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    Picacho Peak State Park

    4.6 (87 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    summit pano
    Andrew H.

    A Via Ferrata...in America?! This style of climbing is so rare in the states that even many rock climbers have never, ever heard of it. The idea is that there is gear fixed to the rock that makes ascending easier. Often in the form of steel cables, chains, or even metal grips and foot holds. There are hundreds of such routes in the alps. In the states? Maybe a dozen? Anyway, this is the closest you'll get to experience via ferrata in the states, on public land. For liability reasons, the rare via ferrata that is in the US is usually on private land and requires heavy fees and instruction. (think: Zipline tours) This is mostly a steep hike but there are sporadic sections that require you to use your hands. If you're an experienced rock climber, you'll probably find these sections fun to do without even using the cables. If you've never rock climbed and/or are afraid of heights, you might be death-gripping these cables and shaking but...you can do it, you got this, we believe in you! Summit views are clear and free in 360 degrees. There's a fee to get in, but it is absolutely worth it. State Parks like this are very rare these days, Arizonans are lucky to have it!

    Emily L.

    If you want a hike that offers great, challenging fun, you need to check out Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail. This well-maintained trail is filled with rock climbs, steep descents, and plenty of areas where gripping the chains is the only (safe) way up. Head's up: This hike isn't for anyone who's deathly afraid of heights. You'll be pretty close to the edge in quite a few areas. But you'll have a blast challenging yourself across a few miles and over 2k ft of elevation -- Picacho is similar to Camelback, though you can use more upper body strength due to the vast amount of sturdy rope/chain barriers. Be sure to bring your water, sunscreen, grippiest hiking shoes, and (if desired) some gloves for the climbs. There may be a bit of a wait in one-way areas, but everyone on the trail was so friendly! Just be prepared to give people a shout and ask to take turns as needed. Other pro tips: There's plenty of parking, but the most convenient spots fill up by around 9am on Saturday. Shade is great on the first half of the mountain, so try to get back before midday. Park fee is $7/car for four people + $3 per person after that. Happy trails!!

    WW T.

    It was a great morning hike with a buddy. The hike was more technical at the top than expected. It started getting crowded on the way down, so I recommend starting early. The views were amazing as the sunrise rose over the peak. As always, we enjoyed our Turkish Coffee, aka jet fuel at the top!

    Nikki A.

    The three main trails offer easy, intermediate, and advanced options. March is unmatched with the beautiful view of wildflowers if we get enough winter rain. It's only $7 for the day and you can totally use one of the shaded benches to have a nice lunch with a view. One of my favorite spots to hike.

    Picacho Peak
    Ki'inani T.

    Pictures taken as we drove by in our Corvette, shot from the highway. Rainy day but still beautiful sight to see!

    Saddle
    Susannah L.

    Stopped by Picacho State Park when I was driving to Tuscon for Thanksgiving. The Park has some really beautiful trails. I wasn't able to make it to the top of the Hunter Trail (was wearing sneakers and kept sliding - it is really steep the higher you get on this trail), but I did what I could and then hike on some of the less steep trails in the Park. Next year, I'll pack my hiking boots and gloves so that I can make it to the top of the Peak. After hiking several trails, I drove around the park to get a full idea of everything the park offered. It has camping sites and picnic areas. If I lived in Tuscon I'd be at these trails at least once a month followed by picnics below. A great day trip and hiking place.

    Picacho Peak as seen from Red Rock Exit on 1-10. What a great place to hike.
    Gina A.

    TIP: THE SPRING WILD FLOWERS ARE SET TO BE A GREAT SHOW IN 2023. I STOPPED AND SPOKE WITH A RANGER WHO SAID 2ND WEEK OF FEBRUARY IS WHEN THEY WILL (LIKELY) APPEAR. WORTHY OF ANY PHOTO SHOOT AND A GLORY TO BEHOLD. Also, the Campgrounds have a great view of the face of Picacho Peak and nice facilities. Make a reservation, it's a popular place to camp and hike. Enjoy the comical scampering of the tiny squirrels (they make me laugh with their silly antics and yoga poses on warm rocks), watch for the hawks that nest in the peaks, don't wear colors that attract bees - particularly yellow, if you don't want to bee followed. The staff at the park offices are educated, friendly and welcoming. The hikes range from easy peasy, suitable for elders to kid friendly, to truly challenging (my son and I made it to the Saddle (Hunters Ridge) which was a hard and very physical hike that will leave you sitting in the saddle of the peak. Incredible. If you are going to do that one, must bring thick GLOVES so you can hang on for dear life to the steel cables that are necessary to make the ascent. We love this place. I go up and run up a moderate rated trail (Callaway .7 mile one way) and meditate at the top and run back down. Picacho is so accessible and a respite of calm along I-10. There's even a gift shop, drinks to purchase and nice bathroom. $7 per car for day pass or $75 for Year. Worth every penny.

