. Would recommend wearing hiking boots for the higher hikes.

First piece of advice for people who haven't been yet.
DON'T go on a Saturday night.
The place is beautiful but sadly you don't go there to take in the views and relax. Too many people bring loud kids who go around yelling. Then as soon as it gets to blue hour, people start showing up with their car windows open blaring their music. Seems to be a big hangout for teenagers and adults wanting to show off their sound systems.
And don't even bother trying to use the restrooms.

Just south of Phoenix is the park appropriately named South Mt. The road to the top is curved, steep,and busy but worth the trip. There are pull-outs that afford you the opportunity for taking pictures. Once on top the entire valley is visible. There are benches to sit and take it all in and a rustic bathroom building. Be sure to continue up to the towers area that faces to the south. Totally a different view. The one unbelievable pain was the two wheeled pedal bicycles. I think they are crazy to go up the mountain in the first place and cause issues for cars both up and down. The narrow road leaves you no choice but to wait in some places. Two hints; go on a clear day and take binoculars. We will go back for sure.

Very nice piece of wild nature right in the city. Easy drive to the top to see fantastic view of the city. I am not sure that hikes here are interesting since you are not going to see more that you saw from the car.

Step into the desert scenery a few miles from downtown. Great view of Phoenix and lots of possible hikes.

The drive up to the Buena Vista Lookout through the rustic beauty of AZ was tantalizing. The scenery was gorgeous and got more and more so the higher we climbed. We are from a "greener" part of the US and the plants, terrain and arid weather were all new and fascinating to us. From the lookout at the top we could see far and wide. It was a great picture taking opportunity. There was a stone shelter where you could sit in to look down over Phoenix. There are many walking trails to hike but we didn't do any of them. The area was very crowded and the parking was limited. Unfortunately, there was lots of garbage thrown on the ground which was sad to see. The paved road up and down the mountain was curvy and fun. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon exploring this area of Phoenix. It's definitely worth

A casual stroll or a more serious hike are both possible. And you can just drive nearby and enjoy the scenery.

I started out doing the Moorman Loop Trail and added a potion of the Midlife Crisis Trail. Both were great, the the mid-life was awesome being on the crest of the ridge with great views both directions. I went at noon on a weekday, so parking was not an issue. By 4pm when I finished, the lot was full. Wear hiking booths to save your ankles. Bring water.

We had an afternoon in Phoenix before flying out the next day. Being outdoor people we looked for activity for hiking in the desert. What a gem this park is! The park staff were friendly and helpful with covering the most ground in a short time. Information on best views and doable hike for our time frame. The scenery was fantastic from the expansive view of all Phoenix to the hiking trails. I'd recommend repeat visits!

Did a two hour round trip stroll from Buena Vista parking area eastward along National trail and back. Was glad to be able to enjoy it. It takes longer to drive to the top than it looks at first.

Bring your water bottle and solid shoes. The plants, rocks and views are really fantastic. We downloaded the Alltrails app which was helpful as several trails are in the vicinity.

I was staying nearby and was able to do some limited hiking here. Now that I wam older and not in great shape, I took it easy with a short hike. I went up the gentle incline for about 1.5 miles and then turned around just as it was warming up. I am sure most accomplished hikers could go for hours and miles up and down with out getting bored. Lots of elevations and views. There seemed to be lots of parking on the roads leading up to the starting point. Good fun for all

This is a beautiful park with places to hike, picnic or just enjoy the view from the top. There is a 5.5 mile road, which winds up to the summit (2330 ft). The views are worth the trip.

Extremely disappointed... after raving about the views from South Mountain's Summit Road we arrived before sunset only to find the Summit Road closed for Silent Sunday...OMG whose idea was this. How much noise can possibly occur in that remote part of the park? The environmentalists have gone too far...but I digress

South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the United Sates and one of the largest in the world. It is a spectacular view of desert vegetation.

The views are the reason to visit the park. Dobbins lookout is over 1000 feet above the ground of the desert and is a beautiful hike. The panoramic view of Phoenix from the top makes the hike worth it. There are also 58 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and if you prefer to travel by horseback, you can rent horses for an exciting ride.

Aside from the desert flora, you will also see a variety of desert wildlife. Be careful and be prepared. Be sure to take a first aid kit, a fully charged phone with spare battery, a huge amount of water, a large amount of sunscreen and a hat.

On Silent Sundays (the 4th Sunday of the month), the park's roads are closed to motor vehicles making them ideal for walking and biking tours.

