- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
South Mountain Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
36 reviews for South Mountain Park
I can't believe everyone is talking about driving up to the summit.
Get up off your lazy ass and hike it!! It is possible to get up there using your own to two feet...well, maybe not during the summer...but it's totally worth it.
I'm taking off a star because I think the trail is difficult to follow towards the top and I've gotten lost several times. And getting lost in the mountains with no cell phone coverage gives me a panic attack.
They also have silent sundays where they close off the road to the summit to vehicle traffic. Bicylists love it. I tried to walk it once, but I got more mean comments from cyclists in a few hours than I had in the entire previous year. Apparently, I didn't know I was supposed to walk the shoulder of the road. So from now on, I'll stick to hiking the mountain trail and enjoy beautiful mother nature..
People thought this was:
- Useful (6)
- Funny (7)
- Cool (7)
After Thanksgiving dinner in Chandler, a few of us headed up to South Mountain to check out the view. A lightning storm was also going on several miles away and it just made for a surreal and altogether awesome experience.
I do thoroughly caution you to go slow driving up. Twice, we almost got hit by cars tearing around corners on their way down, completely in our lane on the two-lane road. Not to stereotype, but a lot of young people do hang out up there at night. ;-)
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (1)
Drove to the top today and it was well worth it. New to town so it was nice to get a "bird's eye view" of our new city.
Didn't hike it yet, since it's the middle of July and we don't want heat stroke- I think that will be a winter excursion.
Must see!
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
Touted as the world's largest municipal park. It was AWESOME. The view from 2,300 ft elevation was spectacular! We drove as oppose to hiking up (due to time constrants), the roads were winding and narrow, so had to be careful. It is worth the trip.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (2)
I love South Mountain... okay lover moment aside...
What do you want to do?
-- Hike? cool tons of trails for ya from easy to hard...
-- Bike? road or mountain, we got both for ya. Mtn goes from flat very fast trails to very very technical XC rides to some killer downhill/vert stuff. Road has great views and one sunday/mo they shut road down to motors so get a wide open road all to yourself
-- Views? heck yes, you'll have to hike a bit if you want distance but if you're looking for nature - tons here and plenty of places to get away from ppl traffic also to have a very quiet place to sit and think.
Funny thing about South... is it seems almost everybody has their own favorite place to go while there. The low flat trails get a little busy but that's easy stuff, if you want to be alone work a little bit and you get away from 95% of the traffic.
Everybody seems to have a "secret" spot too they like to hike and get away... I've got one that my buddy and I know of that when we get up there... there's a point at which we keep going and we've only seen like 2 other ppl go that far back into the canyons... so it's always a very peaceful run and can even look down onto the main trails and watch people down there too.
South is great... I need to mess around more on the west side of the mountain but I live in Ahwatukee so I'm on the east side and just ride over there.
They do close some of the lesser known trails from time to time to get the wildlife back in and get some growth back in, and other than once getting lost on a close trail I've never had issues.
The park rangers I've met there are always nice, always asking how the trails were and making sure ppl are safe.
Probably not the smartest idea, but I love to run when there's a storm rolling in... just love going out there and thinking and being alone...
People thought this was:
- Useful (7)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (6)
If you do drive it, you can make it all the way to mcdowell coming down w/o hitting the gas once at night.
Silent Sundays! They shut the road down to cars so bring your skateboard/bike/radio flyer wagon and roll it.
BRING WATER. I never unserstood how people live in the desert and then end up stuck on a mountain dehydrated with heat stroke. News flash, its hot and dry here. Come prepared. This mountain has probably the best views of the city and some really cool trails. If you are gonna drive it make sure to fill your tank up because while it takes nothing to get down it youll go thru a half tank getting up it :)
Awesome park! I head out to South Mountain every couple months or so on my road bicycle to take advantage of "Silent Sunday." Every month, for one Sunday, the roads are completely closed to cars. Check the city of Phoenix's website for the dates. It's about 6 miles and up, up, up to get to the TV towers, which is the final destination for most of the folks out there on Silent Sunday. A great workout!
As others have noted, there are great views from the top, and it's a good place to take people who are visiting. The hiking trails are great, too!
