Maricopa trail (the paved one) is still closed! It's the only paved trail (so of course it's my favorite!) but I've been back several times and always closed. :( read more

I've gone to this trial a couple of times. Beautiful view on top. Amazing human beings around. Always friendly & support each other to get to the top. I've seen a couple kids make it to the top as well. Spoke can run up & down a couple of times. As always stay hydrated! read more

North Mountain Park - The very top of penny Howe trail. Beautiful sunsets - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

My go to mountain every time I hike !! Love it and obsessed with it! I always encourage everyone I know to visit because it's so worth the workout and view ! read more

See all

I like hiking here. once you get into the path and in the hills you can't hear the city traffic or noise and you only see nature around you. a nice escape from town that is only a short drive away. last weekend I parked at the 7th St. parking lot (plenty of parking at 9 am) and took the 306 trail up to Shaw Butte until it connected to the 100 trail and back to the 306 in a big ~4 mile loop. it was a lot of fun and not too crowded! the other hikers and bikers were also really helpful in giving directions because I had never hiked there before and wasn't sure where to go. read more

I stayed within walking distance of the trailhead so walked to it around 11 AM this morning to check out the hike. I'm not a super avid hiker but also not in bad shape, and found the climb to be moderately strenuous. Definitely got my heart rate going but it was rewarding because even after just a small climb you could see cool views of the city. I wouldn't go way out of my way for the hike but it was cool enough for what it is. read more

North Mountain Park - View from midway - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

There's a lot to do here. This is a massive park and it's pretty heavily trafficked. There are a couple of hiking trails and ironically the most popular is the antennae service road because it's paved. The park does an absolutely horrible job marking the trails, which I'm finding to be very common around Phoenix. The trail I was looking for isn't marked except at the trailhead. At the top of the paved road, it veers off behind the cluster of radio antennas but there are no signs. Once I realized where the trail actually goes, it was much easier. But it took a couple of hours. And nobody there had any idea that other trail was even there. There's ample parking and satisfactory bathrooms both in the south parking lot and at the visitors center. The visitors center has limited hours. The views are spectacular and everyone should check this place out. The paved trail is moderate difficulty at best. The unlaced, unmarked trail that curves around the back side I would rate as moderately difficult. Bring water. read more

North Mountain Park - Not too challenging when the trail is paved but you can wear regular shoes. - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Sometimes I want a tough hike.. lately because Im injured with a bad knee.. I need a hike.. just not a tough one.. Here you get that.. Alot of bikers.. sometimes not the best etiquette of bikers.. beware of that if you have your iPod on high..and alot dont clean up after their pups.. eewww how RUDE! BUT I love this park.. and this time of year its beautiful.. read more

Great hike, several different trails to pick from. The location is so close, that it is probably my favorite mountain. read more

North Mountain Park - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

My dog and I come up here every weekend, and sometimes after work. It's easy to get to and there always parking. We used to frequent the more advanced trail, but until the construction is done we'll stick to the pavement. There's a trail for everyone and fitness level, and is a great spot to bring out of town guests. Awesome views of the city and plenty of wildlife/flora, all fifteen minutes from downtown. read more

North Mountain Park - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Great views of the surrounding city, especially around sunrise or sunset. The visitor's center is nice, and tells a bit about the desert and various surrounding fauna. This is a bit of a hike, if you go more than 20 minutes. If you're going during the day, don't let the beautiful desert deceive you -- that glowing orb above you (called the sun!) will kill you if you don't bring enough water and take enough breaks. read more

North Mountain Park - North mountain from the north side - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Nature is amazing everywhere. More of these parks need to exist. Taking a stroll here, breathing in the fresh air, makes you feel like a new person. Definitely recommend. read more

