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Boulder Canyon Trail - Superstition Mountain

4.7 (17 reviews)

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Andrea W.

I came here to do Superstition Mountain on a Sunday, and the overflow parking lot was pretty full when I arrived. I managed to snag a spot though and started the hike around 9:50AM. Going up, we got extremely lost and had to bushwhack our way back to the right trail which was unpleasant due to all the prickly plants, but eventually we got onto the right path and got up to Superstition Mountain. The scenery from above was quite good, especially the back side facing the canyon. The hike back down was alright too although there were some parts that went slightly up. All in all a pretty good hike with views; no shade though so bring plenty of water!

Sun rising
Matt U.

My little dude and I headed up here after a night at a hotel where he decided he was going to sleep for a total of 2 hours. My better half and I took turns trying to convince him that was a bad decision and come about 5:30 it was time for mom to get a little shut eye. Enter Yelp and a search for sunrise spots! We started driving East from Mesa and about 60 minutes later and 15 miles up a very dusty, but very well kept road, my little guy and I had one of those stories that I'll remember for a long time! The road weaves up into the hills for about 10 miles and is quite a fun drive, even in a rented Chevy Impala. We came as the sun was starting to come up and it made for some great pictures of the desert and the rock wall that greets you from the parking lot of the trail head. It was actually very reminiscent of the sun rising and setting at Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia. We didn't go hiking, though we did look at the map which looked very impressive. Additionally, we had some guy time in the car pushing buttons, because that's what's cool to an 18 month old, so obviously I was down! Make sure to bring a coat as you're up a surprising amount at the trail head and when the sun was coming up, it was chilly. Regardless of your circumstances, this is a great place to go watch the sun come up and get away from things for a bit, without having to go too far.

Eric B.

Up until recently, my only experience hiking the Supes has been up Flatiron at Lost Dutchman State Park. I knew there was more out there to explore but wasn't sure if my sedan could handle the roads. When I heard that the 88 (at least out to Tortilla Flat) was indeed paved, I planned my adventure and headed out to Boulder Canyon! The trailhead is across the street from the Canyon Lake marina area and does not require a Tonto Pass to park there! Once you hit the trail, you are met with an initial gradual uphill climb to nice views of Four Peaks, Canyon Lake, and Weaver's Needle off in the distance. If you're in the mood for a less strenuous and quick hike, this is the point where you stop, admire the scenery, and head back down. For the serious hikers, you then make a sharp descent into LaBarge Canyon. You hop over LaBarge Creek and it's cool waters and proceed onto Boulder Canyon/Creek. If you continue along this trail beyond Boulder, you apparently will reach Battleship Mountain (didn't venture that far but a few others I saw on the way were heading out to it). All in all, it's a great hike for getting out into nature with no civilization around whatsoever, and for working out all those lower body muscles! Remember, you will need them at the end to climb BACK OUT of the canyons to the vantage point described earlier in this review. A few final notes: *Bring plenty of water!!! This is a pretty lengthy hike and especially if you are hiking in warmer weather, the uphill/downhill shifts will leave you thirstier than usual. *PLEASE pack in what you pack out. Nobody wants to find trash on the trail. *You will likely find old artifacts and remnants of old adobe structures on the hike. Please leave everything as you found it to preserve for future hikers like yourself to enjoy. *Again, parking is in the lot for the marina. Swing left after going over the bridge and you'll find yourself in it. Enjoy!

Shannon M.

Awestruck. That is how I felt sitting on an overhang just off of the Boulder Canyon trail, taking in the most magnificent view I have seen since moving to Arizona. Enjoying the pleasant warmth of the sun and the light breeze, it was one of those rare moments where I wouldn't change, well, anything. The Boulder Canyon trail was my first venture into the Superstition Mountains/Tonto National Forest. What a great introduction! I am happy to know that something so enjoyable is less than an hour from my front door. First, the winding section of AZ88 to/from Canyon Lake Marina (parking for the trail) is an experience in itself. Definitely a take the convertible, drop the top, wind in the hair type of drive. Woo! Twists, turns, breathtaking views of the lake and rock formations, plus a couple of one-way bridges thrown in just to keep things interesting. The trail itself begins on the south side of AZ88, right across from the Marina, and immediately starts climbing into the hills. Parts of the trail are a little challenging, with loose rock and a couple of fallen saguaro to maneuver around/over, and a few areas with somewhat steep incline. Take it at your own pace, you will get there! (hint: if your friend is much faster than you and disappears into the distance, take solace in knowing you have the car keys... haha!) There is a lot to see along the way - cool rocks, huge cholla and saguaro that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss illustration. Due to the recent rain, everything was much greener than I expected too. The reward at the peak is more than worth the effort - a panoramic view of Weaver's Needle, Battleship Mountain, La Barge Canyon/creek and the Superstition ridgeline. Truly spectacular. If you haven't been here, add it to your to-do list. Now. In a couple of weeks, there should be wildflowers...

Checking out the view
Nancy R.

This is a beautiful trail about 60 minutes east of Tempe. The trip up the mountain is great in itself, but the trail is breathtaking. Great views of the Superstitions and Canyon lake, by far my most favorite lake. The hike is moderate I would say, and it runs 12 miles one way, although I've never done more than 3 miles in.

view from trail

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Awesome place. Some of the smaller side canyons are so cool to explore. Best in late fall, winter or spring. Too damn hot in summer.

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Ask the Community - Boulder Canyon Trail - Superstition Mountain

Review Highlights - Boulder Canyon Trail - Superstition Mountain

I can't comment on the hiking trail itself as I've only done the drive up AZ 88, but Canyon Lake is absolutely gorgeous.

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Hieroglyphic Trail Hoa

Hieroglyphic Trail Hoa

4.6(65 reviews)
10.1 mi

If you're looking for a great hike in the Superstition Mountains, Hieroglyphic Trail is absolutely…read moreworth checking out. The scenery is incredible and the petroglyphs at the end make the hike feel especially rewarding. A few things to know before you go: the parking lot is pretty small and fills up fast, so getting there early is definitely recommended. Otherwise, you may end up waiting for someone to leave. I also wouldn't risk parking in a no-parking zone because I've heard they tow pretty regularly. The trail description says it's "a 1.5 mile trail that climbs a gentle slope covered with many cacti then enters the lower end of a boulder-filled canyon, ending at a rocky section where pools persist for much of the year," and that's mostly accurate. There are some sections before the canyon where you'll need to scramble over larger rocks, but overall it's manageable for most hikers. Once you reach the canyon and the petroglyph area, the terrain becomes steeper with much larger boulders. There's also a small streambed with several pools of water, which was a nice surprise. The petroglyphs themselves are amazing and can be found on both sides of the canyon. You can get fairly close to several of them, which makes the experience even better. Bring plenty of water because most of the trail is fully exposed to the sun during the day. Once you reach the petroglyphs it's a great spot to sit, rest, and recharge There is shade inside the canyon, although when we arrived most of the shady spots were already occupied by other hikers. Overall, this is a fantastic beginner-to-intermediate trail with spectacular views, unique scenery, and a rewarding destination at the end. Definitely one of my favorite hikes in the area.

Such a beautiful hike ! Absolutely bring water. Saw some lizards along the way and beautiful cacti…read more The trail is well taken care of. As always remember to pack out what you pack in.

Photos
Hieroglyphic Trail Hoa - The valley view from the top.

The valley view from the top.

Hieroglyphic Trail Hoa
Hieroglyphic Trail Hoa

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Wave Cave

Wave Cave

4.4(56 reviews)
13.3 mi

worth it for sure only negative if there is one is the fact…read morethat it's out on the north east side of town and a solid drive from the west side of town, which has nothing to do with the actual hike the cave is pretty cool

Very popular Trail due to social media. It's within the Tonto National Wilderness area and so…read moreguidelines should be followed for the wilderness. The parking lot that had been used became so overcrowded that the forest service closed it March 2026. A large parking lot is located not too far from the Peralta Trailhead. This is the Lost Goldmine East Trailhead. A permit is not required to park or to hike this area. If you need a bathroom you need to follow the road to the end to the Peralta Trailhead. The trail follows along at the beginning of the hike on the Lost Goldmine Trail. Less than 1/2 mile you'll see a fence opening to the right. This is the beginning of the Carney Springs trail and will lead up to the Wave Cave. The Wave Cave section veers off to the left and the main trail will continue up to the Superstition Ridgeline. If you miss the fence opening you will continue hiking approximately 4 miles to the next parking lot, which is for the Lost Goldmine Trail and is the same parking lot for the Hieroglyphic Trail. The wave cave is a beautiful place for picture taking and it can get very crowded on weekends. So plan your trip to go early, making sure you have good hiking shoes, hat, and plenty of water.

Photos
Wave Cave - Snack

Snack

Wave Cave - Saguaro

Saguaro

Wave Cave

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Boulder Canyon Trail - Superstition Mountain - hiking - Updated May 2026

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