Arizona is a hiker’s paradise. With thousands of acres of preserves and parks, there are plenty of areas to explore. As we traveled through the state this week, we were able to enjoy a small sampling of the trails they have to offer. I’ve listed them here in chronological order, with no particular favorite, as they all offered their own challenges and beautiful scenery.

1. Saguaro National Park

Out of all the hikes we had planned for the trip, this was the one that I looked forward to most. However, after stopping at the Visitors Center before hitting the trail, I realized we weren’t going to be able to do the long hike I had imagined. Since the temperatures had been over 100 degrees, the rangers recommended that we only stay out for a maximum of two hours. They expressed their concern about our lack of acclimation to the weather (as this was day 2 of the trip) and explained that they had already rescued 3 hikers in the past two days. Armed with this information and a map, we explored the two trails they recommended: the Valley View Overlook and the trail that lead to the Signal Hill Petroglyphs.

The Valley View Overlook trail was an easy hike with minimal hills. The trail is lined with all kinds of cacti and other plants that have clear description markers. The prickly pear and saguaro cacti were starting to bloom; I imagine that in a few weeks they would be much fuller. We didn’t encounter any wildlife outside of a few small lizards and honeybees. Once we made it to the overlook, we were able to get a spectacular view of the park. If you are looking for a quick and easy hike in Saguaro, I’d suggest this to be an option.

The Signal Hill Petroglyphs were very cool. It wasn’t much of a trail, but it does contain a lot of steps up to an overlook where you can view the petroglyphs. This was a bit more crowded since its base is a popular picnic spot, yet it is still worth a visit.

2. Papago Park

This was a great introduction to Phoenix area hiking. We took the Double Butte Trail Loop, which was an easy hike around the large and small buttes of Papago Park. The trail was well marked and clear of any major rocks and debris. At 2.3 miles long, it makes for an easy sightseeing trip or a trip to acclimate to the weather, which was our primary reason for choosing it.

3. Sonoran Desert Preserve

This was my favorite hike that we did in the Phoenix area. Being a bit north of town, the terrain shifted from civilization to a beautiful mountain landscape. We took the Sidewinder trail, was more challenging than the trails we attempted previously, which made it fun. At the top of the peak there was a spectacular view for Don to photograph. I would consider this trail to be for those with a more moderate level of activity, since it was a bit more difficult to traverse in the heat.

Non-traditional Hikes Worth Mentioning

4. Hole In The Rock

Even though I wouldn’t consider our trip to Hole In The Rock a full hike, it was worth the trip. Located next to Papago Park, the spot is popular with both locals and tourists. We decided to visit to watch the sunset; as we quickly learned, this is a pretty common thing to do. Make sure you get there early to claim a piece of rock to sit on!

When you’re used to midwestern sunsets like I am, this was not as impressive as I hoped. However, I would highly suggest visiting here. It creates a serene experience, an opportunity to learn more about Phoenix’s natural history, and its a great place to watch planes fly into Sky Harbor and get a view of downtown Phoenix. There are steps leading up to the monument, but they are not exceptionally difficult. Therefore, I would consider this to be an easy hike.

5. Montezuma Castle National Monument

This was for sure not a hike, but there was walking involved! Close enough!

It was really cool to see how the Sinagua people used the natural landscape to their advantage. Even though it is clearly worn, the castle is still impressive. This would be a great trip for those needing a break from hiking, as the path is paved. I’d also recommend it to those with children, since it is an educational experience.

To close, I have a few tips about hiking Arizona in the summertime:

• If you plan on seeing multiple national parks/monuments, it is worth buying a pass. After going to Saguaro and Montezuma, we would have spent half of our membership fee just in seeing those parks alone.
• As obvious as it seems, make sure you have plenty of water and a snack. It is always best to prepare for the worst case scenario, since the desert is unforgiving.
• Wear sun protective clothing. For all of these hikes, I wore my SPF protective long sleeve running shirts, hiking tights, a hat, and my buff. While here, Don purchased a pair of sun protective gloves that he found to be helpful.
• Remember the sunscreen! Your trip will be super miserable if you get burnt out on the trail.
• Finally, know your limitations. If you are from a different climate like we are, its going to take time to truly adjust to the difference. If you can’t do the 6+ miles that you can do at home, its okay. Instead, focus on taking your time, enjoying the view, and having fun!