Mesa, Arizona
Looking for the best photography in Mesa? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mesa. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Photography Spots in and near Mesa
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Apache Junction, Arizona
Hike to Praying Hands in Lost Dutchman State Park
4.04.3 mi / 954 ft gainBegin your hike in the Cholla parking lot, and start Treasure Loop Trail (this is the north side of the loop, heading east). Once you get to the base of the main cliffs, and the trail starts to veer to the right, this is where you branch off. Instead of veering right, go straight and off to the...Read more -
Apache Junction, Arizona
Photograph Cactus Blooms at Lost Dutchman
4.5And there is no better place to experience this beautiful display than at Lost Dutchman State Park. The State Park website shares that visitors can find "chuparosas, poppies, fiddle necks, globe mallow, chuparosa, brittle bush, desert evening primrose, lupine, ocotillo, chicory, scorpion weed, sk...Read more -
Apache Junction, Arizona
Treasure Loop Trail
4.82.34 mi / 571 ft gainLocated about 40 miles east of Phoenix right off AZ-88 E/N Apache Trail. The initial trail begins at an elevation of 2000 feet within the Sonoran Desert. The trail can be accessed via the Cholla (northern side) Day-use Area or the Saguaro (southern) Day-use Area. Once you're on the trail you wil...Read more -
Phoenix, Arizona
Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain
4.52.46 mi / 1214 ft gainIf you live near or around Phoenix, you know that Camelback Mountain is pretty hard to miss. Due to the mountain's height, this hike isn't exactly what you would call easy. There are two sides of the mountain you can hike, Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail. Echo Canyon is shorter, but still an extreme...Read more -
Phoenix, Arizona
Climb the Praying Monk
4.30.5 miPark at the Echo Canyon Parking Area.From the trailhead, hike up Echo trail until your reach the saddle. At the saddle, you will turn south and start taking the climbers trail to the headwall, which is just past the sign that says "caution, active bee area." Once you reach the headwall, there a...Read more -
Apache Junction, Arizona
Hike Massacre Grounds Trail to Massacre Falls
5.05.5 mi / 1125 ft gainThere are many legends of a lost gold and buried treasures within the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. The most famous is the story of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. In the 1840's, the Peralta family from Northern Mexico mined rich gold ore from the area. In 1848 during one of the families exp...Read more -
Fort McDowell, Arizona
Hike Butcher Jones Trail Around Saguaro Lake
4.64 mi / 300 ft gainButcher Jones Recreational Area truly has a little bit of everything. However, the highlight of the area is the Butcher Jones Trail, a 4 mile out and back trail that is suitable for all skill levels. With minimal elevation gain and beautiful views, it can't be beat!The trailhead is located right ...Read more -
Queen Creek, Arizona
Hike the Dynamite and Goldmine Loop
5.04.7 mi / 773 ft gainThis trail is a moderately-rated hike. It is used for a variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, running, and walking. To access the trail, it is important to note that there is a $7 cash parking fee, so be prepared! The beginning of the trail is the most challenging part as it ...Read more -
Scottsdale, Arizona
Gateway Loop
4.54.32 mi / 764 ft gainThe Gateway Trailhead is one access point into the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in Scottsdale and is my favorite “Gateway” into the treasure trove of great trails and vistas in the McDowell Mountains. The Gateway Trailhead provides great accessibility for a quick hike or trail run at the end of t...Read more -
Apache Junction, Arizona
White Rock Springs Camp Loop via First Water Trailhead
4.724.18 mi / 3635 ft gainThe Superstition Wilderness is a stunning 160,200 acre area outside Apache Junction, AZ, with over 170 miles of (variously maintained) trail networks. There are any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. This adventure offers a three day/ two night backpacking trip cover...Read more -
Apache Junction, Arizona
Hike the Dutchman's Second Canyon Loop
5.016 miTo get to the trail head, drive past Lost Dutchman State Park on the 88 and then take the dirt road (on your right) with arrows leading you to First Water Trail Head. There is an outhouse at the trailhead, so I suggest visiting it before you begin this hike. I also started this hike about an ho...Read more -
Apache Junction, Arizona
Hike Black Mesa Loop
4.59 miFrom First Water Trailhead, a short walk east brings you to the junction of the Dutchman trail and the Second Water trail. If you follow the Dutchman trail to the right you'll be heading southeast for a while, catching glimpses of Weaver's Needle in the distance. You can complete the loop going...Read more -
Phoenix, Arizona
Quartz Ridge Trail
4.52.29 mi / 509 ft gainQuartz Ridge in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve (also known as Trail 8A) is a great escape getaway trail that can be done as a single track or combined with many intersecting trails. It is a very popular trail for hikers, trail runners, pet walkers, sky gawkers and more! The trailhead sits in a sm...Read more -
Gold Canyon, Arizona
Peak 5057 via Hieroglyphic Trail
5.07.45 mi / 3045 ft gainTo get to the trailhead from US60, turn north onto Kings Ranch Road where you will begin the winding path through the neighborhoods. From Kings Ranch Road, turn east on Baseline Ave, north on Mohican Road, west on Valley View Drive, north on Whitetail Road, and east on Cloudview Ave until it com...Read more -
Gold Canyon, Arizona
Hieroglyphic Trail
5.02.9 mi / 614 ft gainThis hike is a great beginner hike for those who want to experience the beauty of the Superstitions. I suggest going early in the morning because this trail gets very crowded later in the day (especially on weekends). To get to the trailhead from US60, turn north onto Kings Ranch Road where you ...Read more -
Phoenix, Arizona
Mojave Connector Trail #202
2.18 mi / 820 ft gainThe best starting point to access this hike is parking at the Mojave Picnic Area and heading up the Mojave Trail #200. At .4 miles, you will hit the junction and stating point for the Mojave Connector Trail. Head left at the saddle and begin a rapid ascent up switchbacks to a small flattened summ...Read more