North Mountain has a lot to do with why I live where I live. Moving to Phoenix from a much more urban environment (DC area), I wanted to live some place I could walk a lot. Of course, it had been a while since I had been to Phoenix in the summer - and forgot I would NOT want to have to walk in the heat of most months! Phoenix isn't especially pedestrian, probably mostly because of that heat. North Mountain is where I walk. It's centrally located and the North Mountain National Trail 44 is a short, steep, paved hike, excellent for daily exercise. (There's a little shade in the mornings and late afternoons, if only I could wake up early enough to make it up there before work during the summer!) The trail, which begins at the Maricopa picnic area, is 1.6 miles round trip and while most of it is paved, the part that isn't is challenging enough to keep it interesting. Along the way, you'll gain 650 feet in elevation, giving you plenty of time to get your heart rate up, depending on how hard you exert yourself. Walking still does it for me. Some people go up and down several times. The folks who run it amaze me. I don't even hope to ever be that fit! :) Along the way, you can catch a glimpse of the Cardinal's stadium waaaay out in the West Valley and at the summit (2,104 feet), you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Valley. Most people hike to the summit and return the way they came; however, the trail is actually a loop and there is much less traffic and a more rugged hiking experience if you continue south and complete the loop. I can't wait for it to cool off so I can get back at it! Maybe I'll try to set the alarm a little earlier and see if I can pull it off... Maybe. read more

North Mountain? Where is that? Its north of the rest of them! Camelback gets all the press, South Mountain has the trails. North Mountain however has a visitor center! Seriously, its visitor center makes Camelback's port-a-potty look as ghetto as it is. It also has ample parking, take that Camelback you overrated Snottsdale bitch! North Mountain is really one of the nicest hikes I have done without leaving the valley. Its a great 2-3 hour hike that gets blood pumping, has some cool history and some excellent views. There are a few peaks to hit, some steep and challenging, some easy and beautiful. Along the way there are the ruins of an old restaurant that looks as though it'd have been a sweet hangout at one point, when horseback was a way to travel. As we got to the very top, there was a bearded old man with a headband meditating...we backed off to give him is peace. I belated realized that when you encounter the old man of the mountain you get to ask a question...ah well, he seemed pretty stoked that we didn't disturb him! read more

North Mountain Preserves Now that the cooler weather is here it's time to dust off the hiking boots and hit the trails. You can head in any direction in the valley and get to some great hiking spots. The North Mountain Preserve area is located south of Thunderbird from 19th Ave to Cave Creek Road and has numerous trails marked for any type of interest. Two of the trails I have successfully navigated are Shaw Butte (Trail 360) and North Mountain (Trail 44). Shaw Butte is a 4 mile trek with trail designation of multi-use, meaning bikers, runners and hikers share the path -- and are used by all. With various fitness and skill levels it makes it easy just to get out and enjoy. The view from the top is very impressive and the trail meanders around the peak to view the whole valley. On one hike I couldn't find parking at Shaw Butte, went around the corner and parked at North Mountain. This trail is shorter but steeper and is paved most of the way. This works a different set of muscles due to the incline. Give these hikes a whirl if you want to change your view of the valley. read more

The Phoenix area desert doesn't give the me kinds of choices I'd prefer to have for running or hiking with the dogs, but I make do with what's around. Jek and Doog sure seem to love getting out there; they don't give a crap where. (actually, they 'give a crap' just about anywhere but they prefer the grassy parks to the desert trails!) At North Mountain Park there are multiple parking and gathering areas and also a choice of the type of terrain you'd like to tackle: +If you are coming from Dunlap from the south, and turn left off of 7th St into the parking area, then you'll find the ramadas for picnics and gatherings and the trailheads for some steep trails, and a few restrooms. The incline on the summit trail is pretty steep, and narrow at times, and it will leave you breathing heavily even if you're a regular athlete. +If you come from Thunderbird from the north, and turn right into that parking area then you'll find a visitor center (I've never been inside of ) and some nicer restrooms. The trails that lead away from this parking area are much wider and flatter, so are suited for more leisurely strolls and appeal to a much wider spectrum of age and fitness level. They also work well if you want more of a cross country/long distance trek. You can head west in a few directions, including one towards Shaw Butte, or head east under 7th St through a cool pipe tunnel (literally several degrees cooler than in the sun or even a tree shade) , past the MCSO (Sheriff Joke's) horse stables, and on towards Dreamy Draw Rec area. No ramadas or grills here on this side, though. There are plenty of children, dogs, horses, and bikes on these trails so watch out for each other, and if you are not familiar with the Right-of-Way flow check out the signs at the trailheads. There are guided hikes advertised at the trailheads, as well. Park rangers or volunteers will lead small groups and educate about desert flora and fauna along the way. Very cool for valley noobs or guests. Staying on trails is good advice for anyone, but if you bring a dog, WATCH OUT for lots of broken glass on the sides of the main path!!! This seems to be worse up closer to the ramadas or visitor center, and lesser out further. You'd think there'd be some sort of effort to clean it up every once in a while, but it seems ever-present. If there's a volunteer crew I need to join up with to help, I just may have to do that, but I'd rather get a chance to give a piece of my mind to the punks who are creating the mess! Enjoy the desert; it's more beautiful than most give it credit for. Just respect it and bring lots of water. read more