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (3)
I was super excited to go to South Mountain Park because:
A: it's really close to where I live
B: it had all these great reviews
C: I wanted to start hiking and I thought this was a great place to start
D: my roommates had a map of the park on the fridge about the various trails, so I felt like I knew where to go/what to do
So I put in the address from Yelp into the GPS, and I passed by a ranger station, but once I passed that I didn't really see any other parking lots to pull into. I didn't see an area and kept driving up the mountain. Finally, we reached a lot, and found where a trail started.
It just seemed more difficult that I thought it would be. I would try going again, but alas summer is here.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
The drive to the top is really fun, and the view is worth it.
I really enjoyed it here, but there's too much freakin broken glass on any of the trails down near the main shade/view structure that you should realy avoid it if you have your dogs with you and stick to the more wilderness areas.
30 other reviews = TLDR (i just learned that one, see how I'm applying) so I'd rather be brief and useful than wordy and redundant.
I did read Chuck R's review, and I have to say, I wish I knew more of the nooks and crannys that you do, but I can tell you that if you want to explore the Western reaches of the park, do so by starting in the center or east, and not to bother with approaching from the West side of the mountain range itself. All you'll find out there is a bunch of paranoid, possesive property owners who didn't stop to think that if they chose to own a home on a ribbon of private land that surrounds public land and restricts the public from getting to their public land, then they'll have to endure a little bit of traffic from said public. Here's a clue for any of those property owners, whether you're on South Mountain, Piestewa, wherever....the guy sneaking around is the one you call the cops on for being a suspicious trespasser, not the guy driving a family suv with 2 dogs in the back, who calls you from the street as he sees you in your driveway so he can ask directions on how to get to the park entrance so he doesn't have to bother you nice people in the residential neighborhood anymore driving around here. ah, duh.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
Spent a few hours here today (Thursday 11/6). Nice drive up to the summit, with a few stops here and there hoping to find some trails. I knew there were many, but I only stumbled on a handful. This public park is supposedly the largest in the world, yet it can't afford to mark its trailheads? I was expecting to find trailhead signs just like those I encountered at the Grand Canyon, but no. Just have to stumble upon them somehow.
Drives up and down were cool, if a little hairy- my brain kept stimulating my vagal nerves to fire signals up and down the backs of my glutes and leg muscles. Normally, these are unwelcome sensations, but they actually kept me from feeling some of the discomfort caused by lunch (cross-reference Gallagher's)! LOL.
I'll be back very soon. Would be nice to visit in the spring and see some wildflowers along with the cacti.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
A short drive past South Mtn Park front gates and your in a runner's dream. Streets closed off to bikers and runners alone, endless mountains and trails that wind through beautiful desert. We managed to get in a 9 miler and loved the single track and the elevation changes the entire way through. We took a trail to a cliff overlooking all of Phoenix, breathtaking. One star removed for sparse water and restrooms.
Happy trails.
This place is great. So close and yet just hike into it and you're transported away from the city. You've got options to explore here.
Unfortunately, I didn't get but 3 miles into the Mormon Trail when my dog, new to AZ, dove belly first into a patch of cacti. Apparently, he's not a fan of natural acupuncture and I got to yank all the thorns out right there mid trail. Needless to write, he's not going back, but I am. Next time with bike and lots of water.
Good stuff.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
This is one of Phoenix' most notable geologic features, and is also the world's largest municipal park. You can hike, bike, go horseback riding and more, or just drive up to the top. The city looks peaceful from atop the peak and you may see the Valley's beauty and vast size from that vantage point. After a long, winding, dizzying drive to the top you'll find a rugged parking area and the spectacular view can't be missed. As a warning, the drive to the top can be a bit intimidating and unnerving, considering the blind turns and steep drops. However the splendor at the top is worth the trip. If you're comfortable driving down in the dark, you can watch the city transform from daylight to darkness, all while watching a famed Arizona sunset from the mountain peak, seeing spectacular, fiery colors color the sky to the west, while cooler dark hues slowly creep over the city from east-to-west.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
This has been my sanctuary for the last five- years I have lived in Phoenix. Whenever I need to burn some extra calories, think about life, escape from the concrete, or contemplate a major decision, I head for the hills!