    Princess D.

    Stopped by for a hike with my fiancé and this place definitely delivered!! We did the sunset vista trail and boyyy did we get a workout in. We made it all the way to where it meets the hunter trail and we were so dead that we ended up turning back lol. Overall had a great time and the trails are so clean it's crazy!

    View back to I-10
    Melissa C.

    This is a beautiful gem that's easily accessible from Tucson or Phoenix. This past spring, I planned to take my elderly mother but called ahead to see if the flowers were visible from accessible paths since she uses a cane. The helpful ranger informed me that the road through the park and several pull-offs offered ample views. She was right, which is fantastic news for those who aren't able to navigate the gravel paths. Several pull-offs also have picnic areas with shorter trails that offer various views of Picacho and the surrounding area. After we drove through and took in views from the car, we stopped at several of the picnic tables. My mom enjoyed the breeze and views from there, while I explored some of the trails. We really enjoyed our morning here and will be back again. I'll also come back with my partner in the winter to try Hunter Trail.

    A-Mazingggg!!! Beautiful hike. Worth the drive from Phoenix
    Missy R.

    This is the first time I've done this hike and I'm glad I made the drive from Phoenix. This is a perfect time of year to come out here. The hike involves some uphill at the start, a saddle area, then up some steep climbs followed with an amazing view. There are cables to help in the difficult areas. The downhill is technical in areas, but doable being cautious. Based on the reviews, I thought this would be really tough, however, if you've done Half Iron or Humphrey's peak, this is not as trying. I would recommend this hike to anyone looking for an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, great views, and physical challenge. Bring water, good gripping shoes (a must), gloves, friends for safety and help coming down the chute, snacks and a camera.

    About 2/3 of the way through to the top, approaching a steep vertical "ladder"
    Jennifer H.

    As an University of Arizona alumni, I'm ashamed to say that I never took advantage of this hike ever during my four college years in Tucson. I always drove by, thinking, "I realllllly need to stop by there some time!" Fast forward, some odd years later, after living in Oregon for several years and then returning to Arizona, I finally decided to hike it and have been forever in love with it. Now, instead of being only a half hour drive from me dorm, the drive is just under two hours driving from Peoria, in the NW valley! This hike is rated as Difficult. The peak is 3,374 feet. Most of it is climbing switchbacks. Some areas are steep so there are metal cords and horizontal poles to keep you upright as you make your ascent or descent the rocky terrain. At only 3-ish miles give or take a half mile depending on how much you "play" along your journey, you don't expect to be breathing hard, but you will be within the first 10 minutes. I think that's why I like it as sick as that sounds. I want to jump right into the "meaty" portion of the hike and get that heart working. In my BIASED opinion, when hiking it during January or winter months, provided it's good weather, I think due to the distance, I'd rate it more moderate-hard than straight difficult. However, during the summer, I think the climbing and light scrambling would be pretty strenuous and you'd require a lot of water and a hat for shade. This trail is a playground of sorts and I really enjoy the variety. It's definitely worth the drive out and I'd recommend getting a bite to eat in Tucson since it's nearby. You will encounter people that are afraid of heights, so just make sure that you have plenty of time to take the trail at a leisurely pace! Happy hiking!!!

    From the back side
    Jennifer S.

    You'll need to pay a daily fee but this difficult to the top is challenging but rewarding. Plan for 3-4 hours and bring gloves, water and a jacket to layer on and off.

    Jared S.

    Wow! What an intense hike this was!! The mountain looks so small and easy from the highway but...it's not lol. My friend and I did the Hunter's trail which is a steady incline leading to a descent around the side of the mountain and then a steep incline to the summit. Along the way are some cables to grip on. There's one section of cables where you go right near the edge which is kinda scary if you're afraid of heights, but there are cables and wires do you don't fall over the edge. Overall the hike was exhilarating and intense. If you're going to hike this, I recommend a good pair of hiking shoes and some gloves to help grip the cables. I didn't have gloves and my hands hurt after from the cables. The views from the top are really nice and worth the strenuous hike.

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    Challenging but worth it! The gloves were definitely clutch. Easy to purchase at the entrance.