North Mountain Park - Jaek Happy To Be On North Mtn Trail - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

For 2015, my pal Jose and I decided that while the weather's nice we were going to be more active. So, every Sunday we head up to North Mountain Park and hike for a couple hours. It's not only great light exercise, it's also allowed us to catch up on what's going on in each other's lives. Mostly he talks, because I'm lame and can only tell him about my Netflix addiction and "Pretty Little Liars" so many times. We enter off 7th Avenue and the terrain is very beginner level. Perhaps after a couple more weeks we can advance to the "bunny hill." read more

So cold this time of the year! We enjoy hiking North Mountain with my son and my nephew (5 and 4 yrs old). This is what usually happens...First, we bring some pumpkin seeds to feed the resident squirrels at the base of the mountain. You just scatter the seeds on top of the retaining wall and out they come. We hike up the rocky trail and halfway there the boys need to go pee. Down we come and off to the restroom (thank goodness it's close) we go. Hike up again but we don't go pass the paved driveway to the summit. Great execise FOR KIDS. They feel so empowered! when they reach the top. Then they show me their muscles. read more

The Short: Another Arizonan recreation area ideal for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The Pros: - Diverse trails that are perfect for almost all skill levels (except the most advanced). - Affordable $6 per vehicle entrance fee. - Camping options. - Play area for the kiddies. - Smooth inclines and properly maintained trails. The Cons: - Views often bland until backend of trails. - $6 per vehicle entrance fee (cause, you know, free is always better). - Increase in beverage dispensers would be nice. Interesting Fact: Park should be renamed Horse Poop Galore Recreation Area!!! read more

The park is a buzz of activity of all levels. On the trails you will see hikers, walkers,horseback riders, bikers and dogs. It 's a great place to begin an outdoor activity. This is where I usually begin my mountain biking so that I have some time in the saddle before going out on the trails with the big boys. The park is conveniently located in the "middle" of town . It is easy to access from downtown , northwest and elsewhere. While the trails are not too much of a challenge for those used to say, climbing Camelback or riding the trails of South Mountain, it is a great beginner level start for most. It is an access for Trail 100 , a much more challenging course for mountain bikers. read more

my first hike! This was really a fun trail. It was hard for me, but Its my first hike ever so I have no others to compare it to. The trail was paved the entire way, so I had ample opportunities to stop and catch my breath. The views are fantastic..I made it to the top in about 35 min, with about 4 stops. I'm sure if your fit, you can get up there much quicker than me :) read more

Great spot for a BBQ with the family. This beautiful location overlooks much of Phoenix from its picnic table/base camp area. The covered tables and pre-fab BBQ pits and pavilions were great for a family BBQ. Tables area surrounding areas are kept pristine. The area has a play ground for little ones, bathrooms and running water. Several of the pavilions are available for reservations for larger groups and there appears to be an active tour and hiking program at the park. The park is open until 11 p.m. and looks like it has an active night walking group from our time there. read more

This is a fun hike in north Phoenix for just about anyone in the family young or old(even the dogs as well). It's not to challenging and will only take about 20 minutes to reach the summit. Still a nice workout, almost feels like you are on a stair stepper as you hike up a consistent incline on a wide paved trail. This mountain offers great views of the valley and is a nice alternative to Piestewa or Camelback mountains which can get very busy with hikers. I recommend this hike for the person who wants to leisurely stroll up the mountain for spectacular Phoenix scenery or someone who wants a quick workout. read more