We recently visited South Mountain park for an afternoon nature walk amongst the seguero and burrow cacti. The nature walk trail starts right by the restroom/ranger station and was just right for our family with young children and varying fitness levels. As with any adventure in Arizona, be sure to bring some water - even on a cool day it's dry. The first part of the trail is the most challenging with some uphill walking, but the trail gets easier as it goes. It winds up near a parking area with ramadas, a lovely spot to wait, if anyone needs to be picked up. The park seems to be well cared for and popular on both of our visits this week.

Beautiful view of the city of PHOENIX & surrounding areas. Nice car drive thru the “south mountain park”. Lots of desert scenery. Great hiking trails & bike trails . Horse stables nearby . Family friendly .

Drive up the side of the mountain and you get a fantastic view of Phoenix and the surrounding area. Well worth the drive. Gives you a great idea of how many people live down there. My guess is you can see for about 50 miles.

We drove all the way up the mountain and got to climb to a little scenic area. Very easy for young kids (with supervision). Beautiful view of Phoenix and surrounding cities.

Take a drive and/or hike and get some good views of the Phoenix area and the valley. It is certainly worth a couple of hours.

We attended a wedding at South Mountain, and the view was spectacular. It was a spacious location for a large group of people. A true southwestern experience.

I love this parK! Telegraph trail is one of my favourite sunrise hikes in the area. Beautiful stone shelter at the top built years ago before roads were built in the area.

Beautiful city park with lots of scenery on the valley floor and mind blowing views from the top of the mountain. Narrow, twisty road to the top, but highly worth the effort.
There are multiple overlooks and take the time to visit them all for views to the north (city) and south.

excellent - several trails - A great place to see the sunset or even go in the daytime. Did not seem a good place for very young children unless you are holding them

It takes some time to get to the summit so make sure you get to the entrance at least an hour ahead of sunset.

This was a repeat visit to South Mountain after driving up to Dobbins Lookout last year. This time, we hiked the enjoyable trail with interpretive signs behind the old ranger station (not to be confused with the visitor's center which was closed). We drove up to Dobbins again and also proceeded to the other summit lookouts, which all offer different views. This park has something for everyone!

South Mountain Park, originally called Phoenix Mountain Park, was formed in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge. It covered only 13,000 acres at the time but it expanded during the 1970s and 1980s until finally stopped by suburban development. Still, it is the largest municipal park in the United States and one of the largest urban parks in North America and the world. Today, its natural state of mountainous area covers 16,283 acres or approximately 25.5 miles of native desert vegetation. With so much space, there is so much to see. And even more if your timing is right. When was the last time you witnessed para-gliders soaring over the desert? The park features 58 miles of trails for cycling, hiking and horseback riding. Drive to Dobbins Lookout, which rises 1,000 feet above the desert floor, and get a panoramic view of the Phoenix area. The road up the mountain is narrow with guard rails only on turns and few pull-offs. It reminds of the drive up Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado. And look for chuckwallas. South Mountain has the highest density of chuckwallas that has ever been reported. If you love flora and fauna, there is a variety on South Mountain. One of the most notable is the Elephant Tree, which exhibits multiple contorted trunk architecture.

Great place for families to picnic & have fun! I've been to South Mountain park for many different things throughout the years: horseback riding, organized dog events, and hiking are the highlights for me. Re: horseback riding, the guides have always been helpful & attentive, pointing out attractions.

If you go hiking, make sure you wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses & take PLENTY of water!

Nice and long hiking trail. There is a small parking lot (about 10-12 cars). No public restroom or a rec center. Dog friendly who needs public restroom when you are in nature..

I had really hoped to get here before the sun went down, however, we just missed it! The nighttime view was pretty incredible until my 10 year old begged to leave due to having to go to the bathroom!

We were in Phoenix for a convention but wanted to see some of the nearby area. Visited the Information Center first and got some great info from the Rangers there. Planned on hiking to the top of the Hobert Trail but we were there at 2 pm and it was HOT! We had plenty of water but decided to turn back. Early morning or early evening when it is cool is HIGHLY recommended. We drove up to the top for the full view of the valley, but there were plenty of sights to see along the walk.

A beautiful place to hike and enjoy the beauty of the cactus and other plants in the area. It was very hot when we were there.

Beautiful scenery.. There are multiple trails- come prepared- with lots of water. Pick a trail and enjoy being outside!

Very nice visit with easy car access to the top of the mountain. Easy to go with kids and family. Nice views.

Hiked to observation point. It was a beautiful morning and the views were nice. Intermediate skill level. Would recommend for a great morning hike.

Great place to reserve for Family Gatherings and Enjoy the Beautiful View of the Valley especially at night.

