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Phoenix, Arizona

Top Spots in and near Phoenix

  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Piestewa Peak Summit

    4.4
    2.25 mi / 1050 ft gain
    Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak and conveniently located in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is a relatively short hike that yields impressive views of the city and is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Piestewa Peak is a popular spot for locals who do not want to drive or...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Freedom Trail Loop

    5.0
    3.8 mi / 1093 ft gain
    As the third longest trail in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the Freedom Trail provides a great option for those looking for a longer hike, which can also be made even a bit longer by bolting on the Piestewa Summit hike along the way (adds 1.2 miles additional and a view from the top!). Many look...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Mojave Connector Trail #202

    2.18 mi / 820 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    North Mountain Trail

    4.7
    1.42 mi / 571 ft gain
    Beginning from the start of the trail on 7th Street, this short hike can be a good quick workout that offers great views of the greater Phoenix area.  Be aware that this hike is a fairly steep climb 600 feet to the top.   Once you reach the summit of North Mountain you'll find great views of the...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Mojave Trail #200

    4.5
    1.88 mi / 430 ft gain
    The entrance for the Piestewa Peak area is located at 2701 E. Squaw Peak Drive. The Mojave Picnic Area & Trailhead is the first parking area on the right. This is a very popular trail when the outside temps drop a bit so get there early for sunset hikes to ease parking. The trail begins on t...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Ruth Hamilton Trail

    3.32 mi / 981 ft gain
    Ruth Hamilton Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Phoenix, Arizona.
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Quartz Ridge Trail

    4.5
    2.29 mi / 509 ft gain
    Quartz 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...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Shaw Butte Trail

    5.0
    4.22 mi / 866 ft gain
    The Shaw Butte Trail is a short loop hike that leads you to the top of Shaw Butte in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.  Beginning from the trailhead on Central Avenue, The first section of trail follows a steady uphill service road to the top.  Near the top you'll find an array of towers and a good...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Shadow Mountain Loop

    2.07 mi / 600 ft gain
    Shadow Mountain Loop is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Phoenix, Arizona.
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain

    4.5
    2.46 mi / 1214 ft gain
    If 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...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Climb the Praying Monk

    4.3
    0.5 mi
    Park 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...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Climb the East Face of the Praying Monk

    0.5 mi / 200 ft gain
    5.6 Sport climb, up an 80 foot face, 9 bolts to the top.  This was the first outdoor climb for myself. It opened the doors to getting out of the gym and becoming a part of the local climbing community. I highly recommend it, as it is not too difficult, and can be done with a group of people.  The...
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  • Paradise Valley, Arizona

    Camelback Mountain via Cholla Trail

    4.5
    2.68 mi / 1158 ft gain
    This challenging hike up the east side of Camelback Mountain has beautiful views of Phoenix and Scottsdale, and is not often crowded. You will begin on switchbacks heading up the mountain, with trail markers to guide you at first. The hike increases in difficulty about 1 mile in, when you reach ...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Hike the West Park Loop Trail in Papago Park

    4.4
    4 mi
    This trail begins from the parking lot on the west side of Galvin Parkway. To the east of the parking lot is a single track, dirt trail that heads north towards the big buttes. It continues counterclockwise around the big butte and heads south around the smaller butte. It continues west around th...
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  • Phoenix, Arizona

    Hole in the Rock

    3.6
    0.27 mi / 200 ft gain
    Papago Park is located right next to the Phoenix Zoo. The park is known for its rock formations and short hiking / running trails. The main attraction, the Hole in the Rock, at the top of the short trail, is a great place to take pictures as it is one of the highest points in the area and it off...
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  • Tempe, Arizona

    Catch a Sunset from Tempe Town Lake and the Mill Avenue Bridge

    4.5
    Last year I went to Phoenix for a few days for work.  I googled lots of places to shoot pictures around Phoenix, but the majority of them were in neighboring areas, and I only had an hour or two after work and couldn't drive an hour to a better photography spot.  One place that kept coming up was...
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Camping and Lodging in Phoenix

Cave Creek Group Site
Cave Creek, Arizona

Cave Creek Group Site

Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey
Apache Junction, Arizona

Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey

Turney Gulch Group
Crown King, Arizona

Turney Gulch Group

Horsethief Cabin
Crown King, Arizona

Horsethief Cabin

Guides, Insights and Stories from Phoenix

The 5 Best Hikes In Phoenix

The 5 Best Hikes In Phoenix

Kevin Kaminski

7 Hikes You Need to Do in the Phoenix Area

7 Hikes You Need to Do in the Phoenix Area

Calvin Weibel

Marmot Men's Alpha 60 Vest Review

Marmot Men's Alpha 60 Vest Review

Kevin Kaminski