South Mountain Park and Preserve
Nature preserve
16,420 acres118.4 mi of trail
National TrailMa-Ha-Tuak Perimeter TrailDesert Classic TrailAlta+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailheadWebsite ↗
Photo: DPPed · CC BY-SA 3.0AOutdoors
Outdoors in Phoenix
33% of Phoenix’s land is conserved: 108,144 acres
847 miles of mapped trail cross Phoenix, 1.6 per square mile of land. The biggest trail networks: South Mountain Park and Preserve (118.4 mi), Phoenix Mountains Preserve (95.5 mi), Sonoran Preserve (57.5 mi). 43,471 acres are parks and preserves, 26 per 1,000 residents.
Ahead of 94% of U.S. towns · #17 of 140 in Arizona. What drives it
Conserved land
33%
108,144 acres · of 518.4 sq mi of land
Trails
847 mi
1.6 per sq mi of land
Park land
43,471 ac
26 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
84%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
973 mi
754 mi lanes · 210 mi paths
Highest peak
2,707 ft
Camelback Mountain
Lakes & rivers
40
2 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Phoenix?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Phoenix have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Phoenix is ahead of 94% of U.S. towns, #17 of 140 in Arizona. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; conserved land ranks highest, the share of residents near a park lowest.
A
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Phoenix’s overall grade.
Conserved land33% of the land · typical AZ town 14% · U.S. 4%A+Trails1.6 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (847 mi) · AZ 1.1 · U.S. 0.4APark land26 acres of park per 1,000 residents (43,471 acres) · AZ 8 · U.S. 13B+Parks close to home84% of residents within a half mile of a park · AZ 56% · U.S. 72%B+
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 94%
LessMore
Arizona towns of 2,500+ (140)Ahead of 88%
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Phoenix ranks #39 on Outdoors.
Arizona towns conserve more land than most (a typical one, 14%; the U.S., 4%), so Phoenix’s 33% is ahead of 70% of Arizona towns, while its trails per square mile lead 71% of them.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would still be A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it. A citywide figure averages neighborhoods that differ a lot.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is South Mountain Park and Preserve, with 118.4 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Managed by City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
5,345 acres95.5 mi of trail
#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail#1A - Perl Charles Trail#302 - Circumference Trail#8 - Quartz Ridge Trail+1
No dogs
Directionsto the trailhead
Sonoran Preserve
Nature preserve
9,835 acres57.5 mi of trail
Sidewinder TrailApache Wash TrailOcotillo TrailDixie Mountain Loop+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailheadWebsite ↗
Papago Park
Managed by City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
946 acres25.3 mi of trail
5k TrailDouble Butte LoopBig Butte LoopNature Trail+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
North Mountain Preserve
Nature preserve
1,684 acres25 mi of trail
#306 - Shaw Butte Trail#100 - Charles M. Christiansen TrailTrail 44 - North Mountain National Trail#60 - Nature Trail+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailhead
Lookout Mountain Preserve
Nature preserve
332 acres12.9 mi of trail
Trail 308Trail 150 - Summit TrailOld Trail 308Trail 25A+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Deem Hills Recreation Area
Nature preserve
989 acres10.9 mi of trail
Circumference TrailRidgeline TrailPalisade TrailCAP Road Trail+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Scarlett Canyon Preserve
Nature preserve
500 acres10.7 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
All 224 parks & preserves
South Mountain Park and Preserve16,420 acres · 118.4 mi of trail
DirectionsPhoenix Mountains Preserve5,345 acres · 95.5 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSonoran Preserve9,835 acres · 57.5 mi of trail
DirectionsPapago Park946 acres · 25.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNorth Mountain Preserve1,684 acres · 25 mi of trail
DirectionsLookout Mountain Preserve332 acres · 12.9 mi of trail
DirectionsDeem Hills Recreation Area989 acres · 10.9 mi of trail
DirectionsScarlett Canyon Preserve500 acres · 10.7 mi of trail
DirectionsReach 11 Recreation Area1,111 acres · 9.9 mi of trail
DirectionsCave Buttes Recreation Area2,773 acres · 8.8 mi of trail
Shadow Mountain Preserve205 acres · 7.5 mi of trail
DirectionsRio Salado Habitat Restoration Area614 acres · 7.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBuffalo Ridge Preserve160 acres · 3.7 mi of trail · City of Phoenix
DirectionsSteele Indian School Park66 acres · 3.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTres Rios Wetlands360 acres · 2.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Water Services Department
DirectionsEcho Canyon Recreation Area256 acres · 2.3 mi of trail
DirectionsGranada Park46 acres · 1.7 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsBuffalo Ridge Park43 acres · 1.7 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsThunderbird Conservation Park107 acres · 1.6 mi of trail
El Oso Park30 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMarivue Park30 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRose Mofford Sports Complex76 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDesert Foothills Park51 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMountain Vista Park41 acres · 1.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPinnacle Park79 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDust Devil Park15 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRio Salado Audubon Center13 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Audubon
