Trade Your Snowboots for Hiking Shoes this Winter
Phoenix, Arizona has an average winter high of 69 and an average nighttime low of 47, making it the perfect winter refuge for those who crave sunshine and warm weather activities. With such pleasant temperatures, it’s no wonder both locals and visitors fill their days with hikes in Phoenix!
These mild winter temperatures mean hiking trails are plentiful in the Phoenix Valley area, which usually sees triple-digit temperatures (Fahrenheit) by May. This is a great time to take advantage of the hundreds of miles of the desert hiking trails in the Phoenix area.
When I first moved to Arizona from the cold and snowy Chicago area in mid-January, I was shocked at how many outdoor activities were still available at this time of year – sans snow boots!
Fun fact: If you are still craving winter activities, head to Flagstaff, Arizona, roughly 2.5 hours north of Phoenix, to experience one of the snowiest cities in the United States!
Flagstaff is almost 7,000’ above sea level and has an average snowfall of over 100”. Imagine waking up early, heading up to the mountain to ski, and ending your day with a sunset hike in a tank top back in the Phoenix Valley. Who says you can’t have it all?
Now do you understand why I love Arizona so much?
Read on below for 10 of my top choices for winter hikes in Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding area. With my recommendations below, you’ll have a wide selection of views and terrain to choose from so you can continue enjoying the sunshine — even in the winter.
I guarantee you’ll find at least one of these hikes in Phoenix that you love!
Arizona Hiking Essentials
Leave No Trace Principles
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when you are out and enjoying nature. By following these principles, you help ensure that the outdoors can continue to be enjoyed by all – even your great-grandkids one day! Let’s do our part to keep these beautiful places staying beautiful for many moons to come.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Research your trail, understand the terrain and current conditions, any regulations in place for the area, the weather, and ensure you have the right gear. Proper planning helps avoid emergencies and minimizes environmental impact.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stick to established trails and campsites to protect the fragile ecosystems around you. Avoid waltzing around on vegetation, as one tiny step can cause damage that takes years to grow back.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack out all trash, leftover food, and waste. Use established facilities for human waste or follow proper guidelines to bury it in a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and 200 feet from water sources.
If you are hiking with a dog, bring doggy bags for your dog’s waste and pack them out with you, or bury the waste. The poop fairy is not coming to clean the trail up after you and Fido.
Leave What You Find
Preserve the beauty and history of natural areas by leaving rocks, plants, and artifacts as you find them. Do not write on rocks, trees, or public facilities. Also – never ever disturb petroglyphs or cultural ruins that you find
Minimize Campfire Impact
Follow local fire regulations and use existing fire rings. Always ensure fires are completely out by dousing them with water. Coals should not be smoking, and the fire should be completely out before leaving.
Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from a distance; never feed them, as this disrupts their natural behaviors and diets. Store food securely to prevent wildlife from accessing it. If you see a large animal, keep at least 100 yards between you and the wildlife. If you are driving and wildlife is on the road, do not leave your car.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Keep noise levels down and use headphones. Pass faster-moving hikers and yield to uphill hikers—they have the right of way.
Respect everyone’s outdoor experience by leaving nature as peaceful as you found it. Smile and be happy—you’re outside!
The 10 Best Hikes in Phoenix – Revealed!
There are so many excellent trails close to Phoenix that I had difficulty narrowing it down to just 10 hikes. However, that’s great news for you because this area has endless hikes to explore. Below are my 10 favorite hikes in the Phoenix, Arizona, area and where you can find them.
1. Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300
Distance: 2.3 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 1,151 feet
Location: Phoenix Mountain Preserve, Phoenix, Arizona
Level of Effort: Hard
Trail Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Dogs: No
Starting off our list of best hikes in Phoenix is Piestewa Peak (sometimes referred to as Squaw Peak). This is a classic Phoenix hike that offers great views of downtown Phoenix and the surrounding Sonoran Desert.
If you’re looking for one of the best hikes in Phoenix to catch the sunrise or sunset, I’d recommend this hike. While the hike is challenging and may feel like a stairstepper, it will reward you with many different rock formations, cacti, and a great workout.
Parking is ample and free at the base of the peak. The gates close at 7 p.m. for incoming traffic, but the trails are open until 11 p.m., allowing for night hiking and stargazing.
Fun Fact: Most of this area’s rock is a metamorphic granite called schist (as someone who loves rocks, I think it’s the schist …. I’ll stop while I’m ahead)
2 & 2.5. Camelback Mountain – Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail
Distance: Echo – 2.6 miles (out and back); Cholla – 3.0 miles (out and back)
Elevation: Echo – 1,522 feet; Cholla – 1,279 feet
Location: Echo – 4925 E. McDonald Drive; Cholla – 5150 N. Invergordon Road
Level of Effort: Echo – Hard; Cholla – Hard
Trail Hours: Sunrise to Sunset (sunset strictly enforced)
Dogs: No
If you haven’t hiked Camelback Mountain yet, odds are you’ve seen it in a picture.
If you couldn’t guess from the name, this iconic mountain is, you guessed it, shaped like a camel’s back.
