When the breeze brushes against your skin, the temperate weather of an early desert Spring, it beckons you to venture outdoors. Hiking in Arizona has been a long-time popular pastime. The trails, the vistas, the nature all create a tempting landscape that seduces any adventurer to traverse and explore. We are fortunate that there are so many beautiful and diverse trails in the surrounding area, so you don't have to go far to indulge in a love of nature.
Keep in mind the basics of hiking in our desert parks and make sure you take precautions. Always bring along enough water. A good measure of when to turn back is when you get through half of your water. Wear durable, closed-toed shoes, a hat, and sunscreen is always a good idea! One final reminder to stay safe is to stay on the path. No matter how interesting another area may look or in an attempt to get a great photo, always keep to the designated trail. Now that we've covered the basics, here is a collection of some of the most scenic places for you to roam.
San Tan Regional Park
Easy Hike: Moonlight Trail
Hard Hike: San Tan Trail
Size: 10,000 acres
What to Expect: Plenty of trails, horseback riding and cycling as well. Lots of desert vegetation and wildlife.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Easy Hike: Jacob's Crosscut Trail
Hard Hike: Siphon Draw Trail
Park Fee: $10 per vehicle
Highlights: Bird watching
Usery Mountain Regional Park
Size: 29 miles of trails
Easy Hike: Merkle Trail
Hard Hike: Pass Mountain Trail
What to Expect: trails are all multi-use with great vistas due to the elevation.
South Mountain Park
Size: 16,000 Acres
Easy Hike: Pima Wash Trail
Hard Hike: Ma Ha Tauk Trail
Highlights: Dobbins Lookout for great views of the Valley
