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Love this trail! I do the saddle 2-3 times a week. There's shorter hikes (2-4m) or longer hikes (4-6m) Not to vertical, not super strenuous. It's a nice, pretty, calming, quiet hike. It depends on the day, with how many people will be on the trail. Sometimes it can be busy. But for the most part, they seem to have hikers etiquette. The only thing I'd ask is, if you have a dog and you're walking by someone, put the dog on the short leash, and keep it to yourself. I personally love dogs, but not everyone does. Some people actually have a fear of dogs. Respect on public trails, is always NEEDED!
Went the entire 4.4 mi loop! This is a popular route with our trek Sunday morning (February 2026) being accompanied by many families, groups and people of all ages. Although it was busy, we still had stretches of solitude. It was moderate, rocky terrain (large and small rocks), so be prepared with shoes with good traction (hiking boots not necessary, but good to have!). Preserve us well-kept, and was even staffed this morning! Did the hike on 2h 15m with many stops. Also, getting here is very easy, and parking lot is large and paved.
This is regarding the Tom's Thumb to Bell Pass trail which is 13 miles. Start early and BRING LOTS OF WATER. I think it took us 6 hours. We had our friend bring icy cold Gatorade from the other end of the loop (mostly for morale), and we went in February. The trail has two steep summits and has rocky shards on the way down, so going up and down sucks equally. This trail is commonly used to train for the Grand Canyon. Definitely a mind over matter trail. The trailhead has nice parking, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. There are many trails ranging in difficulty and the easy ones are very popular. But even on the more difficult trail you will occasionally run into people.
It's been 5 years, so I'm updating my review! I am a regular at this trailhead and it is my favorite one in the valley and happens to be the closest one to me. I enjoy hiking early in the summer because of cooler temps but also less people! Always a perk as someone who enjoys the solitude of the mountains. I've done the Gateway Loop plenty of times but the last few years, I've incorporated additional trails into my routine. My personal favorite is the Bell Pass Loop, which is about 9.5 miles (15k) and takes you around the mountain to some quieter areas. I prefer going counter-clockwise but have done both directions. I've done Bell Pass Trail, which takes you to the summit of that one and back to the trailhead, which is 7 miles (11.2k). I've also hiked to Tom's Thumb from this trailhead which is about 11 miles (17.7k) roundtrip, which is nice because the trailhead for that trail is much further to drive to. Depending on the time of year, you will get to see a variety of wildlife and fauna, plus stunning views of the mountains and valleys. Throughout the years, I have seen deer, javelinas, desert tortoises, rattlesnakes, garden snakes, rabbits, lizards, tarantula, chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and probably more! I've seen a few owl feathers but no owls yet. I enjoy encountering wildlife because it reminds me that this is their home and we are just visiting. Regarding the rattlesnakes, keep your eyes (and ears) open as they can be found on the trails. Most hikers will warn you when they see one, even in the remote parts of the trail (if someone else is around). Overall, this is a wonderful trailhead that is well-maintained with bathrooms, water fountains, bottle refill, maps, volunteer stewards, plentiful parking, and the best part: a variety of trails! Highly recommend.