This a vast (more than 10 miles long and elevation gain of a couple thousand feet above the west valley) park. It's nice to see some open space that hasn't been gobbled up by the metroplex. Stop at the newly opened visitor center that replaced a cramped CCC era building to get maps, use the restroom, fill water bottles, and plan your day. A fairly short, paved, easy (compared to the Apache Trail or some other area roads) takes you to the highest point of the range. watch out for bikers, motorcycles, and flatlanders who want to share your lane as you wind up. At the top, there are people selling Indian trinkets and jewelry in the parking lot. Below is the Valley of the Sun. Looking down, it also seems that every flat canyon and every flat surface is covered in a trail so there are lots of options to get out and see more of the park. Just be sure to take plenty of water. There aren't huge cliffs to die on like Camelback but people still wind up having to be rescued because of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

This is an awesome park with a lot of good, marked trails. I hiked alone while my husband was at a convention in February & never had any trouble with terrain, trails, people, animals, etc. I definitely recommend!

Spent the afternoon driving over there from Mesa in bumper to bumper traffic only to find bumper to bumper traffic in the park. If you like to be around lots of humans and pretend you're in some kind of "wilderness" this is the place for you.... It's anything but wilderness.

Difficult for a 72 year old not used to climbing up rocks. Others who were in great shape in our group had no difficulty. Fun trail with great views. Portapotties in parking lot.

We loved hiking South Mountain and Pima Canyon. There are many trails, so we went back a couple days hiking different directions. The scenery from various points is breathtaking. There were trails for most every athletic ability, although, it could be difficult if a person has walking difficulties. There was plenty of parking when we were there, but I am sure it fills up quickly at various times of the year and/or day. Well worth the hikes for the beauty!

What an amazing park to enjoy the views of Phoenix! Take your time and enjoy the scenery. Just before sunset is a busy time with most cars headed to Dobbins Lookout. There is limited parking so plan accordingly. Many photo opportunities. I recommend this park as a must visit.

We drove all the way to the top and did a little hiking!! It was very pretty and worth the trip!! Lots of nice areas to take pictures!

A beautiful way to see the entire Valley of the Sun! On a clear day, you can see for miles and it is breathtaking. The view at the top is amazing and the hiking around the park is great. A must-see if you travel to Phoenix.

Driving up to the top to see the vista was incredible. The winding road both up and down was incredible--and a little scary.

We drove up the switchback road to South Mountain Park. Views were incredible and interesting all the way but the pull off and short trail towards the top held breathtaking vistas. The weather was fabulous and views were even better by using binoculars. We had great weather which allowed us to see downtown, Sky Harbor airport, ASU, and so much more. There are trailheads which allow for many hiking options but hikers should be prepared for heat and some rough terrain depending on weather conditions. We were content to view our surrounding from a stone shelter house and for "flatlanders" it was spectacular!

This free park is well worth a visit, even just for a drive to Dobbins Lookout, which is what we did. Even on an overcast day, the view is wonderful. No hiking is necessary to enjoy the view and even drivers with no mountain driving experience will do fine getting to the lookout. The hiking trails also looked great. Note that the visitors center is closed on Mondays.

Situated just across the street from a suburban neighborhood, this park has several trails that we found easy to walk on. There may be others that are more difficult but at the entrance.

We hiked 3 mountains while in Arizona including South Mountain. This was one of the busiest. The park is close to very populated areas and many of the trails are great for mountain bikes and running, so it draws a lot of traffic. If you are looking to hike there are some great options. We started at the Pima Canyon trailhead which has a bike and hiking trail in the center of two ridges that are great for hiking. We hiked the Scott Ridge Trail starting on the Marcos De Nizo trail. This is a challenging trail and not well marked once you get past the Beverly Canyon trail section but a lot of fun. Saw many other day hikers. Bring water!!

Great hiking in south Phoenix. Trails well kept and definitely a good workout. Bring lots of water and enjoy the climb!

The paved roads allow easy access to the viewpoint and other areas of the park. Vert sharp curves. Wide or long vehicles not a good idea.

We enjoyed the ride to the top in our car. Fantastic views. The Visitor Center has some interesting exhibits too.

Good hike, really nice trail, moderate difficulty. A little over a mile to road and then the hike to the top is quite and less traveled

The top of South Mountain Lookout is a must for anyone who lives or visits Phoenix! The view is spectacular especially in the evening. Phoenix Sunrises and Sunsets are always beautiful and this location is a perfect place to take pictures. The Try up and down the mountain is fun also. The drive up and down the mountain is fun also.

They have easy trails and a little harder trails. Nice park. And easy access. Will defenetly put this one on the frequent visit list.