Camelback has two different trails that lead to the top of the mountain, Echo Canyon and Cholla, and while both are touristy and will be crowded on weekends, do not underestimate the difficulty level of these hikes.
Clocking in at 1,522 feet in 1.3 miles on the Echo side, this is a stair-stepper of a hike. The Cholla side has less elevation gain and a smoother climb, however it is also a good workout.
For Echo Canyon, parking is at the mountain’s base and can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays. While the views of the Phoenix Valley from the summit are expansive, you will have an expensive ticket if you watch the sunset up here.
FYI: Tickets are common if your car remains too long after sunset – unless you have bionic knees and can run down boulders in time to get your car before local enforcement comes. (I used to play this fun game of chance before my two knee surgeries. Now, I just hike this trail in the mornings.)
For Cholla Trail, parking is along North Invergordon Road in Paradise Valley. Don’t leave one of the most iconic hikes in Phoenix off your list!
3. Dobbin’s Lookout via East Mineral Road
Distance: 3.8 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 1,000 feet
Location: South Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona
Level of Effort: Moderate
Dogs: Yes, on leash
South Mountain, creatively named by its location in south Phoenix, has a multitude of trails to choose from. Dobbin’s Lookout is a good hike at any time of the day but especially shines during sunrise or sunset.
While 1,000’ of elevation may seem like a lot, it’s more gradual than you would think (but is still a great workout). This trail gives epic views of the Phoenix Valley from a unique vantage point.
As a bonus, if some of your party isn’t able to hike to the top but you want to watch the sunset or sunrise together, there is a road that you can take to the very top of the mountain.
Parking is limited at the top and always remember to Leave No Trace and pack out all trash.
4. Tom’s Thumb
Distance: 4.0 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 1,217 feet
Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, Arizona
Level of Effort: Hard
Dogs: Yes, on leash
The rock formations on this hike are unlike any you have ever seen. Named after the first member of the Arizona Mountaineering Club who climbed it, Tom Kreuser, the culmination of this hike ends at it’s namesake – a big rock that looks like a thumb.
After a few steep miles of switchbacks, the trail eventually flattens out a bit and leads you through a pretty outcropping of rocks.
While approaching the trail’s end at the summit, you’ll have gorgeous views of the McDowell Mountains, Rio Verde, and Scottsdale.
However, make sure you wear hiking shoes with good grip for this trail, as the switchbacks are packed dirt with loose pebbles. This can make it slippery if you don’t have proper footwear. I’ve worn Oboz hiking shoes for the past 8 years, and they are some of my favorites!
Parking is relatively easy and the bathrooms are nice and renovated. While there may only be one “thumbs up” on this hike, I definitely give it two thumbs up.
5. Gateway Loop
Distance: 4.4 miles (loop)
Elevation: 721 feet
Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, Arizona
Level of Effort: Moderate
Dogs: Yes, on leash
This is one of my favorite, more low-key hikes in the Phoenix Valley. It’s a nice stroll with moderate elevation, and it’s one of the few loop trails in the Phoenix area.
As a more beginner-friendly moderate trail, this trail offers excellent views throughout the entire hike. If I’m looking for a nice trail for a walk-and-talk hang with a friend, this is one of my go-to’s.
However, be sure to wear proper footwear on this hike and watch your footing, as this trail can get rocky in some parts.
This trail also has bathrooms at the trailhead as well as a water station for your pup!
Note: Save this hike for springtime in Arizona, as well. During the spring bloom, wildflowers line the trail, and Gateway Loop is a nice local hike for wildflower viewing.
6. Sunrise Peak via Sunrise Trail
Distance: 3.8 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 1,148 feet
Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, Arizona
Level of Effort: Hard
Dogs: Yes, on leash
AllTrails will call this a Moderate hike, but I’m putting it more toward the Hard side; perhaps a Moderate(+) or a Hard(-) level hike.
Either way, you will have moderate elevation gains the entire hike, and will be rewarded with stunning views of the Phoenix Valley and surrounding Fountain Hills area.
This hike, as you might suspect, is excellent for Sunrise. The sun will rise behind the mountains to your east, and you’ll be graced with the beautiful sunfire orange hues of a Phoenix, Arizona sunrise.
The parking lot is not that big, so if you’re coming at peak hours, be aware that you might need to park in the overflow area. Also, as a heads-up, this trailhead does not have a bathroom.
7. Butcher Jones Trail
Distance: 5.8 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 639 feet
Location: Tonto National Forest, Fort McDowell, Arizona
Level of Effort: Moderate
Dogs: Yes, on leash
Pass Required: Yes, Tonto Pass or America the Beautiful
Ahh, Butcher Jones Trail – this is easily one of my favorite hikes in Arizona. While not technically one of the main hikes in Phoenix, it’s as easy drive outside the city and the views are more than worth it.
The hike takes you on a scenic journey around Saguaro Lake, complete with views of Saguaro cacti, steep cliff drop-offs, and even wild horses if you’re lucky!