I love this place and haven't been in years since I moved to South Phoenix. I was meeting a friend for lunch in the area and decided to do a quick hike on one of the trails. It was a beautiful day with beautiful scenery. There were so many cars in the parking lot. I didn't want to be amongst the crowd if there was one so I chose the immediate trail to the left before entering the park gateway. I can't remember the trail name but it was peaceful. There were people walking back on my way in but it was less busy going in.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS TRAIL PARK. I had actually lived across the street and built a home there when this park was being built and we were fortunate enough to be invited when it opened. And since then we have moved, however I return when I am in Arizona and try to get at least a small hike in. It is just a wonderful spot. There is plenty of parking. We do not need to be right on top of the entrance. There are restrooms and water fountains. I usually do the gateway loop but because of an injury I've been doing the saguaro loop which is a much easier out and back mile or 2 mile hike. Always take water or supplies, even if you are an experienced hiker. Gateway is a little bit more difficult. Saguaro is great for beginners and even families. With a very small rise in elevation it basically is just a loop that goes out in front of the mountain and back down towards the park entrance. What I also like to do is when I'm coming back from it is walk the botanical garden path which is beautiful. That is a hard packed surface so if you are mobility challenged or not a hiker, this might be the spot for you. Park open space up upon sunrise and sunset. If you want that desert experience, this could be a great place for you, especially if you're visiting Arizona. You don't need to hike - you can enter the welcome center and then cross the bridge and take pictures amongst the saguaro cactus and have the mountain behind you as back. Always remember to take out what you brought in whether that's trash or a doggie bag.
Great hiking choice. The stewards were so helpful. We did the 2 miles round trip loop and then the educational one. Really great views. Highly recommend!
Without a doubt, one of my favorite trailheads at the McDowells! Tons and tons of ample parking with clean restrooms. Conveniently located and a great start to get you on what I refer to as the backside of the McDowells The only issue is you're forced to contend with a fairly major section of the Gateway Loop. It's obviously one of the more popular trails in the McDowells as it is relatively flat, it's easy for everyone and it's a "Gateway" to other sections of the preserve. I really don't have any other cons to this trailhead other than the popularity of it simply again, due to that popular Gateway Loop. Otherwose, the parking lot, trailhead and restrooms are quite pleasant and an awesome way to start your hike!
I had a great time hiking the trails at this Preserve. There's levels for all hikers. The entrance area is nice with clean toilet rooms and nice water fountains-even a foot activated one for dogs at ground level. The views from the upper elevations are fantastic! I'm looking forward to doing more trails here in the near future.
I've been hitting this trailhead early in the mornings quite a bit this year. The Gateway Trailhead is part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The starting point has a shaded facility with clean restrooms and a park ranger on hand to help guide you. They do have paper maps available if you need one. The beginning part of the loop can be packed at times. But once you get going, the foot traffic smooths out. In addition to cacti, there are beautiful wild flowers and lots of little desert critters along the way. They even have a small flat nature trail with interactive exhibits that is great for all ages. What I like about this trail is that you have many options to choose from. You can make it a short day or make it longer by accessing one of the many other trials that branch off of it. The Gateway Loop is around 4 miles and is rated moderate. Wear good shoes as the trail can be a little rocky. The most important thing to remember is to bring plenty of water (especially during the summers). Gateway Trail is both dog and bike friendly. Just keep in mind that they do prohibit electric bikes and dogs must be on a leash. The parking lot is pretty large and easy to find and open from dusk to dawn. This is Arizona - we have snakes. So don't mess with them if you see one.
So here's the thing - you need to get here before other people. I love hiking or trail running here solo for conditioning because it's very safe with lots of regulars BUT my goodness it can get way too crowded. Aim for a weekday if possible, and if not, get up and get out early on the weekend. Great restrooms at trailhead. *If you are used to 'zona you'll be fine, but if you are not from the desert do take water and wear some shoes with good soles. This is a particularly rocky trail, be sure you have good support on your feet. ***There's no shade, so do not test the limits with your dog if it's getting too warm.
Started this hike at 6:45am on a Wednesday and not too busy. I did pass a handful of people, but the majority of the trail was just me, my pup, and nature. There is a good size parking lot and plenty of open spaces. There's a shaded area at the entrance with water fountains. The hike is about 4 miles for the loop. I went clockwise. The elevation gain was about 330 feet. Took me just under 2 hours. This is a good hike as it's fairly easy, but you do get some cardio in. Perfect for wanting to get out but not do a hard hike. Also good for those not used to hiking. You can also make this easier or harder depending on how you feel as there are many trails that branch off. There was a section of the hike (pretty much from top and back down) where there were so many gnats! At any given time I had 5 on me and they kept trying to fly up my nose and landing on my face. It made the rest of the hike not so pleasant. I'm not sure if it was the time of day/ season/ my scent but I've never encountered this on other hikes around the valley. Minus 1 star for this.