Great selection of hikes! I did trail 44 (I think). I took the paved path to the top, where you get killer views of the Valley. In fact, there are killer views the entire way up. The walk up is fairly easy and not very long. Once at the top, I wanted more of a workout, so I took the rugged way down. This path was super fun. A little more challenging than the paved path, and requires careful stepping. Once I got to the bottom I walked back up, and then back down the paved path. On the way back up the unpaved part, I got a teensy bit off trail, and had to shimmy my way down some loose rocks. It's pretty well marked, but I wasn't paying close attention. It took me a little over an hour to finish up 2x and down 2x. Really fun area! Do note: bathroom stalls inside restroom do not have doors. read more

I parked at the Visitor Center - tons of parking. Especially at 8am on a weekday. I had the intention of just doing an easy hike on trail #100 but as I passed the marker for the Shaw Butte trail, I decided I wanted something a little more strenuous. Starting out from where I did, it was a good warm up and cool down. I took the trail counter-clockwise. Like other yelpers have said, it is pretty smooth up to the top (although quite steep in parts) and very rocky on the way back down. It was my first time on this trail (I'm a beginner) so I tired paying attention to everyone's footwear. I would say there were half sneakers, half hiking boots. I was comfortable in my sneakers but could see how someone could twist an ankle if you weren't careful. By the time I got back to the parking lot, it was pretty full near the trailhead but there was still a ton of parking left. There are so many trails to choose from in Phoenix, I will definitely be back but not before checking out some of the others. read more

Great pIace for a short hike, wide trail, while strolling by many people. It is amazing that you can gain some altitude and the view from the top is spectacular. I like to go the smaller parking lot on the North side - go S. from Thunderbird onto Central and take it until it end. read more

This was my first experience at North Mountain and it could have been better. We recently relocated to Phoenix and decided to venture to North Mountain with our 2 dogs for a nice hike one evening. Perhaps we didn't choose the best trailhead. I'm definitely willing to go back and give it another shot since many other people in the area love it here. We parked at the main entrance right off 7th at Peoria. Having lived in the midwest for a while (and longing for mountains and open sky of the west) we were excited to have a potential hiking spot so nearby. I'm not exactly sure what trail we were on but we headed north....north in to a sea of broken glass. Broken glass everywhere! I was amazed at how much there was and wondered where it all could have come from. We had to be very careful navigating through it with our dogs. However sparkly and shimmery the glass was in the setting sunlight, "plentiful shards of glass" is not something I look for in a good hike. Now I will say that as we headed north it got much better. Eventually we landed upon another trailhead. After looking at a map we determined it was one off N Central. I think next time we'll start from there and hopefully can add another star or two to this review. read more

We absolutely Love North Mountain! Great hike. When we lived in Arizona we would try to hike it every weekend before heading to the gym! Gets a little crowded on the weekend in the early afternoon but it's not so bad. Round trip is about 1.4 miles. Pretty easy hike. #NomadicMavericks read more

North Mountain Park - Up at The Top of North Mountain! As you can see the picturesque panorama View of the Phoenix Area is breathtaking! - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This is a great hiking area. Great views. You get a good workout going up the mountain. They also have picnic areas which are popular on the weekends. They have a covered area with a water fountain. In this area are also chipmunks and squirrels that will eat out of you hand. They have 2 entrances, one on 7th st and Peoria and just a little north on 7th. The 2nd parking area is very small and always full. The one at Peoria has ample parking. The start of the hike there though is very steep. The other one has paved trails from the start. read more

See all

A worthy trail if you have a stroller, a phobia of large rocks, or want to run up a mountain without shattering your ankles Since the road is paved, it's a super calf work out as compared with the rock climbing of Camelback. The route is not too strenuous, a decent challenge for the unfit. North Mountain Park lovers might disagree, but don't expect a great view next to the antenna. On a weekend it can be super crowded like the mall escalator.. I entered from 7th street and Peoria, and went to the top. This route has some rocks and quick elevation, but eventually connects to the paved road. A so so work out, which will be erased after a massive post walk meal. Door to Door: 1 hour Completely paved route starts at 11572 7th Street. read more

