My son and I were in town for the Arizona Cup and after he shot we needed somewhere to explore…read more This was close and wasn't supposed to be to hard and only 3.3 miles. Not sure where they started there measurements from but my Garmin watch clocked over 10 miles. The trail is not well marked but we did make going to the right and up and around. The suggestions were to go left but the lack of trail markers and a well defined trail we opted for the clearer path. Great hike. I am over 50 and over weight and made it fine. Bring water and snacks and enjoy a great hike.

Nice designated trails but Super rocky terrain! I didn't have the proper hiking shoes and coming…read moredown was quite the challenge. I would recommend hiking sticks as well.

A desert jewel of a hike…read more Enjoy the cooler 70s and 80s while they are lasting. We recently hiked one of our favorite spots, Jewel of the Creek at Spur Cross Ranch. I haven't ventured to the longer trails on the northern side but I may have to check out it now that my kids are older. The Dragonfly Trail is a loop just under 2 miles and is truly scenic. It's a spot I recommend to tourists who want to be amongst the Saguaros. There's plenty of shaded areas, fairly easy footing, not much elevation change, plenty of wildlife, and water! We've been coming up here since toddler stage when the kids used to just splash in the stream. The dogs have loved the hike and swimming at the end of the trail as well. It's makes for a beautifully perfect Cave Creek day

I went here on Labor Day and Ashley was looking at hiking around the conservation area. However, it…read morewas closed for Labor Day. I ended up doing some trails on this after seeing a few cars parked in the parking lot. It did not disappoint. I did like the trail however it was too hot and humid. Definitely will be going back in the fall when it's cooler.

Wow one of the best places ever…read more Seriously, get great trails great rocks, cool artifacts to look at, (but not touch;) !! Peridot Quartzite Agate Garnet schist Chalcedony

Not the most breathtaking views but it was a picture perfect day for a hike, and I wanted to see…read moresaguaro cacti. Some of the cacti were in the upwards of 30 feet tall. They look like stick figures with arms raised toward the sun in the fields. I took the four mile D trail "Over the Mountain Loop." It does not matter which direction if you are completing the entire trail, but I would go with the "start" direction if you only want to do part of the trail as it heads toward the side of the mountain with a better view. Multiple signs with mile count and QR code. Even though it was only 60 degrees, it was warm in the sun with a gentle breeze. Got to say hello to a horned owl nested in a cactus umbra. I would not have seen it except a fellow hiker who visits every year told me to look over the fence. Not a large parking lot and not any nearby alternatives, so be patient. A ranger was cutting off traffic from the trailer only parking, and she was recording license plates.

This volunteer maintained trailhead is very well marked, with multiple benches for enjoying the…read moreviews or the river canyon to the west or the desert to the east and south. We were a bit early for the wildflower and flowering cactus display but did see a nice carpet of yellow ground cover around the healthy looking saguaros. The total loop trail is 1.8 miles and easy to moderate. You can also connect on the southern end to the Black Canyon City trailhead and hike down to the Agua Fria River and, river level permitting, continue west up the hill for an "as long as you want" hike into the foothills. The parking area at the High Desert Trailhead is on the southern end of the municipal park which has restrooms, children's play areas and a ball field. This is a great place to take a break and stretch your legs if you are traveling north on I-17, and it is off the road just enough that tourist do not seem to stop here.

Great place to do easy hiking close to Phoenix. Not a crowded trail. Gets you close to nature and…read morefresh air.

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!

What a beautiful trail! And such a pleasant/ easy hike. The most effort you put in here is driving…read moreall the way past Cave Creek, other than that, it's such a peaceful & relaxing place. We hiked over to Camp Creek Falls and back. Couldn't have been more than 3 miles round trip. I didn't look at my watch afterwards. During the golden hour it was gorgeous. I fully recommend this place. But please, it's a super clean and well kept trail. Keep it that way. Otherwise I'll regret sharing it on yelp ;)

The kids, dogs, and I spent 3 hours hiking and playing in the AZ desert. It's been a couple of…read moreyears since we've gone. This time of the year, the water is pretty low, but there's water and a waterfall, so the kids and dogs loved it! We had the waterfall to ourselves for a good half hour. My daughter played with her mermaids, and my son enjoyed rock climbing above the falls. It was wonderful being in the fresh AZ nature... until we had to hike back uphill to the car. The top thing to know is to turn LEFT at the American flag. There are some well placed rocks pointing the way. Also, you do have to climb down and over some big rocks... You do have to climb down and over some big rocks. And then back up and over them on the way back. Be sure to save energy for the hike back because it's inclined the whole way. Don't forget sunscreen! Maybe take water shoes if the kids want to play in the water. Stop by Raven's View restaurant on the way home. Enjoy!

The drive from Cave Creek Road to Spur Cross Conservation Area is about 3 1/2 miles. The road is…read morenicely paved en route. The closer you get, the road winds and is less paved. The road becomes gravel so you must slow down. The views coming into the park area are breathtaking; full of saguaros, Mesquite trees, Palo Verde, shrubs and lots of cacti. Trails are well marked. Trails vary from easy to difficult. Take water, trail mix bars, wear appropriate shoes, a small bit of cash to enter, and have a small first aid kit with you. There are portions of the area that do not have cell service. Free parking at the entrance.

The whole area is a beautiful oasis in the desert. The Dragonfly Trail is a favorite to hike with…read morekids and dogs. It's a fairly flat 1.5 mile trek that can be done in under an hour. We love taking our time and making multiple stops along the way to play in the water or just admire the views. Now that my kids are a bit older I may have to venture more to the other side and trails

Slate Trail is a really enjoyable hike with classic Sonoran Desert scenery--towering saguaros,…read morerocky hillsides, and wide open views that make it feel peaceful without being remote. Parking was easy, and I appreciated the clean, convenient restrooms at the trailhead. That said, I do think the trail is slightly misrated. While it's listed as easy, the rocky footing and a few stretches with noticeable incline push it more into easy-moderate territory. It's absolutely doable, but hikers should be prepared for uneven terrain and some effort, especially if they're expecting a flat stroll. I brought my walking stick, and I'm glad I did. Overall, this is a beautiful, well-kept trail and a great way to experience Cave Creek Regional Park. With a more accurate difficulty rating, it would be a near-perfect hike.

This is an excellent park to camp , ride bikes and hike. First class camping as we did. Main camp…read morearea paved asphalt with picnic tables water and 50 amp. electrical hook up. Most sites level and ample size. Beautiful sunsets.

The Sunset Point Scenic Overlook is off Interstate 17. It has stunning views of the surrounding…read moredesert and a large sundial in the center. It appeared as though large groups of people visit for the photos. I have visited in the summer and winter and the views are much prettier in the summer. It is dog friendly and has waste bags and waste disposal available. There are picnic areas, vending machines and bathrooms. It is an easy in and easy out rest stop.

Its a nice rest stop and when we were there, a bunch of food trucks from a Fry Bread vendor to an…read moreIce Cream vendor were there. There's ample parking, bathrooms, and picnic area.

Arrowhead Lakes is where I grew up. It's where I call home (and have since age 9), and I couldn't…read morebe happier that my parents still live here. The neighborhood has definitely quieted down since my childhood days--a time when kids roamed the streets and claimed the ends of culdisacs in numbers on their bikes or rollerblades, both after school and on the weekends. Now however, you won't see much of that. Today the neighborhood is predominantly made up of an older crowd. In fact I don't think I've seen anyone younger than the high school age in the area for some time now, and my parents recently mentioned that they couldn't remember the last time they had a trick-or-treater. So if you're looking to start and/or raise a young family, this probably isn't the ideal neighborhood for you. If you're looking for a quieter more grown scene however, then look no further! As far as the West side of the greater metro Phoenix area goes, the Arrowhead Lakes Estates are by far the best place to call home and everyone knows it. The development offers both lake view properties as well as golf course properties with gorgeous views of the nearby mountains and of course, the lake itself. My experience living here has been on the water, and I wouldn't have it any other way! Who wants to pick up golf balls from your netted yard everyday anyway? The only a downfall to a golf course property. Almost every lake front property has a boat dock to fish off of and accompanying boats to boast which makes sunsets and sunrises all the more beautiful. At Christmas time there is even a light parade open to all who have a boat to participate in. Such a great way to kick off the holiday season! The lake winds around the development--essentially connecting all properties, and even has beautiful waterfalls aligning its path at various stops for your viewing pleasure. All in all, this is a gorgeous place to live, or in my case, get to come home to when I need a break from life.