I'm proud to announce that those as my very first hike as an Arizona newcomer and I'm so glad I did it. This trail was easy to find and had smoke parking. I love that it has several different trail options ranging from easy to very difficult. Every sign was easy to understand and follow. Everyone in the trail was so nice and patient with newbies like myself. Patrons brought their children and family pets along. The weather was perfect even at 8a! It seems the higher up we went the more frisk the air smelled. There were breathtaking views perfect for selfies and hikers even offered to snap photos for us. I love this trail and it's only 10 minutes from my home as I live near Greyhawk. This will definitely be my go to trail from now on.
1 year ago
9 months ago
A great variety of trails to hike! It is dog friendly, but be weary of the rocks and cacti. So many amazing opportunities for pictures! If you're visiting, they have volunteers (called Stewards) that can recommend trails, provide maps, and more! They have nice bathrooms and water fountains with a bottle fill station too. Wonderful place to go hiking, regardless of hiking ability! read more
The Gateway Trailhead is fully barrier-free and has all the amenities an outdoor recreation enthusiast could want. We had our elderly parents with us, so we did this Bajada Nature Trail. The trail is laid out like a figure 8. Trail Surface: 100% of the trail surface is hard and surfaced with stabilized decomposed granite. It was a good light walk after a meal with the family. read more
Love this trail! I do the saddle 2-3 times a week. There's shorter hikes (2-4m) or longer hikes (4-6m) Not to vertical, not super strenuous. It's a nice, pretty, calming, quiet hike. It depends on the day, with how many people will be on the trail. Sometimes it can be busy. But for the most part, they seem to have hikers etiquette. The only thing I'd ask is, if you have a dog and you're walking by someone, put the dog on the short leash, and keep it to yourself. I personally love dogs, but not everyone does. Some people actually have a fear of dogs. Respect on public trails, is always NEEDED! read more
Went the entire 4.4 mi loop! This is a popular route with our trek Sunday morning (February 2026) being accompanied by many families, groups and people of all ages. Although it was busy, we still had stretches of solitude. It was moderate, rocky terrain (large and small rocks), so be prepared with shoes with good traction (hiking boots not necessary, but good to have!). Preserve us well-kept, and was even staffed this morning! Did the hike on 2h 15m with many stops. Also, getting here is very easy, and parking lot is large and paved. read more
This is regarding the Tom's Thumb to Bell Pass trail which is 13 miles. Start early and BRING LOTS OF WATER. I think it took us 6 hours. We had our friend bring icy cold Gatorade from the other end of the loop (mostly for morale), and we went in February. The trail has two steep summits and has rocky shards on the way down, so going up and down sucks equally. This trail is commonly used to train for the Grand Canyon. Definitely a mind over matter trail. The trailhead has nice parking, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. There are many trails ranging in difficulty and the easy ones are very popular. But even on the more difficult trail you will occasionally run into people. read more
It's been 5 years, so I'm updating my review! I am a regular at this trailhead and it is my favorite one in the valley and happens to be the closest one to me. I enjoy hiking early in the summer because of cooler temps but also less people! Always a perk as someone who enjoys the solitude of the mountains. I've done the Gateway Loop plenty of times but the last few years, I've incorporated additional trails into my routine. My personal favorite is the Bell Pass Loop, which is about 9.5 miles (15k) and takes you around the mountain to some quieter areas. I prefer going counter-clockwise but have done both directions. I've done Bell Pass Trail, which takes you to the summit of that one and back to the trailhead, which is 7 miles (11.2k). I've also hiked to Tom's Thumb from this trailhead which is about 11 miles (17.7k) roundtrip, which is nice because the trailhead for that trail is much further to drive to. Depending on the time of year, you will get to see a variety of wildlife and fauna, plus stunning views of the mountains and valleys. Throughout the years, I have seen deer, javelinas, desert tortoises, rattlesnakes, garden snakes, rabbits, lizards, tarantula, chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and probably more! I've seen a few owl feathers but no owls yet. I enjoy encountering wildlife because it reminds me that this is their home and we are just visiting. Regarding the rattlesnakes, keep your eyes (and ears) open as they can be found on the trails. Most hikers will warn you when they see one, even in the remote parts of the trail (if someone else is around). Overall, this is a wonderful trailhead that is well-maintained with bathrooms, water fountains, bottle refill, maps, volunteer stewards, plentiful parking, and the best part: a variety of trails! Highly recommend. read more