We drove to Dobbins Lookout for the awesome views of downtown Phoenix. The road is a turning and twisting delight among the rocks and cacti. There are many hiking opportunities in the park.

Hiked in this area at the beginning of this month, and I did not see any wildlife. I decided to start with Ranger Trail due to Holbert Trail being closed. The trail was nice. We made it to the top where Ranger Trail becomes National Trail. It was cool, but unfortunately, where we parked were no restrooms or water fountains.
This is one of the free activities you can do in Phoenix.

Great hike. Beautiful views. Slight incline. Easy to moderate walk. Recommend going in the morning before it heats up.

There's really not a better place to get a good overview of Phoenix - and if you happen to be there for a sunset - LUCKY YOU! There are lots of trails and hiking - but if you just want to drive up and look around, it's a great way to spend a late afternoon and take in one of Arizona's spectacular sunsets!

Just drive up to the top,you really don’t see anything different by hiking.beautiful view of the city and landscapes

I hike South mountain at least once a month. You can go on either side of the mountain and there's multiple trails on either side. I've done hikes that are an hour at sunset and I've done hikes that are 3 hours. It's not too high of a inclined so it's not terribly bad.

My family and I were looking for something interesting to do while visiting Phoenix one night, but not something too lengthy or involved. This 20 min drive to the Summit was perfect. We planned to be there for sunset and timed it just right. The narrow, twisty roads are easy to manage in any vehicle, and the ranger station at the base has restroom facilities if needed. Just a short drive at about 15 mph and we were greate with great views, ample parking, and some amazing views of Phoenix. The sun set in the West, against the mountain ranges, and the small gathering of people there snapped photos freely. There is a small structure at the Summit, as well as benches to sit on and rocky areas to walk/climb/roam.

After sunset, we headed back down - it got dark soon and quickly turned into a popular hangout for the local youth. No troubles navigating the road down in the dim light. It was definitely worth the short trip!

We drove to the top of South Mountain in our convertible Mustang.
We then hiked The Ranger Trail. We saw numerous varieties of cactus as well as a Jack Rabbit. Stay hydrated and enjoy the views.

This is one of the largest, if not the largest, city parks in the US if not the world. The trail network is unparalleled anywhere. This is a fantastic place to explore on foot and it has some of the best, most challenging mountain biking you'll ever find anywhere.

I was staying at the Hilton Phoenix Airport hotel for business but arrived early so I decided to take a ride to South Mountain Park. There seemed to be a lot of traffic and bike riders it was easy to find a convenient parking space for a quick hike. I decided to walk through the mountain trails for about 45 minutes taking in the landscape. Then I moved on a little bit up the road and found an amazing view of all of the Phoenix area. I would recommend this stop for anyone who loves nature and desert landscapes.

We enjoyed pointing out places we already had seen or visited...Also really noted "The Valley" designation that I heard locals refer to, as you can see all the surrounding mountains. Fun but not too scary mountain drive to top.

We hiked the Holbert Trail up to Dobbins Lookout. It is a good workout with a 300m climb over a 6.5 Km out and back (according to Alltrails) I thought that the views of the canyons and vistas from the trail were better than the view from Dobbins. Good fun.

My siblings and our significant others are all in our 60s - we visited South Mountain two weeks ago - the weather was terrific and the views seemed endless from the lookout points. Because several of us had difficulty walking, I asked at the Visitor Center if it was possible to see some of the rock carvings/petroglyphs without hiking. He directed us to a path right behind the Center which took us, with a short, flat easy walk, to see a few petroglyphs. Truly amazing!

It’s been years since I’ve driven to the top of South Mt., no more telescopes and a bit of ruins ... but a wonderful romantic drive !!

Quiet, remote, few people on a week day. Stunning views of the city, convenient parking. Really loved watching the planes come in and out of the airport. Arrived there around 4:30 AM and stayed until 7 AM

What a wonderful place to take a hike in Phoenix. My friend and I hiked up to the top of the mountain where you can see the city skyline in the distance.

This enormous urban "park" is really a desert preserve with miles of trails brimful of endemic species. Grab water, sun gear, and binoculars and stroll for an hour or hike for a day.

Went here twice in my 3 day visit. Lots of hiking trails that are mostly easy (flatter in the "valley") to moderately hilly but not terribly difficult. Went early to avoid the heat. Did three hour hikes each day. Bring plenty of water!!! Do not bring dogs if they aren't used to the heat if it is higher than 80 degrees. Passed other hikers or bikers every few minutes. Most of the terrain is so barren that you can see for miles around and can easily see other people on trails across the valley. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.