Dobbins Lookout — Attraction in Phoenix

Great trail, I'd say for adults it's more of a moderate then difficult. Younger kids In my opinion shouldn't be on this trail. Just use common sense! Dont recomend doing it within 12 hours or so of any rain fall,rocks are very slippery. Listen to the signs stay on the Trail! Keep your eyes open and be aware of ALL your surroundings, look as far ahead to see what's going to be coming up, keep an eye out behind you (if with anyone to make sure their still there) also to keep an eye out if anyone on bikes, or horses or runners are moving faster then yourself. Yesterday at about 4pm just after leaving dobbins lookout on the holbert trail were two Coyotes who werent afraid of me at all, I hollered, make loud noises yet they still began to approach me with very little hesitation, I had a walking stick (pepper spray if needed) before ever having to use other force, after tossing 3 smaller rocks NEAR them not AT, they moved off the path and I just carefully walked by, and have warning to others I passed, Let's hope people arent feeding coyotes that can become a dangerous situation, the walk down was much quicker then going up but beautiful each way with the light hitting completely different sides of the mountain... Keep I mind how fast that Sun drops in these winter months too...it had just gotten dark as I passed the round building at the end of the road, so ten minutes walking in the dark wasn't awful, over all I reccomend this to anyone who's an avid hiker! Bring WATER!. And enjoy a scenic hike but a breathtaking Sunset...

There were about 100 people up there on the Sunday night in April when we visited to watch the sunset. There was music and two trucks serving fresh fruit and shaved ice. It was a neat experience, like a big party. I generally prefer in my nature experiences with fewer people around, but am still glad I went. You could see the moon rise on one side of the mountain and the sun setting on the other.

The drive to and from the lookout is a trip! It’s a long, narrow, winding, mountain road with very little room for error. Sketchy but exhilarating. Due to the number of cars up there, parking spots were hard to come by. There was some traffic congestion on the way out.

The park closes at 7 so you have to get in before that. You can leave the park anytime after 7 though (you’re not trapped in).

The stone structure at the top is pretty sweet too! All in all a very unique experience.

PS - there seemed to be a lot of cool hiking trails throughout this park but we didn’t have time to explore...

Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain offers one of the best panoramic views of the Greater Phoenix area, and this visit was made even more special by a lineup of classic cars. The combination of timeless vehicles and stunning desert vistas created a truly memorable morning.

At nearly 2,330 feet, Dobbins Lookout provides breathtaking 360-degree views that showcase the sprawling city below, framed by rugged desert landscapes. The drive up is scenic, winding through South Mountain’s beautiful trails and cacti-filled surroundings, and the atmosphere at the top is serene yet lively, especially with unique events like vintage car meetups.

This spot is perfect for early morning adventures, sunset lovers, or anyone wanting to take in Arizona’s natural beauty with a dash of cityscape charm. Whether you’re here for the views, the photo opportunities, or the peaceful vibes, Dobbins Lookout never...