Massacre falls is awesome to visit when the waterfall is going strong. With all the recent rain…read moreit's pretty great right now. I've done this trail a few years ago. The water fall was much more impressive this time. I will say that this time it felt way harder than I remember. Overall I think we hiked about 7 miles out to the falls & back to the parking area. There is a gradual increase in elevation as you hike up to the waterfall. I don't remember all that, I thought the trail was more flat. The views are gorgeous, especially at sunset. This hiking area is next to the Lost Dutchman State Park which charges for admission. Same overall area but no fee to hike up to Massacre falls. Highly recommend it!

Amazing hike not to bad early in the morning took our husky she loved it and our new puppy his…read morefirst hike ever and wasn't hard for him at all!

Okay, honestly the landscapes are indeed blurring together a bit, but this was such a nice place!…read moreSo much fun navigating through the terrain here. There's a system of trails, and landscape is also not all flat but replete with valleys and smaller peaks. Lots of cacti of course, and other shrubs and plants too. Awesome desert nature, and would recommend for a hike!

First time checking out Hawes Trail System today! Located conveniently within the city, making it…read moreeasy to visit, even on a weekday with an early start! There is a parking lot, right across the street from the trailhead! Though down the road not too far, quick ride if you're on a bike, it seems people may park near the Walgreens - Though Walgreens does enforce a 60 min time, probably for this reason, but there is a mobile bike station at the lot next to it, which is an awesome touch, and I am sure utilized on busy weekends. The lot had ample space this morning though, so definitely check that out first! The trail has a lot of different route options, so make sure to take a picture of the map or download Alltrails or some other app to keep on track. Though there on markers on the corners, it could be easy to get on the wrong path. As some other reviews said, it is not the most beautiful hike, but does have some scenic parts. There were a lot of hikers on the route today and a lot of mountain bikers. Lots of up and downs and rocky trails. The map is marked and routes are rated accordingly, so worth checking out as you plan your route!

If the parking lot is crowded just drive over to N 8th Ave and park outside of Shadow Rock United…read moreChurch of Christ where there is plenty of free parking. It's a pretty easy two mile hike up to the top where the cell towers are located and you can take in the views. This is a popular hiking location so you won't be alone.

A wonderful morning hike spot with gorgeous views of the valley. Shaw Butte is a 4.0 mile loop with…read more654 feet elevation change. My favorite way to start a day is with a sunrise hike here. Other hikers are typically very friendly. Tips: - check online for trail hours. The parking lot at the trailhead is only open during these times. - dogs are allowed if leashed - visit around Christmas time too catch a little decorated tree on the trail! Such a charming tradition

This is a nice hike to take if you want great views of the Valley. I highly recommend doing this…read morehike in the early evening so you can see the lights around the Valley come on. Just make sure you bring a flightlight or headlamp. The trailhead is located in the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction. I consider it easy to moderate as there are lots of rocks to walk over at the beginning of the trail and an elevation climb as you get near the cave. The total distance is 4 miles RT. The Broadway trailhead is tucked into a neighborhood and has a very small parking lot. Keep this in mind if you are hiking with a group of people. At the beginning of the trailhead, you will embark on your adventure using Jacob's Crosscut Trail. At the half mile point, you'll see the first intersection where you'll want to stay left along Jacob Crosscut Trail. At the second intersection, head right towards Broadway Cave (don't take the Jacob's Crosscut path at this point). The trail will get very narrow at this point as you ascend to the cave. The view of the Valley is amazing in the evening. My group hung out for a few hours as we ate snacks and took photos inside the cave. I hear there are bats in the cave, but we didn't see any. Once again, remember to bring a headlamp if hiking at night and sunscreen during the day. Enjoy this hidden gem of a hike!

Trail has good views as you ascend. The path is very rocky…read moreso footing can be unstable at times. There were not any "flat" areas on the trail. I recommend hiking poles. The total trip is 4.2 miles out and back. It's a slow incline but gets steeper in the last half mile. The trail can be considered moderate difficulty due to terrain and path being narrow with lots pokey vegetation along the way. The last half of the trek is shaded in the early morning as the sun moves to the west you will be totally exposed. The bugs were out in full force in early May. I wish I had bug spray.

Nice trail to walk especially with doggos! They love seeing all the bunnies and ducks on the trail…read moreas we walk and are always ready for naps by the end of it. Such nice scenery and very well lit at night as well on one segment of the trail which is about .50 long and enough to get their energy out at night while still feeling safe

The Paseo Trail travels through Chandler along the Consolidated Canal. It runs mostly N-S,…read moreconnecting to other trails along the canal in Mesa and Gilbert, totaling around 18 miles. The trail is mostly paved on the east side of the canal and pea gravel hard pack on the west side. It runs along subdivisions, golf courses and even a couple farms. The grade is very gentle throughout. I would consider the trail primarily for use by joggers, bicyclists and equestrians. There is parking at the address listed for the trail and nearby parking at Tumbleweed Recreation Center at McQueen and Germann. There is also easy to find street parking near many of the junctions with major streets. A good southern starting point is off of Riggs Rd. between Arizona and McQueen. There is plenty of street parking. From here the ride north is mostly a slight uphill ride, making the return trip a nice relaxing roll. One issue with the trail is crossings with major streets. Most are not marked for motorists as trail crossings and there is no crosswalk so you may be faced with a relatively long wait to get a break in traffic or forcing the issue and forging ahead with care.

Excellent trail on this chilly morning and I'm very proud of how all the kiddos did. The telegraph…read morepass trail has some incline to it, we went to the old rock "house" structure at the top. Great views. The parking lot here is big and there's a restroom and water fountain. We got started at 8am and it wasn't super busy yet. As day went on more people seemed to be on the trail. It's dog friendly which is great since my boy Flynn loves to hike. Great hike with my peoples.

