Review: South Mountain Park and Preserve

Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? 

Wild. In a famously sprawling city, the 16,000 acres of South Mountain Park allow people to disappear into the natural world. Hiking, running, biking, and even driving, you might see roadrunners and loping coyotes. And oftentimes the trail will bend, and there rises the towers of downtown Phoenix, rising from its bowl of mountains. 

Any standout features or must-sees? 

Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs. These are rock carvings etched by ancient desert people, like the Hohokam. There are hundreds of petroglyphs scattered through the park: spirals, animals, suns, all incredible to witness and ponder. 

Was it easy to get around? 

Yes. South Mountain has 50 miles of trails. Some are better for hiking, some for biking. Some are long, some short. If you prefer to drive, you can cruise up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout. At this municipally owned park, you can build-your-own adventure. 

That sounds cool. All said and done, who/what is this best for? 

Nature-goers who want something less crowded and more immersive than Paradise Valley’s overcrowded Camelback Mountain hike.