I love to hike and having trails so near is pretty much incomparable. It's hard to decide what my favorite part of this massive desert mountain preserve might be, the accessibility, the low low cost of nothing (that's right gratis), or the reward of looking out over our beloved city (and the lovely layer of smog on a nice day) when you make it to the top...
The Alta trail is my favorite, mostly because the mountain bikers can't do this trail and it's really only worthy by foot. Meaning that you don't have to worry that some spandex might run you over at any second, you can be one with nature, deep in thought and not hear the whiz of the spokes coming up behind you. Also due to one of the roads being blocked off 95% of the time, you have to walk a half-mile to get to the trail head. For those that don't like a little extra exercise this could be an inconvenience, for me it's a filter. Not too many people end up on the trail, I usually pass one or two at the most. Now that is serenity...!
This park serves many other purposes beyond a typical hiker like myself, such as: horseback riding, festivals, motor-cross, mountain biking, grills & picnic tables, and you can even catch some vendors up on top if you're just there for a drive!
Advice: To stay safe always let someone know where you are headed, this is the desert and it can be dangerous! I've seen coyotes a couple of times, which are harmless, but there are also rattle snakes, and an intense heat that should not be taken lightly...Bring lots of water and be prepared for little shade...I have had a couple of accidents with my dog involving paws and cacti :( she survived but it wasn't pretty...
Have fun!
People thought this was:
- Useful (8)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (6)
south mountain is THE place to go for great views and gorgeous trails.
ive never actually hiked the mountain, just driven up it. my friend and i have found a sick smoke spot, so listen up all you tokers to share in the most wonderful secret the mountain has to offer for the best sunset views- take central up the mountain and into the park and follow the signs towards the summit. when you get close to the top (its a long way up and a nifty drive) follow the signs to dobbins lookout. as soon as you get to dobbins lookout, park your car, and walk back down the road from which you came. walk down on the other side of the guard rail and it will take you to a secluded mountain drop off point where youre free to enjoy the most amazing view of phoenix you'll ever get. and a perfect place to smoke a beezy and take it all in.
south mountain makes living in AZ cool.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
When someone lands in Phoenix for the first time, we head south from Sky Harbor and drive straight to the top of South Mountain. The view, when the brown cloud thins out a bit, is spectacular and it gives the new visitor a wonderful impression of (a) just how large the metro area is and (b) where major landmarks are in comparison to one another. This is also a spot where newbies enjoy taking photographs and tends to knock their socks off.
During the brief period that the desert blooms, South Mountain is an amazing destination. This is easily one of my favorite places to enjoy the Sonoran. The park puts on guided hikes, allowing the public to look at the petroglyphs up in the mountains. There are also horseback riding options at the Ponderosa Stables.
On Silent Sunday, taking place once each month, cars are not allowed in the park. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and those drawn to other non-motorized wheeled devices are encouraged to use the park as their own, without fear of being squished motorists.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (5)
So I finally made it to the Mormon Trail (off 24th and Baseline).
As others have said, there is little traffic here compared to Camelback mountain and I understand why. There are more trails to choose from, and it's not nearly the challenge Camelback is for instance. But it's a nice alternative if you want to beat the crowd.
It was moderately difficult at some points, but I'm not sure if it was the trail itself that was moderately difficult or the fact that the sun was beating down my neck with no shade to escape and absolutely no breeze whatsoever. The attack of flies probably didn't help either! I don't think you are going to catch a lot of wind any time you're on the outskirts of the mountain looking toward the city so my only sensible suggestion would be to go early early early!
It's dog friendly if you bring enough water. The view of the city is pretty spectacular and it's very deserty. Look out for Gilo Monsters, they like to watch you themselves. :)
I like camelback better but this was 'nice'.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (1)
South Mountain is the nation's largest city park, with over 16,000 acres of untouched desert wilderness. (Note: 3 of the top 5 are actually in Phoenix and Scottsdale). The Central Ave entrance is barely 10 minutes from my place in downtown Phoenix. I've enjoyed the park in a number of different ways.
First, there's an awesome road bike stretch with a smooth, beautifully paved, car-free route along San Juan Road. Not only will you get a great work out as you wind up and down the peaks and lows and around hairpin turns, but during my last few trips I spotted roadrunner, coyote (seriously, the same day I spotted the roadrunner), quail, rabbit, and a rattlesnake.