This review is for Telegraph Pass Trail. It is an easy to moderate 2.3-mile out-and-back trail in…read morethe Ahwatukee foothills area near the AZ-202. The facilities at the start of the trailhead are pretty nice and clean. I love doing this hike in the evening because you get gorgeous views of the Valley at night. Once you get to the top next to Summit Rd (the road is paved), there is bench that you can rest on. There you can get some great panoramic pictures of the Valley with Sky Harbor airport and Camelback Mountain in the background. Once at the top, you have the option of heading back or accessing one of a few trails that connect to it. There is a little stone house to the west and the transmitter towers that blink red at night on South Mountain to the east. We once brought up s'mores to the stone house at night and had some campfire fun over a mini propane stove. If you continue on with the Kiwanis trail from here, you can see some Hohokam rock art. Telegraph Pass is one of my favorite Valley trails and makes for a fun quick hike.

I am a frequent visitor to Phoenix and the Phoenix area. Until recently I thought that I knew all…read morethe places to go, but after my last visit I learned that I have a lot to experience still. This realization came about when I realize that I have never been to South Mountain park before! This is the largest municipally managed parked not only in Phoenix area, but in the United States. This park covers over 16,000 acre of desert land. The park covers three mountain ranges that you can learn about in a beautiful visitor center. This park also features more than 50 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback rider. And if you are not a hiker, then you can experience the beauty of the park through a scenic 5.5 mile drive up Summit Road which leads to a peak where you can see Phoenix and beyond. Make sure you plan ahead for your hikes. There are so many trails to explore at different difficulties and start points. Also, the trails are not shaded so start early or pick a cool day. Bring plenty of water too and perhaps a hiking stick. If you need more information, stop in at the visitor center. The visitor center is pretty impressive. The center is very informative on the mountains, the local people, and wildlife. Plus, the gentlemen working the center was super friendly in sharing a wealth of information. He showed me a snake outside the center. Yes, there are snakes in this park- so make sure you look out for them! This amazing park is free! The park entrance is open from 5am to 7pm. Trail hours are 5am-11pm. The visitor center is open Thursday through Sunday 9am-3pm. Note on the fourth Sunday of each month, the park host silent Sunday's where cars are not allowed within the park grounds- check out the park's website for parking on those days. Great experience- I will be back!

We took the whole extended family up through South Mountain Park, and it turned into one of those…read moredays that sticks with you a little longer than expected. We drove up to Dobbins Lookout, and that's where it really hits. Phoenix spreads out in every direction, a grid of life pressed up against open desert, with mountains rising in the distance like they've been quietly watching the whole thing unfold. It's not subtle. It's big, raw, and a little humbling. What makes this place stand out is how much it offers without trying to package itself too neatly. You can hike, bike, ride horseback, or just stay in the car and take the scenic drive. It works for everyone. We had a mix of people, some ready to tackle trails, others perfectly happy just soaking in the views, and nobody felt out of place. The trail system is extensive. You've got everything from easy, walkable paths to longer, more demanding routes like the National Trail, which stretches over 15 miles and cuts through a huge portion of the park. It's the kind of place where you can come back multiple times and still find something new. We did some light hiking, nothing too aggressive, but even then you feel the terrain. It's not forgiving, and that's part of the appeal. The desert has a way of reminding you to pay attention. Loose rock, uneven footing, the occasional reminder that you're sharing the trail with horses. It keeps you honest. Timing matters out here. Go early. Not just to beat the heat, which you absolutely should, but because the light in the morning does something different. It softens the landscape, pulls out color and texture that gets washed out later in the day. By midday, the sun is in full control and it's a different experience entirely. A few practical notes. Bring more water than you think you need. Then add a little more. Wear actual boots, not something you don't mind slipping around in. And keep an eye on the trail, especially on the multi-use sections. You'll know why pretty quickly. What I appreciated most is how accessible it is. You're minutes from the city, and suddenly you're in this wide, open space that feels removed from everything. No overdevelopment, no forced attractions. Just desert, sky, and distance. It's not polished, and it's not trying to be. That's exactly why it works. Five stars without hesitation.

This riparian area is an outstanding terrestrial bird watching biome. Mallards, Great Blue Heron,…read moreRing-necked Duck but just a few of the177 species known to visit. Spectacular views of the Lower Salt River tributary and Red Mountain. In the distance Piestewa Peak to the West and Four Peaks to the East. Fish Species are Rainbow Trout. Largemouth, Smallmouth and Yellow Bass. Crappie. Sunfish. Channel and Flathead Catfish. Walleye. Tilapia. The Salt River is fed by numerous perennial streams that start as springs and seep along the Mogollon Rim and in the White Mountains. Water quality is much poorer this far down stream. Some of this 50 degree water makes it to Tempe Town Lake. Much of the area is covered by cacti, in particular the familiar giant saguaro, but there are also dozens of smaller species like the Hedge Hog or Cholla. These cactus colonies merge with bushes all around. Plenty of tall trees next to the water provide a green treetop canopy over the site. Hiking today was exceptionally beautiful with plenty to photograph.

This is the first place I went paddle boarding and it's still one of my favorites. First of all,…read morethere's areas to have a nice picnic or grill out which is nice for groups or a nice date spot. There are also sightings of the wild horses and cows which is such a treat to see. I enjoy starting at the lower area of the river and paddling up the river a ways. Today was very sticker because of the wind (13 mph with gusts of 20mph). It was still a great workout and experience. There were also some nice enclaves to dock and chill while enjoying nature for a while too. Note: Sometimes there are also groups who play their music really loud (where the others can't enjoy nature) but thankfully today there were only a couple of people doing that.