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    It is a nice place to visit and hike. It has a lot of history. However their volunteers could be a little nicer

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    Ask the Community - Picacho Peak State Park

    Review Highlights - Picacho Peak State Park

    If you want a hike that offers great, challenging fun, you need to check out Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail.

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    Picacho Peak State Park - Picacho Peak - very pretty but cold

    Picacho Peak State Park

    (28 reviews)

    I've been a long time hiker and just absolutely love it! This is an AZ state park that I haven't…read morevisited until today! I saw a guided hike for the Sunset Vista Trail and signed up for it. This trail will take you up to the Picacho Peak, which is pretty cool! There hasn't been a peak that I've hiked to in my life that wasn't awesome! Do know that this hike is not recommended for beginners. $10 fee for day use and the visitor center out front has lots of items for purchase like books, T shirts, postcards, etc. Bathrooms also available. Sunset trailhead is the last stop on the map the ranger gives you. Ample parking and bathrooms available. We met our hike leader Charles at 10am and started on this hike. And while this hike isnt that long, about 3 miles one way, do know that the last mile of the hike is a lot of climbing up with many railings to help you up. If you're afraid of heights or not comfortable with climbing, I don't recommend this hike. Bring gloves, super helpful! Also, once you get to the top, it is more windy and cold (bring a jacket)! We took a lot longer hiking as a group vs me doing this solo but that was ok. I learned a lot about the history of this park and that there was a Civil War battle out here and all the different kinds of plants out here. Overall, a lovely day to be outdoors and I really enjoyed this hike, it was like a mini baby Angel's Landing in Zion! Definitely come and hike a few of their trails, its so pretty with all the saguaros and chollas! I loved it!

    This park is beautiful and well maintained. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We entered…read moreclose to closing and were given recommendations of shorter trails we could go on to make it in time before the trails close. We ended up staying to watch the sunset and it was beautiful. We will be back to hike up Picacho peak at some point.

    Veterans Oasis Park - Chandler Native Plant Oasis- check out Chandler Nature Center to learn how to volunteer.

    Veterans Oasis Park

    (168 reviews)

    The Veterans Oasis park has different walking trails, offers a lake for fishing, several benches…read morefor bird-watching, large covered ramadas, the Chandler Nature Center (Chandler Native Plant Oasis), and much more. Offers different signs to learn about wildlife and how to be safe. I came in early morning in mid-October and the weather was amazing. In the morning it was about 60 degrees. The park was active: people walking the trails, fishing, several people walking their dogs and there was a group of people with their dogs getting dog training classes. The park still offers plenty of space to enjoy your time outdoors.

    This is our favorite neighborhood park. We have seen it grow from a small park to a huge trail…read moreworthy, well kept oasis. Our favorite is going around the scenic loop around water, spotting the ducks, geese and the birds. There are so many exotic Birds specially during the spring, it's a sight. The wildflowers are beautiful and the large trees create a perfect canopy during the summer. We love biking and hiking too, this park has a cute little waterfall and is a favorite among photographers for shoots. There are programs offered in the community center for the kids for summer break and also activities with nature which is nice specially since it's involved with nature. There is also a nice display and tribute to the veterans with some installation arts. This place is worth a visit and wish there were some kids play structure to add to the beauty.

    Kartchner Caverns State Park

    Kartchner Caverns State Park

    (322 reviews)

    First rule of the cave.. no pictures lol. Hence, no pictures are attached. They say it's because of…read moreaccidents reported from people not paying attention. Also, basically nothing is allowed in the cave. They had lockers that takes quarters but as far as I saw, no machine, you have to exchange with cash soooo prepare ahead. Leaving things in the car felt some what okay but not my favorite. I would appreciate if they had more security. They say they are not government funded so everything comes from public support. This was such a cool experience. You can tell the amount of work and detail they've put into the cave and preserving it. Truly different than other caves I've been to. There are two different parts of the cave you can choose from. If you can't do both my preference was the big room tour. I felt there was more to it, more things to see. Also, (sorry parents) perhaps the age limit made it more enjoyable too. Our tour guide Charles was INCREDIBLE. We did both tours back to back 0945 big room tour and 12 rotunda. Timing was perfect. Enough time to use the restroom and eat a snack. We brought our snacks, their cafe was closed. It would be an enjoyable experience to eat a packed lunch outside not sure if it's 100% allowed. Beginning of April was a GORGEOUS day. There's a McDonald about 12 min away. The big room tour is a man made/marked out, well paved easy walk/route. If you're worried about endurance or handiaccesible, it seems very accessible. The rotunda seemed a bit more incline but still well paved. You can wear white shoes and you wouldn't get dirty lol. I don't recommend open toes shoes/sandals because the Floor is very moist/wet. BOOK AHEAD. At least 2 weeks ahead to get the slots you want. If you're by yourself then a lot easier. It sells out quickly Restrooms were very clean and plentiful. As you wait for your tour guide before taking the tram to the cave there are another set of restrooms so that's appreciated. They want you to get there 30 min before. There really wasn't anything much to do ahead, it's just a simple check in. They have a mini museum that's nice to look around. You can get some good pictures outside prior or after the tour. Are both caves a must see, my bf says yes. I'm in between. If I would go back I would choose the big room tour again but that also has limited time opening due to the bats. As an AZ local or visiting this is a very enjoyable spot