This hike takes you through bramble woods, down rocky paths, up narrow lakeside paths, and eventually ends with stunning views of some Arizona “fjords” (I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call them that, but essentially, if you use your imagination and pretend they’re a few hundred feet deeper, it could be).
If possible, I’d recommend doing this hike on a weekday, as its stunning views and ample parking make it crowded for a reason.
But can you blame them? This is such a unique hike in Arizona!
A fee is required for use, however, and a Tonto Pass or an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass is required to park here.
Tonto passes can be purchased at local gas stations or drugstores – a full list can be found here.
Note: Save money and use your America the Beautiful National Park Pass! Did you know you can use your National Parks Pass at more than just National Parks? You can use your pass to get into many sites with a standard amenity fee or entrance fee. Simply leave your pass on your car’s dashboard with your signature side facing out, and you’ll be good to go!
8. Weaver’s Needle via Peralta Canyon Trail
Distance: 4.6 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 1,341 feet
Location: Superstition Wilderness, Gold Canyon, Arizona
Level of Effort: Moderate +
Trail Hours:
Dogs: Yes
Weaver’s Needle is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Superstition Mountains, and if you’ve hiked other peaks on the Eastern side of the Phoenix Valley, odds are you have seen it in the distance!
This hike will take you up close and personal with it – well, as close as you can get without a significant scramble.
The hike takes you through a beautiful canyon and ends at Lone Pine Tree. There are beautiful hoodoos along the way and great views of the surrounding Superstition Wilderness. It’s a gradual incline the entire way, with switchbacks sprinkled throughout the trail.
I recommend hiking this trail in the morning and early afternoon, as the canyon can get darker in the afternoon.
Parking is free, yet can fill up quickly on weekends as the parking area serves multiple trailheads.
9. Jacob’s Crosscut, Praying Hands, and Slot Rock Loop
Distance: 4.3 miles (loop)
Elevation: 944 feet
Location: Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction, Arizona
Level of Effort: Moderate
Trail Hours:
Dogs: Yes
I keep saying, “This is one of my favorite hikes” on this list, but really … this list does have a lot of my favorite hikes on it. And for good reason – I want to share them with you so you can love them, too!
But… this is another of my favorite hikes to take visitors on in the Superstitions.
The Superstition Mountains are a beautiful range of craggy, volcanic mountains just East of Phoenix, rising 6,000’ above the Sonoran Desert.
Fun fact: these mountains are one of the most photographed places in Arizona!
It’s easy to go off-trail on this hike, so if you have AllTrailsPro, I recommend downloading the offline map before you venture out to the Superstitions. Service gets spotty once you pass Apache Junction for most cell phone carriers.
Parking can be tricky after significant rain, as the road is mostly gravel and sand, and the torrential downpours that Arizona often experiences when it rains can drastically alter the gravel roads.
Depending on local conditions, there is sometimes a dip/hump you have to drive over before reaching the parking lot.
I’ve never had issues in my Prius, but then again, I have tried to take her off-roading (some might say that is a bold choice), so just be advised that if you have a lower-riding car, you may scrape the bottom while trying to park.
10. Boulder Canyon Trail to Boulder Canyon Viewpoint
Distance: 5.0 miles (out and back)
Elevation: 1,092 feet
Location: Superstition Wilderness, Tortilla Flat, Arizona
Level of Effort: Moderate
Trail Hours:
Dogs: Yes
Pass Required: Yes, Tonto Pass or America the Beautiful
Boulder Canyon offers fantastic views of Canyon Lake and the surrounding Superstition Wilderness area.
This is an excellent hike for wintertime as there is no shade cover, and it is very exposed.
The hike also has lots of loose rocks, so make sure to wear proper hiking shoes that have a good base and good grip on the soles of the shoe.
This is an out-and-back hike with an option to continue past the viewpoint to make this hike 10.2 miles. However, I think you get the most bang for your buck by ending your trek at the viewpoint.
Past the viewpoint, there are numerous creek crossings with similar scenery.
For parking, there are 10 designated free parking spaces across from the trailhead in the Marina parking lot. However, if these are full and you need to park elsewhere, you will need a Tonto Pass or an America the Beautiful Interagency pass.
At the top, you can even see Weaver’s Needle!
P.S. – To read more about the hikes in Phoenix listed above, including trail map details, specific GPS coordinates for direction, recent trail reviews, and trail conditions, check out AllTrails.
I use AllTrails for all of my hikes and can’t imagine doing a hike without this app! It’s a great resource for anyone who enjoys hiking and being outdoors. You can access all trail information and routes with a regular account membership. With the AllTrails+ membership (which I have and 100% recommend for any outdoors enthusiast), you can download offline maps to help you stay on course during your hike.
Wrapping Things Up
Which hike are you going to do first? Let me know in the comments below!
Arizona is a treasure trove of amazing hiking trails, including just a snippet of some of the best hikes in Phoenix above, and I love sharing local adventures and outdoorsy tips. If you enjoyed learning about the best winter hikes in Arizona, consider buying me a coffee to help keep dependable, local, human-lived and experienced travel content available!
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