What a breathtaking view that you can pull off on your way to Canyon Lake. Beautiful views of not…read morejust Canyon Lake, but also the Superstition Mountains and surrounding desert. The info boards have some great information about the Apache Trail and the Apache people. Easily one of my favorite scenic view spots in the country; though be mindful there is no restroom here. If you are visiting the east valley in Arizona, this is a must see in my opinion!

Indescribable. I…read morewish I could find the words. This entire area is a must do. The scenic vistas are so beautiful, it's almost surreal. I am speechless.

Hiked this trail today and had an absolute blast! It's pretty excruciating but well worth it for…read morethe amazing views and historic Native American ruins. This trail first takes you up high to Frog Peak before descending into La Barge Canyon. Upon reaching the creek, you travel west, crossing over a small ridge/saddle into Boulder Canyon. You will see the remains of what was a Native American painting mine, where the found the red rock to produce their art--pretty neat! Fairly soon after this find, you will reach Boulder Creek and hug it for another mile or so. Watch for the cairns as this part of the trail is not as clear-cut as the earlier sections. I stopped for a quick snack before heading back. If you have all day, it may be worth continuing on to Battleship Mountain. The uphill going back is tough, so be warned: bring snacks and plenty of water to keep that energy up!

This park is nice and clean. Lots of different areas. The water is beautiful. The playground isn't…read moretoo small or too big. There is plenty of shaded seating. You do have to park in different areas to access different parts of the park.

Beautiful park and easy access from the Metro stop. I love that there's fishing options out in the…read moremiddle of the desert! If youd like to do a tour of the school or go into the Visitor Center, you will need to call and email ahead and there are several blackout dates around big events happening in the park.

Great little trail hot as all can be early in the am. Signs of animal life nothing really troubling…read moreto write about. Tons of cacti. So when MTN biking be mindful of the hikers because one wrong move might throw you into a whole bunch of cacti real fast. Bring water almost all trails will state the water index you need if you aren't accustomed to the heat bring double. This area has no potable water (no drinking) has restrooms at trial head and a ton of parking

What a fabulous hike!! And can go all the way up to the top of the mountain with the Ridgeback…read moreOverlook/ Apache Wash Loop. The scenery is so amazing!!! Not super hard but long and very rocky. The views at the top make it more than worth it!!!

A great and cooler day for an exuberant hike up Black Mountain. The route is uphill and will get…read moreyour heart pumping within minutes. Wear appropriate shoes, take plenty of water, use sunscreen and use your shades or cap. This is not a beginner's walk. Smooth terrain initially and then it will become dirt and rocks. Watch your footing, stay on the trail and be alert. Rattlesnakes are still out so watch your step. Parking below.

How do you rate a hike like this?! 5 stars with alot of asterisks!…read more My fiancé is the experienced hiker. Lover of trail runs, marathons, and completing the types of challenging hikes they make documentaries about, this hike albeit steep was a breeze. He ran a few miles to the trailhead, hiked the mountain, then ran back to the hotel three times during our stay. I, on the other hand am not a fan of early mornings or strenuous hikes but I do love a good challenge. In lieu of beating my time up Toms Thumb, I tackled Black Mountain solo, and let me tell you, if my 4'11", geriatric knee having, asthmatic, former athlete self can complete this hike, you can too! Yes, it's pretty dang steep. I wish someone would have warned me that instead of riding switchbacks, you are climbing straight up, gaining elevation very quickly, but it does make for a fun change of pace. Personally, it took me an hour up, and an hour down (so two hours total), and my partner made it up in 30 minutes, and down in around the same (so an hour total). Here are a few tips no matter your skill level: *bring water, a snack or two, sunscreen, sunshades, and considering how steep this bad boy is, wear hiking shoes with good grips. I hiked in October 2024, so I'm not sure if you'd need to modify for other times of the year. *know that although there are a good amount of shops if you make it to the Spanish Village, there aren't a ton of walkable roads in the surrounding town of carefree. In fact, there are a few residents that live on this mountain, and may encounter cars on your way up to the trailhead marker. *all trails is an amazing app to have handy for this and other solo hikes if you're going alone or would like to track your time/ensure you stay on the trail (it buzzed a few times to alert me that I was no longer on the trail...whoops) *the view is nice...even if you don't make it to the top, you're in for a visual treat!

Since shortly after birth, my dad has been taking me to Canyon Lake throughout the years I've lived…read morein Apache Junction. Today, we had the pleasure of taking my boyfriend who is from Florida. He said it's one of the better lakes he has been on, so I think we have won him over as both my dad and I think this is the most stunning lake we've ever had the pleasure of cruising down. It's not just canyon views and desert scenery, but there is wildlife that can be spotted! Anything from various fish, blue heron, crayfish, vultures, big horn sheep, even bald eagles! This visit, we were able to see a variety of nature's finest and even enjoyed a small picnic at Beer Can Point, which is about 3 miles up the lake. Lovely for a more quiet bite, and there's fun rocks near the shore to take a cool walk through the water to cool off. Stunning views and lake vibes to be found at Canyon Lake! Be sure to check it out if you are visiting the Apache Junction area. Not far from Tortilla Flat if you want an old west lunch and stroll.

It was much cooler and somewhat humid after the rains. Most of the puddles were dried up despite a…read moregood rain. My hiking boots, water, shades and hat were ready to go as I met two others for a nice walk. The air was much cleaner and smelled wonderful. It was still cloudy which made for a good time out. Park in their lot.

Lovely park with loads of info about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran desert. It's in Cave Creek.read more

Want a serene picnic spot? Look no further! This recreation site and campground is about 3 miles up…read morethe lake, so you will need a boat, jet ski, or even a paddleboard if you want lots of exercise. Once you arrive, you will find a dock to tie up your mode of transportation. Additionally, you will find a couple picnic tables with grills with trails to walk around. Even a shore with some rocks you can walk to climb on, which I always enjoyed as a kiddo. Definitely one of my favorite places in Canyon Lake as it's very quiet, and often times we had the whole shore to ourselves. If you are cruising around Canyon Lake, be sure to check out Beer Can Point!