South Mountain Park
And Preserve

An Official Phoenix Point of Pride

South Mountain Park Phoenix


Just over 20 miles from downtown Phoenix, South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the country, and the largest desert mountain preserve in the world. It's 3 mountains, Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe, stretch diagonally from northeast to southwest across more than 16,000 acres.

With over 51 miles of primary trails, the Park is perfect for getting in touch with nature through hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and horseback riding. There are numerous hiking trails, including one that's wheelchair accessible. And Holbert Trail passes right by Mystery Castle, a very interesting and historic Phoenix attraction.

Take a scenic drive on Summit Road and enjoy spectacular views from one of its many lookouts, all made of local granite to blend in with South Mountain's natural peaks. Have a leisurely picnic at one of the Park's shaded ramadas. And learn about the Sonoran Desert at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center.

Come and see why more than 3 million people from all over the world visit South Mountain Park annually. Bring plenty of water, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. You might also want to bring snacks, your leashed dog, and some binoculars if you plan on bird watching.

South Mountain Park Phoenix Flowers


General Information

Entrance to South Mountain Park is free.

Hours

South Mountain Park opens at 5:00 a.m.

  • All gated roadways, trailhead parking areas, restrooms and ramadas close at 7:00 p.m.
  • Trails close at 11:00 p.m.

Parking

There are various parking areas throughout the Park. Stop by the main gate or the South Mountain Environmental Education Center for a map.

Events

The Park occasionally hosts events, including bike races and festivals - check their website for information.

Warning

If you see a rattlesnake, remain calm and give it time to slither away. Also, look carefully before you sit down or put your hands on rocks - a snake, tarantula, scorpion, or other desert inhabitant may be resting there. And it's best to observe the woodsman's maxim, "Never step on anything you can step over. Never step over anything you can step around."


Observing Nature

South Mountain Park Nature Composite

South Mountain Park is home to more than 300 plant species, including several cactus varieties and more than 150 animal species. It's the perfect place for bird and animal watching.

Be sure to observe ordinances regarding protected areas, or you may be assessed fines and other penalties. You can get information about ordinances at the Park's website, main gate, or the Educational Center.

There are thousands of Native American petroglyphs on boulders and cliff-sides throughout the Park. Most were made by the Hohokum between 800-1200 years ago. However, some are more than 2,000 years old.

South Mountain Park Petroglyphs


Birds

A good place for bird watching is the Pima Canyon area, particularly in the early morning. And note that Palo Verde trees are nesting spots for a variety of birds.

The most common bird in the Park is the pale gray Rock wren. You might see Gila Woodpeckers, hummingbirds, gilded flickers, black-tailed gnatcatcher, Gambel's quail, curve-billed thrashers, roadrunners, Bendire’s thrashers, Harris hawks, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, canyon wrens, rufous-crowned sparrows, and canyon towhees. In the early spring, you might also spot a Scott’s oriole.

Reptiles

Many reptiles like the Pima Canyon area. You might see a desert tortoise, snake, or lizard. Snakes in the Park include the gophersnake, coachwhip, western patch-nose, and speckled, black-tailed and western diamond-backed rattlesnakes. Some of the lizards in the Park are Gila monsters, tiger whiptails, common side-blotched lizards, and zebra-tailed lizards. And keep an eye on the boulder-strewn hillsides, as they are the best places to find the unusual orange-tailed chuckwalla.

Animals

Many animal species live in the Park. The washes are particularly good places to see a ringtail cat, jackrabbit, coyote, gray fox, javelina, white-throated woodrat, pocket mouse, or ground squirrel. You might also see a bobcat, kangaroo rat, or mule deer.

Plant Life

Desert plant life is abundant throughout South Mountain Park. You'll find several cacti species, such as ocotillos, barrels, pincushions, hedgehogs, cholla, prickly pears, and the majestic many-armed saguaro, found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert.