I like this place! It's close to where I live and it's easy to park there on a Sunday morning at 9am. HOWEVER I do NOT like that it is SOOOO rocky... and I mean rocky not in the fun, boaldering and climbing way, but in the don't wear your barefoot-shoes or toe-shoes because your feet will be hurting and you'll be jumping all over the path. Once you're in the mountains though, it's very nice, and the path is what you would expect from mountain trails. Dogs are allowed and the people who hike are nice! I would prefer South Mountain though, just because the trail to get to the cool trails is dirt and sand... which in my estimation is 69 billion times better than rocks in the road.... read more

This is a great place for a stroll or strenuous mountain hike, but trails are not marked well, so you should us an app like All Trails if you are prone to making wrong turns or getting lost! Trust me on this! Have fun! read more

I'll have to agree with the other reviews of this delightful cardio challenge and always bring the water. Parking at the Central trailhead is easiest if you're there before 7am. It's interesting that there will be a line of cars waiting for a parking spot to open up when the 7th St. trailhead has ample parking. The first of the 4 inclines is the most challenging, but it raises the heartrate & I can keep it elevated the rest of the climb that way. The trail is frequently busy, and some hikers forget that up-hill has right of way, but the trail is wide enough that it usually isn't an issue. For an added challege, after I reach the summit, I decide the other side to the first "landing," and then have another steep incline back up before it's downhill all the way. This is my favorite easy workout in this area. Lookout mountain is also steep, but doesn't have the same challenge/distance. read more

Awesome hiking spot!! I live near by and love the different trails and scenery. Got to the top where the antennas and you will see a great view of the valley all around. And parking is always available, not like Squaw Peak. read more

North Mountain Park - In the valley at North Mountain. - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Easy to access and park. Multiple trails. Mostly paved for easy walking. Bring lots of water. Great for dogs to accompany their owners. The views are spectacular. Some shade on parts of the mountain so not always in the sun. Definitely would return read more

North Mountain Park - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Been going to this hiking place for several years and it remains to be a fave of mine. They recently improved the trail which is good since it's becoming more friendly to hiking beginners. You can either walk the concrete walking path or do the rocky hiking path towards the top of the mountain if you like to challege yourself. read more

North Mountain Park - view at the top of north mountain at 0600 am! beautiful phoenix scenery - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This mountain park is a very accessible for all kinds of activities - biking, walking, hiking, running or landscape photography. It is also pet friendly. I went hiking at the Shaw Butte trail. This trail is about 2.2 mi from the visitor center parking lot up to the peak of Shaw Butte. It is a rocky trail with a slight incline and moderate difficulty. Highly recommended for beginners hiker or hikers with dogs. The trail is supposed to loop around on the other side of the butte but we couldn't find the loop around trail. The end of the trail is not very pleasant. There are several electrical towers and shacks. Photo spots are best from a small mountain right before the one with the electrical towers. The visitor center is staffed with very helpful volunteers and has an education center for those interested in learning about the plants, animals and insects that can be found in this mountain park. I would definitely go back to this park but would love to try different trails. read more

This morning was my first time hiking North Mountain and it was absolutely beautiful. I am very pleased with the trail and I liked that it was paved. With a few breaks to breathe, I made it to the top. I will definitely be back and hope to make it a routine to hike here. read more

North Mountain Park - At the top! - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Paved road so u can run to the summit without worrying about rocks. Not much of a nature feel like the other mountains but I enjoyed my hike/climb read more

North Mountain Park - Look for the animal - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I've hiked North Mountain several times including the national trail, Shaw Butte trail, and the loop nature walk. I think I liked the national trail the best because the payoff is great. The views are amazing. This mountain is semi difficult, but I really enjoy hiking here. The trails are busy but not TOO busy. I have never had difficulty finding parking. I will definitely hike here again! read more

We started our hike from the Central/7th Ave. entrance. This is quite a hike initially. You will be out of breath if you're not a cardio master. I've been working out 5 days a week for the past 6 months and I was huffing and puffing a bit. I felt like a chump because I was having a rough time at first, but after the initial hill, it's not bad. The views of Phoenix are beautiful, but like Dan E.'s review said......"Don't let the beautiful desert deceive you" it is toasty up there even on a beautiful 85 degree day like yesterday. Always bring water! read more