DirectionsAguila Park183 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPhoenix Mountains Park43 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGrovers Basin Park41 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Directions10th Street Wash Basin15 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLookout Mountain Park23 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMountain View Park36 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMargaret T. Hance Park36 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSunridge Park18 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLaveen Area Conveyance Channel150 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDesert Broom Park41 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSereno Park41 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDeem Hills Community Park36 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Desert Hills Trailhead18 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsParadise Valley Park89 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDesert West Park86 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPecos Park58 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEncanto Park56 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEsteban Park51 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCielito Park46 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDeer Valley Petroglyph Preserve41 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsHarmon Park8 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAcacia Park8 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Deer Valley Park51 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWashington Park46 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEl Prado Park41 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRoadrunner Park36 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMadison Park20 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Maryvale Park15 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNorton Park8 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMonterey Park5 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAltadena Park5 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLibrary Park5 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsTovrea Castle Historic Area41 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsCave Creek Park - Thunderbird15 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCashman Park10 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGreentrails (private)5 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsAlkire Park5 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEast Kent Drive Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
South Mountain Preserve16,377 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Old Cross Cut Canal Park68 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSueno Park41 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLa Pradera Park36 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDesert Horizon Park28 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCortez Park25 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHermoso Park25 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsVista Canyon Park23 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLos Olivos Park23 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJohn W. Teets Park13 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsFarmland Park13 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Falcon Park10 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLittle Canyon Park10 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWerner's Field Park8 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAshurst Drive Park8 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Townhomes on the Park8 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsFrancisco Highland Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPaseo Pointe Community Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Holiday Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsOrme Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Raintree Gardens Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Civic Space Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRanch Circle Community Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsRoesley Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Matthew Henson Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCopper Leaf Park One3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Phoenix Manor Dog Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsVirginia G. Piper Plaza3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
DirectionsMaryvale Tot Lot Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAdobe Mountain Desert Railway Park119 acres
DirectionsCave Creek Park - Cholla66 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCasa de Montanes58 acres
Manzanita Park41 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPaseo Highlands Park36 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEl Reposo Park36 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCave Creek Park - Sweetwater33 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHighline Park30 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Cactus Park30 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMoon Valley Park30 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSanta Maria Park30 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsRoyal Palm Park30 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCave Creek Park - Larkspur28 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsConocido Park25 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsIndian Bend Wash Park25 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCoyote Basin Park25 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTurtle Rock Basin Park23 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Sweetwater Park23 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCrossed Arrows Park20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAviano Neighborhood Park20 acres · City of Scottsdale