    As much as I love going underground and at this point have about 15 caves explored in AZ under my…read morebelt, I only finally made it to this one this weekend. Our caving group was having our winter conference here and it was really nice to use the visitor center's auditorium for our all day presentations. I learned about the invertebrates that live in caves, herpetology, bats and lots of other really fun topics about caves! Auditorium was very comfortable and all the IT worked great and the projector and acoustics were perfect. Seats also very comfortable. Later that day, some of us signed up for the headlamp tour of the Big Room that started at 5:30pm, which is only offered on Saturdays in the fall/winter. I was able to use my own headlamp and helmet. This tour is $50 and the price is higher than their regular tours, which is $30 for adults and all the lights in the cavern are on. The tour was good and I'm glad the proceeds of my ticket go to support this park. Phones aren't allowed into the cavern, so I took no pics. We also stayed in one of the 4 cabins on the campgrounds and it was fabulous. Cabin was super cozy and can sleep 6, one bed and two bunk beds. Cabins also come with a dining table, microwave and small fridge. Bathrooms right across from the cabin. Porch on the front and also a picnic table available. Fire pit also available. I had firewood but we could not make a fire because of rain. This was definitely glamping! And it was lovely. I would definitely do this again. Saw some fun turkeys too! A few things to note here, there is a Bat Cave Cafe on site open 11am - 2pm, however, it was difficult to get anything here as there was only one person working and a lot of us here. I brought my lunch from home. Night headlamp tour was fun but for $50, not sure how it differs from the day tours. But, do know that AZ state taxes don't go to supoort this park, so your tour ticket supports this park, so I can be OK with that. Its pretty amazing that two college students crawled their way thru a 10-12 inch sinkhole and then found this place! I am still in awe of this amazing discovery! And this is well before all the fancy equipment was available like lidar to help with uncovering new caves. And, once these guys, Tufts and Tenen found this cavern in 1974, they kept it a secret for awhile to protect against vandalism and damage. And in 1999, the cavern was open to the public. As someone who deeply loves caves, seeing this place was like one of the best sojourns for me! Im so glad I came to see this show cave! And please, let's all do our part to make sure caves are conserved so we can all enjoy them for a long time to come.

    Cibecue Creek Trail

    Cibecue Creek Trail

    (15 reviews)

    There are 2 extremes to this hike. You can choose to explore the lower canyon to a beautiful…read morewaterfall at the end surrounded by cliffs and call it a day for a total of 3 miles out and back OR you can hire a guide and canyoneer the upper canyon and spend around 5-7 hours while rappelling, climbing, and wading through endless pools and more waterfalls for a total of over 5 miles. On this adventure, my hiking group decided to take the easy route and enjoy the lower canyon. It kind of reminded me of West Fork hike in Sedona, because you cross the creek bed repeatedly, and you cannot help but stop and stare in awe of how beautiful the surroundings are. The hike is peaceful and you feel kid-like once more since you are forced to climb over small boulders, get knee deep or sometimes even waist deep in water, and brush past tree branches of various foliage. The life is teeming with so many different plant species present and with the Salt River connecting nearby, you just know the place is great for fishing as well. Permits are $15 per person for day hikes. Cibecue is on sacred land so remember to enjoy the hike in all its glory but be respectful and pack out everything you bring in.