You can spot hundreds of different desert plants and flowers, such as creosote bushes, green-barked palo verde trees, yellow-flowered brittlebushes, Mexican gold poppies, orange-flowered globe mallows, and purple lupines. And after plentiful winter rains, South Mountain comes alive with thousands of colorful wildflowers. You'll usually find the most blooms on cooler, moister north-facing slopes.

You may come across the very rare and unusual elephant tree, found only in southwestern Arizona, extreme southern California, and northwestern Mexico. Elephant Trees are so rare that their existence wasn't even confirmed until 1937, and they're listed among Highly Safeguarded Protected Native Plants. Try Hidden Valley for a glimpse.

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Elephant Tree

Hiking and Climbing

South Mountain Park boasts 51 miles of primary trails ranging from very easy to extremely difficult, including one that's wheelchair accessible. The scenery and views are beautiful, and the terrain is rugged. The highest accessible point in the park is Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet. (Mount Suppoa is 2,690 feet, but it's not open to the public).

South Mountain Park Accessible Trail

The Parks Department recommends that you:

  • Use maps, available at the main gate and at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center. You can also find maps online. Check your maps while you hike so you won’t get lost.
  • Wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction and ankle support.

Go to the Park's website for information about:

  • Safety (this is undeveloped land, and you can encounter rocky terrain, rattlesnakes, and other potential hazards).
  • Occasional temporary detours for maintenance and various improvement projects, and about current conditions in the Park.
  • Trail locations, guidelines, and etiquette.
  • Hikes for families and kids, free of steep climbs and tricky footing.

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South Mountain Park Trail Info


Mountain and Road Biking

Mountain bikes are allowed on all the Park's trails, and the most popular is the Desert Classic Trail. The Park also has over 15 miles of roads on which you can ride your bike.

South Mountain Park Winding Road


Horseback Riding

Horses are allowed throughout the Park, and you can rent one at South Mountain Park Ponderosa Stables. Located in the foothills, Ponderosa Stables is the only guided horse rental concessionaire in the Park. In addition to hourly trail rides, they offer special breakfast, lunch, dinner and sunset rides.

Address: 10215 S. Central Avenue
Phone: (602) 268-1261
Email: sales@arizona-horses.com


Picnicking

Bring your own food, beverages, and picnic supplies (beer requires a permit), and enjoy a picnic in the Park at one of several covered ramadas. Some can be reserved for a fee, others are first come first serve. See the Park's website at http://phoenix.gov/parks/reservnon.html for details, including a ramada map.

South Mountain Park Ramada


South Mountain Environmental Education Center

The 10,907-square-foot South Mountain Environmental Education Center provides considerable information about the Sonoran Desert and South Mountain Park and its trails. Here, you can pick up trail maps and get hiking suggestions. The Center has detailed information about the area's history, including facts about the Hohokam Indians and gold-miners. It also features a reading room, ranger-led programs and events, and other educational resources.

South Mountain Park Cact


Permits and Park Rules

For your own safety and to protect the Mountain Preserve, a few of the Park's rules are:

  • Stick to trails.
  • Beer requires a permit.
  • Keep wildlife wild by enjoying the desert's creatures from a distance - never approach, follow, or feed them.
  • Don't step on flowers or small trees.
  • Keep your pets on leashes.
  • Pick up your trash and your pets' waste.
  • Leave plants, rocks, and historical items as you find them.
  • Be careful with fire, and observe fire bans.
  • Be considerate of others when passing them on trails.
  • Keep noise to a minimum to avoid scaring-off wildlife and disturbing others.

See the Park's website for details.


Maps

Maps are available at the Park's main gate, the South Mountain Environmental Education Center, and online.

South Mountain Park Map

Map Courtesy of Arizonesis


Location and Contact Information

  • Main entrance: 10919 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85042
  • Ranger Office Phone: (602) 262-7393
  • Parks Department Main Office (602) 262-6862
  • Crimestop (602) 262-6151
  • Website
  • South Mountain Environmental Education Center is located at 10409 S. Central Avenue, phone: (602) 262-6412

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