DirectionsCave Creek Park - Cactus20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPierce Park20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSandpiper Park20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMariposa Park20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJackrabbit Park20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsTramonto Park20 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLindo Park18 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDynamite Park18 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSun Ray Park18 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHayden Park18 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsVenturoso Park18 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Directions43rd Avenue & Southern Avenue SEC Basin15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Trailside Point Park15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCave Creek Park - Sandlilly15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLaveen Heritage Park15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation Dept
DirectionsStetson Hills Park15 acres
DirectionsLaveen Village Park15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSonrisa Park15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Sunburst Paradise Park15 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Barrios Unidos Park13 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSurrey Park13 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsParadise Cove Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsApache Wash Trailhead10 acres
DirectionsDesert Willow Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDesert Star Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Mountain View Community Center Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPalomino Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMa-Ha Tuak Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWesley Bolin Plaza10 acres
DirectionsCoronado Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHarvest Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Nueve Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSolano Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEastlake Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSunset Basin Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsArcadia Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsChristy Cove Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsPerry Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNevitt Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsStarlight Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsG.R. Herberger Park10 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDobbins Creek Community Park10 acres
Western Star Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsAcoma Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHoshoni Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsQuail Run Basin Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Palma Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGreentrails8 acres
DirectionsTelephone Pioneers Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCholla Cove Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsColter Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Equestrian Arena Park8 acres
DirectionsAdobe Mountain Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Playa Margarita Park8 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSunnyslope Park5 acres · City of Peoria
DirectionsUniversity Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsKierland Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Green Valley Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsEdison Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSouthern Hills Community Park5 acres · Southern Hills HOA
West Plaza Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsJohn F. and Mary P. Long Homestead Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Sumida Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsDesert Storm Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsWestown Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsNuestro Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Country Gables Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Mercury Mine Basin Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGrandvew (private)5 acres
Indian Bend Park5 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Tierra Montana Passage Community Park5 acres
Memorial Park5 acres
Liberty Park3 acres
Stetson Valley Park3 acres
Dove Valley Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLongview Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsThe Post Recreation Center3 acres
DirectionsVerde Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHeritage Park3 acres · City Of Glendale
Kachina Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Duck Lake Park3 acres
Desert Vista Trailhead3 acres
DirectionsClub West Community Park3 acres
DirectionsViad Park3 acres
DirectionsCoffelt-Lamoreaux Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsGrant Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCentral Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsKid Street Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsHerberger Park One3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsCountry Club Oval Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsMoonlight Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Private Club House3 acres
Honor Park3 acres
Fairway Crossings Greenspace3 acres
Freedom Park3 acres
Founders Park3 acres
Triangle Park3 acres · Dynamite Mountain Ranch
Las Brisas Park3 acres
DirectionsMomo Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsSouth Mountain Preserve - Telegraph Pass Entrance3 acres
Heirloom Park3 acres
DirectionsThe Park at PV3 acres
DirectionsVolleyball Park3 acres
Basketball Park3 acres
Desert Rose3 acres