I love this place and haven't been in years since I moved to South Phoenix. I was meeting a friend for lunch in the area and decided to do a quick hike on one of the trails. It was a beautiful day with beautiful scenery. There were so many cars in the parking lot. I didn't want to be amongst the crowd if there was one so I chose the immediate trail to the left before entering the park gateway. I can't remember the trail name but it was peaceful. There were people walking back on my way in but it was less busy going in. read more
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS TRAIL PARK. I had actually lived across the street and built a home there when this park was being built and we were fortunate enough to be invited when it opened. And since then we have moved, however I return when I am in Arizona and try to get at least a small hike in. It is just a wonderful spot. There is plenty of parking. We do not need to be right on top of the entrance. There are restrooms and water fountains. I usually do the gateway loop but because of an injury I've been doing the saguaro loop which is a much easier out and back mile or 2 mile hike. Always take water or supplies, even if you are an experienced hiker. Gateway is a little bit more difficult. Saguaro is great for beginners and even families. With a very small rise in elevation it basically is just a loop that goes out in front of the mountain and back down towards the park entrance. What I also like to do is when I'm coming back from it is walk the botanical garden path which is beautiful. That is a hard packed surface so if you are mobility challenged or not a hiker, this might be the spot for you. Park open space up upon sunrise and sunset. If you want that desert experience, this could be a great place for you, especially if you're visiting Arizona. You don't need to hike - you can enter the welcome center and then cross the bridge and take pictures amongst the saguaro cactus and have the mountain behind you as back. Always remember to take out what you brought in whether that's trash or a doggie bag. read more
2 years ago
Great hiking choice. The stewards were so helpful. We did the 2 miles round trip loop and then the educational one. Really great views. Highly recommend! read more
Without a doubt, one of my favorite trailheads at the McDowells! Tons and tons of ample parking with clean restrooms. Conveniently located and a great start to get you on what I refer to as the backside of the McDowells The only issue is you're forced to contend with a fairly major section of the Gateway Loop. It's obviously one of the more popular trails in the McDowells as it is relatively flat, it's easy for everyone and it's a "Gateway" to other sections of the preserve. I really don't have any other cons to this trailhead other than the popularity of it simply again, due to that popular Gateway Loop. Otherwose, the parking lot, trailhead and restrooms are quite pleasant and an awesome way to start your hike! read more
I had a great time hiking the trails at this Preserve. There's levels for all hikers. The entrance area is nice with clean toilet rooms and nice water fountains-even a foot activated one for dogs at ground level. The views from the upper elevations are fantastic! I'm looking forward to doing more trails here in the near future. read more
I've been hitting this trailhead early in the mornings quite a bit this year. The Gateway Trailhead is part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The starting point has a shaded facility with clean restrooms and a park ranger on hand to help guide you. They do have paper maps available if you need one. The beginning part of the loop can be packed at times. But once you get going, the foot traffic smooths out. In addition to cacti, there are beautiful wild flowers and lots of little desert critters along the way. They even have a small flat nature trail with interactive exhibits that is great for all ages. What I like about this trail is that you have many options to choose from. You can make it a short day or make it longer by accessing one of the many other trials that branch off of it. The Gateway Loop is around 4 miles and is rated moderate. Wear good shoes as the trail can be a little rocky. The most important thing to remember is to bring plenty of water (especially during the summers). Gateway Trail is both dog and bike friendly. Just keep in mind that they do prohibit electric bikes and dogs must be on a leash. The parking lot is pretty large and easy to find and open from dusk to dawn. This is Arizona - we have snakes. So don't mess with them if you see one. read more
