My husband and I really enjoy coming here for evening nature walks! Although it's located within Phoenix, it feels like you are outside of the city. I also like this side of North Mountain/ Shaw Butte area, since it's a little more quieter and less popular then the south side. There is a nice, clean bathroom at the visitor center, lots of parking. It's really a great place to do all kinds of levels of hiking and just be out in nature. read more

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I met up with a friend here on Saturday morning for a Shaw Butte hike and I loved it! Great way to get the day started! I have been down the street at the other end of North Mountain, but this was my first time over on this side. Ample parking at 8am, restrooms available and the hike around Shaw Butte was lovely. I had a great time! A little bit of cardio (I could have done more uphill - maybe next time I'll jog it up), beautiful scenery and great company! The weather was also lovely as can be. After we hiked, I checked out the visitor center and wowsers the place was loaded with info and items for purchase. A very nice volunteer chatted me up, tried to get me to volunteer (I had to say no but was tempted), talked to me about a Rattlesnake Garage talk starting at noon and other activities they have here. It's a really nice visitor center with books, Native American arts and snacks for sale here. Hours are limited so check the times when they are open. I stayed a bit for the Rattlesnake Garage and it was neat to see all the different kinds of snakes we have here! I'll definitely be back here again for a hike and visit when I am up this way! read more

There were plenty of people there on a Saturday. They helped us find a good trail, gave our dog a treat, and were so friendly! Great spot for a quick hike. read more

North Mountain Visitor Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This review is for the Vistor center. Nice indoor center with nice bathrooms. There's a little gift shop with books, rocks and informational packets. The volunteer workers are very nice and knowledgeable. Sometimes they have live music and snacks on the weekends. They also have authors come and talk about their books and do book signings. read more

Nice little hiking trails! Located across the street from the Tapatio Cliffs Resort. A few ways you can go. Nice views and easy hike. Maybe you'll find the waterfall that's close by! I didn't go into the center. Just did some exploring around! read more

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Perfect place to buy gifts for self and others. Nature items, books, & stuffed animals I haven't seen before ( a coati and a turkey vulture). There's lots of jewelry, art, coasters and so much. The room is quite large so shopping is easy and convenient. They take credit cards. The staff are all volunteers. read more

Great location for a desert hike. Access the trail 100 and many others. Fun time hiking the Shaw Butte trail and area read more

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I appreciate any trail with restrooms and water, but North Mountain has the bonus of a nice visitor center. Restrooms were clean. There was plenty of information available about the trails and trail maps. There is a moderate sized parking lot. I hiked the Shaw Butte and Charles M Christiansen Loop Trail which is rated MODERATE and is 4.9 miles and 918 ft elevation gain. Dogs are allowed. These trails contain some significant inclines, providing good exercise. read more

North Mountain Visitor Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This building is the northern counterpart of the visitor/education center of South Mountain, and is more easily accessible to the people of northern and central Phoenix. The building is well maintained and the relatively recent remodel has provided many impressive visual displays of the geology and the living community of the North Mountain/Shaw Butte system. The displays - both actual geological specimens and stunning photographs of the mountain biota - and their accompanying captions and printed explanations make the center a great resource for enabling adults and children to better appreciate the geology and the wildlife of the area. Literature, gifts, and refreshments are available for purchase, the restrooms are very clean, and there are classrooms and spaces available for instructional gatherings as well as social functions. read more

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One of my favorite hiking spots in valley, close and multiple trails to chose from. Stay hydrated during summer months read more

North Mountain Visitor Center - Yay! Saturday morning hike! - Visitor Centers Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

North Mountain road to the towers is closed?! The helpful ladies in the visitor center said the road may be permanently closed as well as parking areas on that side of the park. They said plans are up in the air and there will be no access to North Mountain until At least September. The trails from this visitor center and Shaw Butte are open. Buy the Phoenix Mountains map by Green Trail Maps here if you are looking for a great trail map of the area. read more

North Mountain Visitor Center - View of North Mountain from Shaw Butte - Visitor Centers Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This review is actually for the trails that the visitor center supports. The helpful ladies in the center will assist you with directions and trail tips. On this very warm day I headed up the tower trail. Need a good workout then this is the trail for you. You start off on a typical desert flat trail, through some washes, and just keep going right. Knowing I was going to hiking straight up I brought extra water and it was a good decision. You go up up up and you will see some folks bent over grasping for air. Since it was so warm I took my time and stopped to take photos. Adding to the difficulty the trail has a lot of loose stones so watch your step, especially going down. Once at the top make sure you go all the way up to the towers and take a few photos , have some water, and get ready for gravity to take effect as you double time it down the trail. The day I hiked it was in the upper 80s and sunny. I saw people heading up with no hat, and/or no shirt, and a small water bottle. Unbelievable! Good times!! read more

Great location for hikers and mountain bikers alike. There are paths easy enough to bring along your kids, dogs, out of shape siblings, etc. But you can run up some of the more steep/aggressive portions for more of a workout. This mountain is not as crowded as some of the other Phoenix trails--so it is worth the extra drive. read more

Cool mid-mod building on 7th street, at an entrance point to trail 100. Very clean, well-maintained, and informative. Lots of parking if you are visiting the park by car. There are some fun easy hikes/runs and beautiful views to be had here! I'm subtracting one star only because the doors to the stalls in the women's restroom were missing (the restrooms themselves were immaculate but that was an unpleasant surprise). read more

This was a great stop to gain information regarding a hike that I'm considering of shooting a sunrise and or sunset. The volunteers that work at this center was so helpful, and knowledgeable. A big shout out to people volunteering the love and passion for us! read more

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Visitor center has gift shop, year round community programs, and offers a reading room. Reading room is stocked with books on Arizona & is super kid friendly. Kids reading program inside reading room with 12 book reading log with local rocks as prizes for reading one book every time you are at the center. Plus, outdoor wildlife viewing exit available inside center. read more

This is the largest entry spot into the North mountain park. It is clean. There are Rangers to help with trail and wildlife information. The hike itself up Shaw Butte is on a maintenance road for the towers at the top. It is pretty strenuous but being a road of sorts there is no congestion as hikers of different abilities pass and get passed. The views of the West Valley are great and well worth the hike. read more

This is a wonderful, wonderful place. The volunteers are very helpful and quite informed on the desert hikes available around the center. There is a wealth of information on the Phoenix desert habitat and related topics like wildlife, birding, mountain biking, and the like. The library is quiet, very clean and well stocked but readers are not able to check out books. The Desert Guppy Reading Program is available, free of charge, to school age readers. Children can earn a very special rock for each book they read. After collecting all 10 rocks, they receive a free book of their choice! The Center also has an amazing museum, bird watching area, and gift shop with locally handmade items. read more