Virginia Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Bones Park3 acres
Lewis Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsLyceum Park3 acres · City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
DirectionsZen Garden3 acres
DirectionsWho protects it
108,144 conserved acres
33% of Phoenix’s land. Who manages Phoenix’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
State Department of Land59,647 ac
Town or city47,313 ac
Bureau of Reclamation2,098 ac
State fish & wildlife1,697 ac
Regional agency1,618 ac
County1,616 ac
Bureau of Land Management188 ac
State Resource Management Area · 59,647 acLocal Park · 30,010 acLocal Conservation Area · 14,967 acLocal Recreation Area · 4,840 acFederal Other or Unknown · 2,098 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. Public access isn’t recorded for 2 of 209 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Trust Land State Resource Management Area | State Department of Land | 59,647 | Restricted |
| Phoenix South Mountain Park Local Park | Town or city | 15,941 | Open |
| Sonoran Mountain Preserve Local Conservation Area | Town or city | 7,658 | Open |
| Phoenix Mountains Preserve Local Conservation Area | Town or city | 5,238 | Restricted |
| Cave Buttes Rec Area Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 3,729 | Open |
| Usbr Federal Other or Unknown | Bureau of Reclamation | 2,098 | Unknown |
| North Mountain Preserve Local Conservation Area | Town or city | 1,702 | Restricted |
| Ben Avery Shooting Facility State Conservation Area | State fish & wildlife | 1,697 | Open |
| Adobe Dam Regional Park Local Park | Regional agency | 1,514 | Open |
| Papago Park Local Park | Town or city | 1,129 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
944 places to go in Phoenix
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Public pools in Phoenix
43 public pools are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Playgrounds in Phoenix
Cypress Ridge Ninja CourseHours: sunrise-sunset
DirectionsCypress Ridge Tot LotHours: sunrise-sunset
DirectionsDust Devil Splash PadIn Dust Devil Park
DirectionsMary Moore Playground at Pierce ParkIn Pierce Park
DirectionsMcDonald's PlayPlace
DirectionsMcDonald's PlayPlace
DirectionsMoonlight Shadows Neighborhood Playground
DirectionsSouthern Hills PlaygroundIn Southern Hills Community Park
Directions1 more playground
Sun Ray Park PlaygroundIn Sun Ray Park
Directions640 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Phoenix
Apartment Dog Park
DirectionsDeem Hills Dog ParkIn Deem Hills Community Park
DirectionsEsteban Dog ParkIn Esteban Park
DirectionsFoothills Canine Academy Brenda Dreyer
DirectionsGrovers Basin Dog ParkIn Grovers Basin Park
DirectionsHance Park Dog ParkIn Margaret T. Hance Park
DirectionsHance Park Dog Park
DirectionsPETsMART Dog ParkIn Washington Park
Directions11 more dog parks
Paradise Valley Park Large Dog ParkHours: 05:30-23:00 · In Paradise Valley Park
DirectionsParadise Valley Park Small Dog ParkHours: 05:30-23:00 · In Paradise Valley Park
DirectionsPaw Pup Park
DirectionsPetSmart Bark Park
DirectionsPinnacle Dog ParkIn Pinnacle Park
DirectionsRJ Dog ParkHours: Mon–Sun 6 am – 11 pm · In Pecos Park
DirectionsRJ Dog ParkHours: Mon–Sun 6 am – 11 pm · In Pecos Park
DirectionsRose Mofford Large Dog ParkIn Rose Mofford Sports Complex
DirectionsRose Mofford Small Dog ParkIn Rose Mofford Sports Complex
DirectionsSouthern Hills Dog Park
DirectionsUnion Bark Park
Directions36 dog parks are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Boat launches in Phoenix
2 boat launches without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Fishing spots in Phoenix
1 fishing spot without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Waterfalls in Phoenix
2 waterfalls without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Phoenix
Bobby's RockIn Echo Canyon Recreation Area
DirectionsEcho Canyon ViewpointIn Echo Canyon Recreation Area
DirectionsGiraffe OverlookIn Papago Park
DirectionsOverlookIn South Mountain Park and Preserve
Directions50 scenic views are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Peaks in Phoenix
Camelback Mountain2,707 ft elevation · In Echo Canyon Recreation Area
DirectionsMount Suappoa2,671 ft elevation · In South Mountain Park and Preserve
DirectionsPhoenix Mountains2,546 ft elevation · In Phoenix Mountains Preserve
DirectionsPiestewa Peak2,546 ft elevation · In Phoenix Mountains Preserve
DirectionsMaricopa Peak2,523 ft elevation · In South Mountain Park and Preserve
DirectionsDixie Peak2,428 ft elevation · In Phoenix Mountains Preserve
DirectionsUnion Peak2,382 ft elevation · In Sonoran Preserve
DirectionsDobbins Lookout2,330 ft elevation · In South Mountain Park and Preserve
Directions5 more peaks
Goat Hill2,310 ft elevation · In South Mountain Park and Preserve
DirectionsDixie Mountain2,277 ft elevation · In Sonoran Preserve
DirectionsPyramid Peak2,234 ft elevation
DirectionsTwo Peaks2,201 ft elevation · In South Mountain Park and Preserve
DirectionsLudden Mountain2,195 ft elevation
Directions128 peaks are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Picnic areas in Phoenix
Elliot RamadaIn Papago Park
DirectionsHavasupi Area 8In North Mountain Preserve
DirectionsLas Lomitas Picnic GroundIn South Mountain Park and Preserve
DirectionsMaricopa Area 3In North Mountain Preserve
DirectionsPiedras Grandes Picnic GroundIn South Mountain Park and Preserve
DirectionsPima Area 4In North Mountain Preserve
DirectionsQuechan Area 7In North Mountain Preserve
DirectionsTewa Area 5In North Mountain Preserve
Directions1 more picnic area
Yavapai Area 10In North Mountain Preserve
Directions31 picnic areas are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Campgrounds in Phoenix
Shooter's Campground (East)
DirectionsShooter's Campground (West)
DirectionsDisc golf in Phoenix
Buffalo Ridge Disc Golf CourseIn Buffalo Ridge Park
DirectionsPlus 4 disc golf without a name on the map.
Community gardens in Phoenix
Spaces of Opportunity
DirectionsPlus 3 community gardens without a name on the map.