    One of my favorite hikes in AZ! How can you beat stunning canyon views, creek crossings, and a…read morebeautiful waterfall at the end!? Not to mention it's in the middle of nowhere away from all civilization--a great day trip getaway to relieve yourself after a stressful workweek! A few things to note before trekking out here: -You're going to want to be driving a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle as the road from the 60 turnoff is nothing but dirt and rocks. I've seen a Prius do it but it looked painful and damaging lol. -Permits are now $30 per person and you pay with cash into a box so come prepared. I'm not a huge fan of the price hike *no pun intended* but I can see why the reservation did it reduces the crowd. -Bring sturdy water shoes or prepare to get your hiking shoes wet/muddy. I have some pretty flimsy Walmart water shoes so I opted for the latter. There are multiple creek crossings and it's not like Seven Falls or Oak Creek--there are not enough stones to hop across and you will need to walk in the water.By the end of the day, my hiking shoes were completely soaked with muddy water. They will need some deep cleaning. -Piggy-backing off the point above, if you go following a monsoon storm, expect the creek and falls to be saturated with thick mud. Grand Falls style. -PLEASE pack in what you pack out. Do not litter or leave anything behind in this beautiful place.

    Quartz Peak - View of the peak

    Quartz Peak

    (5 reviews)

    A difficult hike with amazing views! I loved this hike. It's a long way back to the trailhead from…read morethe road and there are places where having 4x4 or higher clearance would be nice, but I saw a Prius at the trailhead. There are workarounds. It's a long and steady climb, definitely one of the more challenging hikes in the west valley. The last little bit there's some scrambling to get to the peak. The views are amazing and the giant slabs of quartz are beautiful.

    For years, I had stared out at the Sierra Estrella mountains wondering if I'd ever get the chance…read moreto hike to the top of Quartz Peak. I'm a Civic owner, so as soon as I heard about the sand roads and necessity of a high clearance/4x4 vehicle, I thought the day would never come (there's no way I'm buying a gas guzzling Jeep with a 30-mi each way work commute lol). That is, until I met some other awesome hikers from the Valley and coordinated an epic carpool! We met up in downtown Phoenix and headed out in the Jeeps to Goodyear. After getting off the 10 and heading down Estrella/Rainbow Ranch roads for what seemed like a good while, along came the sand/dirt roads. And man did they live up to their reputation! Some super fun off-roading action ensued, and let's just say I was so glad I wasn't in my own little car. One of the hiking buddies advised that he once tried to get to the trailhead in his Dodge Caravan but got stuck in the sand and wrecked the transmission. Yikes! Once we got to the trailhead (obviously an adventure in and of itself), it was a steady 5-6 mile uphill climb to the summit. There are definitely some false Peaks to conquer along the way that are grueling physically and mentally; however, once you get to the last half mile or so, it's a fairly short scramble and totally doable. Once you get to the top, you are greeted by a fantastic view of West Valley, South Mountain, Four Peaks, the Supes, East Valley, and the vast desert to the southwest. The way down is easier on the cardio but harder on the knees due to loose rocks so watch your step and don't rush it. Your legs will probably be sore for the next day or two but it'll be accompanied by the feeling of accomplishment! I also recommend going with a group as I did. Strength and support in numbers people! Plus, you may meet someone new and make friends along the way! I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to hike Quartz Peak again, but now every time I look out to the west at it, the memories will never fade!

    Poston Butte

    Poston Butte

    (4 reviews)

    "Tombs echo stories of the past, where silence speaks and memories rest in stone."…read more Poston Butte, once called Primrose Hill or Mountain F, stands out as a unique landmark near the historic downtown of Florence, Arizona. This natural formation has a rich past, notably marked by the pyramid tomb of Charles Debille Butte, renamed in honor of the man regarded as the "Father of Arizona." What makes Poston Butte stand apart is its solitary topography--it's the sole high point for miles along the drive on West Hunt Road. The climb to the summit and back is 1.2 miles, offering a moderately testing hike that suits various skill levels. Our hike was a spur-of-the-moment decision. As I am not a seasoned hiker, I found the trail to be moderately challenging, providing a satisfying mix of effort and enjoyment. We came across a few people hiking down. Upon reaching the top, you will have seamless panoramic 360-degree views of the valley making the trek worthwhile. The location is highly accessible. You can park at the dirt road on the shoulder of Hunt Highway. If you seek a rewarding experience paired with a touch of history, Poston Butte is certainly worth exploring.

    Came to Florence for a wedding and this is the o ly hike close enough for some quick exploring…read more This hike is straight uphill. If you're not used to a high incline, you'll have to stop and catch your breath. The hike itself is pretty easy and short. Once you get to the top, you have great views. We went during the middle of the day and but I bet it would be super cool to watch the sunrise or sunset form here. I'd recommend if you were looking for a quick hike to get the blood pumping.

    Picacho Peak State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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