Hiking in north Phoenix: Sonoran Preserve, North Mountain, and the homes nearby

Nov 14

Your vision, your home, our expertise.

North Phoenix has three distinct trail systems within a short drive of each other, and they could not be more different. The Phoenix Sonoran Preserve trailheads open their lots at 5 a.m. and close them at 7 p.m., and the Apache Wash Loop there runs 5.6 miles with only about 200 feet of climbing. A few miles south, the Shaw Butte Trail packs about 654 feet of climbing into 4.0 miles. Here is what each area offers, according to the City of Phoenix, and which neighborhoods sit close by.

The short answer For long, gentle desert miles, start at the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve's Apache Wash or Desert Vista trailheads. For a short, steep climb with city views, try North Mountain, Shaw Butte, or Lookout Mountain. Most city trailheads open parking at 5 a.m., and Lookout Mountain's lot closes at sunset or 7 p.m., whichever comes first.

What the city says about each trail area

Apache Wash Trailhead, 1600 E. Sonoran Desert Dr.: parking 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., trails 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Apache Wash Loop 5.6 miles, about 200 feet of elevation change, rated easy; vault toilets, no drinkable water (City of Phoenix, Sonoran Preserve Trails page, checked Nov. 14, 2026)
Desert Vista Trailhead, 1900 W. Desert Vista Tr.: Dixie Mountain Loop 3.8 miles, about 401 feet, rated moderate (City of Phoenix, checked Nov. 14, 2026)
Desert Hills Trailhead, 705 W. Carefree Hwy.: Sidewinder Trail 7.0 miles, rated moderate to difficult and described as the most technical trail in the North Sonoran Preserve (City of Phoenix, checked Nov. 14, 2026)
North Mountain and Shaw Butte: North Mountain National Trail 1.6 miles, about 614 feet; Shaw Butte Trail 4.0 miles, about 654 feet, rated difficult; Trail 100 from the visitor center 10.7 miles, about 790 feet (City of Phoenix, North Mountain and Shaw Butte Trails page, checked Nov. 14, 2026)
Lookout Mountain Trailhead, 15600 N. 16th St.: Summit Trail 0.6 miles, about 474 feet; Circumference Trail 2.6 miles, about 150 feet; parking sunrise to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first (City of Phoenix, checked Nov. 14, 2026)
Rescues: more than 200 hikers are rescued each year from City of Phoenix desert and mountain parks and preserves (City of Phoenix, Lookout and Shadow Mountain page, checked Nov. 14, 2026)

The Phoenix Sonoran Preserve: long miles, gentle grades

The Sonoran Preserve trails in far north Phoenix are mostly wide desert routes with modest climbing. The city lists three main trailheads, all with the same hours: parking and entrance from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and trails from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Apache Wash Trailhead

The city describes the Apache Wash Loop as very popular with mountain bikers, and rates it easy at 5.6 miles. Badger Brawl Trail (3.4 miles) and Cliff Walk Trail (2.9 miles, following the Cave Creek wash) branch off from here. For a short climb, the Apache Vista Trail reaches the summit of Apache Hill in 0.5 miles with about 153 feet of gain. If you want a paved option, the city rates the East Skip Rimsza Paseo (1.9 miles) and West Skip Rimsza Paseo (3.1 miles) as its easiest category.

Desert Vista Trailhead

On the preserve's southwest side, Desert Vista leads to the Dixie Mountain Loop (3.8 miles, about 401 feet) with views over Dove Valley, per the city. Union Peak Trail adds a 0.5 mile climb with about 224 feet of gain and 360 degree views at the top. The city notes the route is almost entirely exposed, so sun protection matters even in cooler months.

Desert Hills Trailhead

At 7th Avenue and Carefree Highway, this trailhead serves the Ocotillo Trail (6.3 miles) and the Sidewinder Trail (7.0 miles). The city calls Sidewinder the longest, most technical trail in the North Sonoran Preserve and says it is for more experienced users.

Two larger communities sit in this part of north Phoenix. Our Sonoran Foothills homes for sale page covers sixteen neighborhoods along North Valley Parkway, with 70 sales at a $535,000 median over 12 months as of Nov. 6, 2026. Our Norterra homes for sale page showed 149 sales at a $615,000 median and about 1.9 months of supply on the same date. Both are in homes for sale in 85085, and nearby homes for sale in 85083 cover more of the north side. See where these neighborhoods sit on our Northeast Valley map by zooming to North Phoenix.

North Mountain and Shaw Butte: short and steep

Farther south, along 7th Street and Central Avenue, the climbs get shorter and steeper. The city lists five access points here, all with trailhead hours of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and trail hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

North Mountain National Trail: 1.6 miles from the Maricopa Trailhead at 10600 N. 7th St., about 614 feet, on asphalt and dirt, with views of downtown and north Phoenix.
Shaw Butte Trail: 4.0 miles from 12898 N. Central Ave., about 654 feet, rated difficult. The city notes the concrete foundation of the old Cloud Nine restaurant near the top.
Trail 100: the Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail from the North Mountain Visitor Center at 12950 N. 7th St. runs 10.7 miles with about 790 feet of change, and the city lists water and a shade ramada at that trailhead.
Penny Howe Barrier Free Trail: two small loops totaling 0.3 miles in North Mountain Park, with interpretive plant signs.

Pointe Tapatio homes for sale sit at the edge of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve in homes for sale in 85020, a ZIP with 474 sales and a $424,000 median over the 12 months to Nov. 11, 2026, per our 85020 page.

Lookout Mountain and Shadow Mountain: quieter summits

The city describes Lookout and Shadow Mountain as smaller cousins to North Mountain, with a chance to reach a peak without the crowds and steep gains of Piestewa Peak and North Mountain. The Lookout Mountain Summit Trail still climbs about 474 feet in 0.6 miles, while the Circumference Trail is a 2.6 mile loop with about 150 feet of change. Shadow Mountain has no designated trailhead or parking, only limited street parking at its Acoma Drive and 28th Street access points.

Lookout Mountain homes for sale are 1980s hillside homes beside the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, per our community page, with 27 sales at a $780,000 median over the past 12 months as of Nov. 14, 2026. The wider 85022 homes for sale page showed 535 sales at a $425,000 median for the 12 months to Nov. 11, 2026.

What this means if you are shopping for a home

The three areas suit different routines. The Sonoran Preserve rewards long, flat miles on foot, bike, or horse. North Mountain and Lookout Mountain reward short, hard climbs before work. Pricing reflects the neighborhoods, not the trails alone: across our North Phoenix homes for sale page, 2,414 homes sold at a $620,000 median over the 12 months to Nov. 12, 2026, with about 3.6 months of supply. For the full city picture, start with our Phoenix homes for sale page.

Practical steps before you buy near a trail

Visit the trailhead at the hour you would use it. Lot hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. at most city trailheads, but Lookout Mountain's lot closes at sunset or 7 p.m., whichever is first. An after work hike in December looks very different from one in June.
Check parking on weekends. Shadow Mountain has only limited street parking, per the city. If a home sits near a trail access with no lot, drive by on a Saturday morning to see street parking on that block.
Look at the preserve boundary. Ask your agent to pull the plat map and check how the lot meets open space. Views and privacy can change a lot from one side of the street to the other.
Plan for water. Apache Wash has no drinkable water, per the city. If you are buying for daily hikes, know which trailheads have water and which do not.
Avoid this mistake: assuming that a home near a preserve means a short walk to a trail. Access points are set by the city, and a home can back onto open space with no gate or path nearby. Map the actual walking route before you write an offer.

The honest caveats

Trail hours, closures, and rules come from city pages checked on Nov. 14, 2026, and they can change with construction, fire danger, or heat. The city's Trail Heat Safety Program can affect summer use. Distances and elevation figures are the city's published numbers, and a few look unusual, so treat them as a guide and check the city's printable trail maps. Home figures come from our own community and ZIP pages with the as of dates shown, based on MLS data, and small neighborhoods like Lookout Mountain have few sales, so a handful of homes can move the median a lot. Proximity to a trail is only one factor in value; size, condition, lot, and views matter more.

Frequently asked questions

What are the trail hours in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve?

The City of Phoenix lists parking and entrance hours of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Apache Wash, Desert Hills, and Desert Vista trailheads. The trails themselves are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hours can change, so check the city's Sonoran Preserve trails page before you go.

Is there water at the Apache Wash Trailhead?

No. The city says the Apache Wash Trailhead has vault toilets but no drinkable water. Bring all the water you need for the whole hike.

What is the easiest trail in the Sonoran Preserve?

The city rates the East and West Skip Rimsza Paseos as easiest. They are concrete paths with very little elevation change, 1.9 miles and 3.1 miles long. For a dirt trail, the Apache Wash Loop is rated easy at 5.6 miles with about 200 feet of elevation change.

How hard is the Shaw Butte Trail?

The city rates Shaw Butte as difficult. It is a 4.0 mile loop with about 654 feet of elevation change, and it gets steep and rocky near the top. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

How long is the North Mountain National Trail?

The city lists it at 1.6 miles with about 614 feet of elevation change, rated moderate to difficult. It starts from the Maricopa Trailhead at 10600 N. 7th St. and is an out and back route on asphalt and dirt.

When does the Lookout Mountain Trailhead parking lot close?

The city lists Lookout Mountain Trailhead parking from sunrise to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first. That means winter evenings close earlier than summer ones. The trails themselves are listed as open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Which north Phoenix trail has water at the trailhead?

The city says water and a shade ramada are available at the North Mountain Visitor Center, where the Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail (Trail 100) can be reached. Other trailheads may not have water, so plan to carry your own.

Can I bring my dog on north Phoenix trails?

The city notes leashed dogs on trails such as Shaw Butte and Hawk's Nest. Rules can differ by trail and season, so check the city's posted rules for the trail you plan to use. Cholla cactus grows close to some trail edges, so keep a dog close.

Do Phoenix trails close in the summer heat?

The city runs a Trail Heat Safety Program meant to help people use the trail system while limiting the risk of high heat. Check that program's page before a summer hike to see whether any limits apply that day. Start early and carry more water than you think you need.

What do homes cost near the north Phoenix preserves?

It depends on the neighborhood. On our own community pages, the 12 month median sale price was $780,000 in Lookout Mountain (as of Nov. 14, 2026), $615,000 in Norterra, $535,000 in Sonoran Foothills, and $433,000 in Pointe Tapatio (all as of Nov. 6, 2026). Prices vary widely by home size, lot, and views.

The bottom line

North Phoenix gives you a choice: long, gentle miles in the Sonoran Preserve or short, steep climbs on North Mountain, Shaw Butte, and Lookout Mountain. Check the city's hours before you go, carry your own water, and if trail access is part of your home search, walk the route from the front door before you make an offer. We help buyers at every price point compare these neighborhoods side by side.

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Sources

City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation, Sonoran Preserve Trails (Apache Wash, Desert Hills, Desert Vista trailheads), checked Nov. 14, 2026. Link
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation, North Mountain and Shaw Butte Trails, checked Nov. 14, 2026. Link
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation, Lookout and Shadow Mountain Trails, checked Nov. 14, 2026. Link
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation, Lookout and Shadow Mountain overview (hours, rescues, Trail Heat Safety Program), checked Nov. 14, 2026. Link
Arizona Luxury Partners, Lookout Mountain homes for sale page, MLS figures as of Nov. 14, 2026. Link
Arizona Luxury Partners, Sonoran Foothills, Norterra, and Pointe Tapatio homes for sale pages, MLS figures as of Nov. 6, 2026. Link
Arizona Luxury Partners, Phoenix 85020 and 85022 homes for sale pages, MLS figures as of Nov. 11, 2026. Link
Arizona Luxury Partners, North Phoenix homes for sale page, MLS figures as of Nov. 12, 2026. Link

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. This article is for general information only and is not financial, lending, legal, or tax advice. Arizona Luxury Partners | Real Estate Group at RE/MAX Fine Properties, 21020 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Brokerage License LC629808000. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Kyle Hermann