Trails & water
25 named trails and 40 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 360.8 miHorses · 267.2 miUnpaved · 484.0 mi
National Trail15.1 mi
#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail10.8 mi
Black Canyon Trail7.9 mi
Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail7.1 mi
Maricopa Trail7.0 mi
Sidewinder Trail6.7 mi
Apache Wash Trail6.2 mi
Ocotillo Trail6.1 mi
Circumference Trail5.7 mi
Desert Classic Trail4.7 mi
15 more trails
Alta
4.6 miBajada Trail
4.1 miDixie Mountain Loop
3.9 miDesert Classic
3.9 miOuter Loop North
3.6 mi#306 - Shaw Butte Trail
3.4 miBrawling Badger Trail
3.3 miBursera Trail
3.3 miEsplanade Trail
3.3 miRidgeline Trail
3.1 miOuter Loop South
3.0 miGreat Horned Owl Trail
3.0 mi5k Trail
3.0 mi#1A - Perl Charles Trail
3.0 miGila Trail
2.9 miLakes & rivers tap for directions
Alvord LakelakeAso TankreservoirBird LakepondBiscuit TankreservoirBlack TankreservoirBosco TankreservoirBronco TankreservoirBumper BoatsCave Buttes ReservoirreservoirCortez Park LakeDemonstration WetlandpondDesert Lake TankreservoirDesert OasispondDesert West LakeEncanto LagoonpondEscondido TankreservoirFlat TankGarden PondpondGibson TankreservoirGranada LakelakeLockett TankreservoirMain LakelakeMaricopa TankreservoirMesquite TankreservoirMiddle TanksreservoirMilky Way TankreservoirNew River TankreservoirPalo Verde TankreservoirPapago PondsreservoirPurcell TankreservoirRock TankreservoirSaguaro TankreservoirSkunk Creek TankreservoirSnodgrass TankreservoirSplash DownWetlandsSalt RiverSkunk Tank WashSonoran WashWeir Wash
Biking & sports
973 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
754 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
210 mi
off-road bike paths
9.7 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
Sun Circle TrailBike route
15.4 miCourts & fields
897Basketball
723Tennis
359Baseball
234Soccer
181Pickleball
116Tracks
85Beach volleyball
75Volleyball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →228 places on the National Register, one a National Historic Landmark
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 65 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Dr. Roland Lee Rosson HouseBuilding · listed 1971
About itArizona State Capitol BuildingBuilding · listed 1974
About itPhoenix Carnegie Library And Library ParkBuilding · listed 1974
About itEvans HouseBuilding · listed 1976
About itMonroe SchoolBuilding · listed 1977
About itPhoenix TownsiteDistrict · listed 1978
About itSt. Mary's ChurchBuilding · listed 1978
About itAdams SchoolBuilding · listed 1979
About itFirst Baptist ChurchBuilding · listed 1982
About itHotel Westward HoBuilding · listed 1982
About itKenilworth Elementary SchoolBuilding · listed 1982
About it216 more on the History page.
When to get out
April is the best month for walking in Phoenix
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 10.2 | 10.9 | 11.9 | 13.0 | 13.9 | 14.4 | 14.2 | 13.4 | 12.3 | 11.3 | 10.4 | 9.9 |
| High (°F) | 67 | 71 | 78 | 85 | 94 | 103 | 105 | 104 | 99 | 88 | 76 | 66 |
| Rain (in) | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.9 |
June is the driest month (under 0.1 in) and July the warmest (highs of 105 °F). 1.1 inches fall in February, the wettest month. Summer highs reach 105 °F, too hot for the outline. The climate in Phoenix →
Next door
Phoenix and its neighbors
Phoenix has the most mapped trails of the 8 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Phoenix847 miScottsdale442 miPeoria223 miNew River128 miCave Creek78 miGlendale51 miTempe41 miParadise Valley2.7 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 33% | 1.6 | 26 | 84% | A |
| Scottsdale | 30% | 2.4 | 15 | 71% | A |
| Peoria | 42% | 1.3 | 86 | 92% | A+ |
| Glendale | 5% | 0.8 | 10 | 98% | A− |
| Paradise Valley | 3% | 0.2 | 12 | 15% | C |
| Tempe | 5% | 1.0 | 9 | 98% | A− |
| New River | 52% | 2.3 | 5 | 23% | B+ |
| Cave Creek | 55% | 2.1 | 557 | 37% | A |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Phoenix
Where can I hike in Phoenix?
The longest trail networks: South Mountain Park and Preserve, 118.4 miles; Phoenix Mountains Preserve, 95.5 miles; Sonoran Preserve, 57.5 miles; Papago Park, 25.3 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Phoenix is conserved land?
33% of its land, against a typical 14% for an Arizona town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Phoenix’s trails?
South Mountain Park and Preserve and Phoenix Mountains Preserve don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Phoenix?
973 miles of bike routes are on the map: 754 of painted or protected lanes, 210 of off-road paths and 9.7 of shoulders and shared lanes. Named routes: Sun Circle Trail.
Is there public land near Phoenix?
216,278 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Phoenix or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 45,145 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Phoenix have?
Ahead of 94% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #17 of 140 in Arizona. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Phoenix neighbors.
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Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →