Phoenix Mountains Preserve — Attraction in Phoenix

Phoenix Mountain Preserves gets a full five stars. This place is loaded with trails, views, and enough space to make you forget you are right in the middle of a city. Most people seem to laser focus on hiking Piestewa, which is a solid hike, sure, if you are into climbing a mountain while being herded like cattle. It is a good workout, but you are definitely not getting solitude up there.

The rest of the park though? That is where the magic is. Tons of trails that wind through beautiful desert scenery. You can hike, bike, run, walk your dog, or just wander around pretending you are one with nature. Whatever your thing is, this place has room for it.

Just stay on the trail. Trust me. I went off trail not too long ago and had a close encounter with a western diamondback that definitely did not want to be friends. You are in their turf, so keep your eyes open and your steps careful.

Whether you want a tough climb or just a peaceful walk with views, Phoenix Mountain Preserves has it. Solid spot to recharge, sweat a little, and remind yourself that Arizona is not just freeways and chain...

The Phoenix mountain preserves are absolutely beautiful and have many trails for all levels. Do your research before you go so you know what works for you. On the piewesta peak side many people do the summit for the climb and the view. The freedom trail 302 is a turn off from the peak that is much quieter and peaceful. The nature trail 304 at the back parking lot is a great loop with some incline. There are many turnoffs from there as well. If you are looking for something more intense. It also connects to dreamy draw. Dreamy draw has an orange loop that's pretty short, and the yellow loop, which goes a little further that is also called the outer loop and does have some incline as well. Dreamy draw is not well marked so use your sense of direction to stay on the path. It's much quieter on that side than on the piewesta peak side. Whatever you choose, just go out and enjoy the...

Every part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserves renders a great experience. If you want to do something as a visitor in Arizona, definitely go to any of the Phoenix Mtn. Preserves at Sunrise and Sunset and take some amazing photos. If you're a native and you have experienced the preserves then you're in for a surprise. The trails are rarely hiked by anyone. They have fantastic views of not just the landscape but of the full spectum of Arizona's indigenous animals as well. Having said that, just this evening for sundown I hiked up The La Princessa side to the top of Window Rock and just before the top I ran into a huge hive of bees that were in a large cleft in the rock. They were very aggressive so be careful, I almost ran off into what wouldve been much a much worse scenario, the cliffs edge, trying to run from...