3 years ago
So here's the thing - you need to get here before other people. I love hiking or trail running here solo for conditioning because it's very safe with lots of regulars BUT my goodness it can get way too crowded. Aim for a weekday if possible, and if not, get up and get out early on the weekend. Great restrooms at trailhead. *If you are used to 'zona you'll be fine, but if you are not from the desert do take water and wear some shoes with good soles. This is a particularly rocky trail, be sure you have good support on your feet. ***There's no shade, so do not test the limits with your dog if it's getting too warm. read more
Started this hike at 6:45am on a Wednesday and not too busy. I did pass a handful of people, but the majority of the trail was just me, my pup, and nature. There is a good size parking lot and plenty of open spaces. There's a shaded area at the entrance with water fountains. The hike is about 4 miles for the loop. I went clockwise. The elevation gain was about 330 feet. Took me just under 2 hours. This is a good hike as it's fairly easy, but you do get some cardio in. Perfect for wanting to get out but not do a hard hike. Also good for those not used to hiking. You can also make this easier or harder depending on how you feel as there are many trails that branch off. There was a section of the hike (pretty much from top and back down) where there were so many gnats! At any given time I had 5 on me and they kept trying to fly up my nose and landing on my face. It made the rest of the hike not so pleasant. I'm not sure if it was the time of day/ season/ my scent but I've never encountered this on other hikes around the valley. Minus 1 star for this. read more
I'm proud to announce that those as my very first hike as an Arizona newcomer and I'm so glad I did it. This trail was easy to find and had smoke parking. I love that it has several different trail options ranging from easy to very difficult. Every sign was easy to understand and follow. Everyone in the trail was so nice and patient with newbies like myself. Patrons brought their children and family pets along. The weather was perfect even at 8a! It seems the higher up we went the more frisk the air smelled. There were breathtaking views perfect for selfies and hikers even offered to snap photos for us. I love this trail and it's only 10 minutes from my home as I live near Greyhawk. This will definitely be my go to trail from now on. read more
Everyone in the neighborhood knows about this gem. There are several trails from east to difficult and all types of people and families on the trails. We got here around 8:30. The late morning and on starts to get pretty packed. There is a bathroom area and water stations prior to hitting the trails as well as an information desk. Once you get a little fair in you will see the didnt trail options based on ease and length. What a beautiful view and right in north Scottsdale read more
3 years ago
A super fun trail. We went on a spring afternoon and it wasn't too hot. The trail is a little over 4 miles and took us just under 2 hours. Not super steep. Our 14 year managed it with no complaints! Beautiful views read more
I remember the ribbon cutting ceremony here, many years ago. I enjoy hikes here. I especially like the picture boards to educate the public about the beauty of the desert. It is a fun activity to do with kids of all ages. Plenty of parking. Clean restrooms. during cover 19 about half the people are polite and wear masks. read more
5 years ago
We did the shorter 1 mile loop trail with four pregnant ladies and one recovering from knee surgery. This mostly flat trail will offer you great views of the mountains, cacti, and downtown Phoenix without totally taxing you. This is a great quick option if it's already too hot for longer walks, for the short-legged, short-attention spanned people (children), and those short on time. If you want to make it a little longer, spin off and do the nature walk on your way back to the trailhead. The gatehouse has nice bathrooms, a bottle fill station and water bottle, diorama of the area, and help station. The staff running the building are so friendly, happy to take photos of your group, and have tons of knowledge regarding the trails. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and lots of water. This trail is 100% exposed ... just like everything else in Arizona. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Gateway Loop is a great little trail you can do in under 2 hours. My work hiking group tackles it once a week... it's that easy We even came across a rattler posting up right in the walkway. Thankfully, our resident reptile whisperer was able to charm it straight into the brush. He's a good one to stick close to But given the choice, I'd gladly stroll this path and dish with Princess Candy Empire any old day read more
4 years ago
Good for trail running. Good for giant saguaro cacti. Trailhead has bathrooms and a little amphitheater. Seems like a popular place for family photos near the trailhead. Gate closes 535 pm but people on the trailhead told me that there is a seeing eye gate that opens when you get to the gate from the inside. Not that strep inclines for first mile. After that the 700 some feet elevation gain is pretty mild compared to other peaks in Arizona but still got my heart rate up. Ran most of the trail. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Support your ankles and wear hiking boots (not sneakers) for this lovely, inclined hike. Great views along the way. Plenty of rose for parking .Didn't have a problem finding a parking spot. read more
6 years ago
Great local trail, you can go for a short hike or as long as you want, toilets and maps at the base trail head. Can be flat most of the time and very crowded with bikes and hikers. Get there early or go further on the trail, that will guarantee more nature and less lips flapping people. read more
Easy trails and very popular with tourist destination. If you want to hike on trail that less people, you can aim it to the right from the main trail. There are so many trail branches and just go and explore. Although you can get lost sometimes but there are always people that you can ask or get the hiking map that helps. March is best to spot wild poppies and other desert wild flowers and the weather is still pleasant. In April you'll see more cactus blooms in bright fuchsia but the weathers a bit warmer unless you start at 7:am. If you lucky enough you'll see wild desert tortoises roaming around the trails. This mountain is perfect for trail runs because it's mostly flat but be careful with rocks. Happy hiking & running! read more
6 years ago
So pretty there! Lots of flat little hikes... with Educational boards for the kids to learn stuff about animals and plants in the desert, & easy on the knees if you're worried about that. they have all kinds of trails and it's free to enter but they do close at sundown the in gate. Highly recommend a hiking area. Lovely views and great photo Opportunities Especially at sundown! read more
First time hiking the loop (4.4miles) with our kids. It took us about 2 hours because we took a lot of breaks. Much cleaner this time, looks like people are learning to pick up after their dogs. Occasional shade, loose gravel, very easy hiking down. read more
Great stopping point for the McDowells. There are multiple trails to hop to from the trailhead so regardless of the amount of bodies in the parking lot and at the staging area you can easily find yourself secluded in the Sonoran wilderness. read more
6 years ago
Very easy trail to go on. Clearly marked trails. The bathroom is very clean and well kept. There are very well marked information signs about the area life and flora. It looks like one can be in a wheelchair on the trail, it is wide enough. read more
6 years ago
6 years ago
This is a moderate-easy trail for me. Went with a small group. Didnt feel like an overlycrowded trail. Here and there bikers would need to pass by. Restrooms on site. Parking at 9am was a little tricky, as the lot was very full. read more
7 years ago
So happy we decided to come here! I was visiting for a bachelorette party and we hiked Camelback which was cool, but this was so much better. From gateway trailhead there are several different trails you can hike, including Toms Thumb. I only had time to run about 3 miles. The trail is flat with small rocks, but I was able to run on it with no problem. There were people of all ages, including small children because you can do as much or as little as you want. The website and yelp reviews don't do it justice, we almost passed on it. We weren't expecting anything great based on the reviews, but were pleasantly surprised. I would definitely recommend this trail. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
More info about Gateway Trailhead
Ask the Community - Gateway Trailhead
Can dogs go along on this trail? Are they allowed?
Yes. Leashes are required, they have poop bags and doggy water fountains too.
