advertisement
27 June 2022
Phoenix has been a boomtown for a long time now. Areas that were once miles from the city have been swallowed up by urban sprawl, and South Mountain Park is one of them.
If you’re familiar with Phoenix at all, you’ve probably driven past it without even realizing it. The park covers 16,283 acres and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and an All-American Road for its scenic drive. If you’re thinking of coming to Phoenix for a visit, here’s what you need to know to enjoy the park fully.
advertisement
The park was established in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge to preserve the mountain range and desert habitat for its scenic beauty, wildlife diversity, watershed, and natural air quality. With its wide land area, it ranked 12th among the largest urban parks in the world. And that draws more than 2 million tourists each year who enjoy its natural beauty year-round.
If you’ve never been to South Mountain Park, you might be surprised at how much there is to do and see. The park has around 50 miles of trails for hiking or mountain biking. There are also rock climbing, picnicking, bird watching, and stargazing opportunities.
If you’re a traveler who opts for adventures over tourist traps, you’ll likely enjoy spending a day or two exploring this park. To give you an insight into what you’ll discover when you go there, here’s a list of the best things to do:
Enjoy a 360- degree view of Phoenix from the top of South Mountain via the Summit Trail. During your hike, you’ll be treated to some fantastic views as well as a chance to learn about the preservation and history of this area first-hand. Stay on the trail to not disturb anything, and bring lots of water because it’s pretty hot up there!
If you’ve come to Phoenix to visit the Desert, then you’ll want to ride your mountain bike through South Mountain Park. The trails here are some of the best you’ll find in Phoenix, and it’s a great way to experience the scenery at a faster pace. Just be sure that you know what you’re doing because the trails aren’t for beginners.
advertisement
If there’s one thing you’ll love as much as mountain biking, it’s exploring new places on horseback. South Mountain Park has stables where you can head out with a guide and explore the trails by horseback for about $40 per person. If you’ve never been on a horse before, don’t worry because they have horseback riding lessons too!
With over 15 trails of varying difficulty, every hiker can have a great time exploring. If you’re hiking with small children, the 0.8-mile Discovery Trail is perfect for them. Or, if you’re up for something tougher, then try one of the more extensive trails like Contour Road or Pima Canyon Loop.
Of course, after a long day of riding your mountain bike or exploring by horseback, you’ll probably be pretty exhausted. It’s important to realize that South Mountain Park isn’t just for adventure seekers. It’s also home to some incredible views and natural desert beauty that will take your breath away. As such, it makes an excellent place to just sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
If you’re opting for the best way to enjoy and explore the outdoors in Phoenix without having to travel too far, then visiting South Mountain Park is one of the best options. With many miles of trails to explore, activities for every member of your family, and spectacular views, it’s an experience that will be sure to leave you with plenty of great memories.
advertisement
Arizona is already home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country, and now one of its lesser-known natural wonders is getting national recognition. On October 20, 2026, Chiricahua National Monument was officially elevated to national park status. The designation makes Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park and the 64th national park in the United States. Located in southeastern Arizona’s Cochise County, near the town of Willcox, Chiricahua National Park is famous for its towering rock columns, gravity-defying balanced boulders, and extraordinary volcanic landscape. Although the area has been federally protected for more than a century, its new designation
Imagine a bird with a wingspan stretching nearly ten feet, soaring effortlessly above the Grand Canyon. It’s one of North America’s largest flying birds, capable of traveling enormous distances on rising currents of warm air. And just a few decades ago, the species nearly disappeared forever. The California condor is one of America’s most remarkable conservation success stories, and despite its name, Arizona has played a major role in bringing this magnificent bird back from the brink of extinction. Through captive breeding, carefully managed releases, wildlife monitoring, and cooperation between conservation organizations, Arizona helped establish a second wild population of
Imagine taking your children to a neighborhood playground on a sunny Arizona afternoon when you notice something moving through the grass nearby. At first, you might think it’s someone’s dog. But as it gets closer, you realize you’re looking at a coyote. Should you be alarmed? Why is a wild animal wandering around a playground in broad daylight? Isn’t it supposed to be hiding somewhere in the desert? Believe it or not, spotting a coyote in an unexpected place is not particularly unusual, especially in Arizona. Coyotes are among North America’s most adaptable wild animals, and they’ve become remarkably successful
Finding a rattlesnake in your yard can be alarming, especially if you have children or pets. But before you reach for a shovel or try to chase the snake away, remember one important thing: the safest rattlesnake encounter is usually the one where you keep your distance. Rattlesnakes are a natural part of life in Arizona, particularly in neighborhoods near washes, mountains, desert preserves, and undeveloped land. While their venom makes them potentially dangerous, rattlesnakes generally aren’t looking for a confrontation with people. Most would much rather escape than fight. If one turns up in your yard, knowing what to