Second, trails galore for hikers. The National Trail in particular follows the ridgeline of the mountain from west to east and is an uninterrupted 15 mile hike. Completing it is doable in about 7 hours, all without ever leaving civilization and, to the contrary, enjoying spectacular views of central Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tempe on one side, and Ahwatukee and the Gila River Indian Community on the other. Cellphone service is uninterrupted no matter where you are in the park. You lose the serene feeling of being in isolated wilderness, of course, but that's only because of your views of the city. The only noises you'll hear in the park are the wind, the birds, and the occasional rattlesnake 1.4 seconds before it bites your ass. (I kid, I kid. Although, there really are rattlers and you should be careful during their season).
My brother is a mountain biking fanatic and he reports that "SoMo" is among the coolest places he's ever biked. And he lives in British Columbia so he knows what he's talking about.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (6)
I live by it, i hike on it, i look at it, i enjoy it. South mountain is DA SHIT! Largest inner city park in USA. Provides killer views of the city. Shields Ahwatukee from crap. What else does one want?
"I like"
Why 4 stars? Alright, it could be prettier, that is why. Happy now?
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
South Mountain Park is one of the largest City Parks in the country! There is hiking available, mountain biking, some climbing/bouldering, paragliding, etc. If you thought Echo Canyon had a lot of people roaming around, wait until you drive here! It is worth the effort though. Two years ago I watched a storm roll into the Valley with lightning at sunset, would not recommend it, but it was amazing (of course to get a better view I continued hiking up to the ridge!)
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (3)
Since moving to Arizona this fall, I decided that I should be more outdoorsy, especially as AZ boasts to have over 300 days of sunshine a year. My idea of roughing it is staying at a Super 8 Motel, so hiking seems as outdoorsy as my husband can get me right now. So far, we've been to South Mountain Park twice to hike. Now, I won't say that I'm becoming one with nature quite yet, but I actually enjoy myself when we are out hiking!
I like South Mountain Park because there are quite a few trails to pick from, and they range from easy to difficult, so there is something for every level of fitness. We've hiked Beverly Canyon, which is an easy to moderate trail. Nothing super special about it. There is parking at the trailhead (44th Street south of Baseline), although the parking lot is not super big. It was definitely a good first trail to break me in to South Mountain.
On Christmas afternoon, we took our dog and hiked the Mormon Trail. There is a nice size parking lot available at the trailhead (24th Street and Valley View, which is south of Baseline). What we thought was going to be about an hour and twenty-ish minute adventure turned into two and a half hours! So, when you get to the top of the Mormon Trail, there is an option to take the Mormon Loop. But, beware, this is not a loop! Eventually, the Mormon Loop deadends and you have to get on the National Trail for a while until you meet back up with the Mormon Trail. Despite the adventure, it was a great hike and definitely by the end I was sore and tired. The views were nice and I definitely can't believe places exist like South Mountain and Camelback here in a metropolis area like Phoenix. I do prefer the views at Camelback more though.
Next time we go to South Mountain, we are definitely printing out one of the maps so we don't get confused like we did yesterday!
People thought this was:
- Useful (8)
- Cool (2)
In the evening the view from South Mountain's lookout is an amazing, surreal scene -- Much better than that big ol' hole up north... an endless, dreamy sea of lights that completely surrounds you...
I have been taking visitors here for almost 20-years, and it never fails to awe and inspire them. I am surprised at how many people (who live here) have not yet had the pleasure.
It's well worth the drive, and it will give you yet another excuse to dine downtown.
Drive south on Central Ave and bam you're there... The park is open till 10pm.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Definitely one of the best places the valley has to offer. The park itself is so close to everything, yet it is huge. You can get a good hike/workout in and be back home in time to hit the pool.
The layout of the park is pretty easy, and it would be hard to get lost if you are hiking one of the established trails. Having hiked most of the central and eastern sides of south mountain I can unequivocally state that there are trails for all abilities. And your dogs will love it too as long as you keep them out of the jumping chollas.
Watch out for rattle snakes when the weather warms up. I have not seen too many, but they are out there.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
Uh-oh. Where am I?
The view from atop the mountain is superb. The city can be seen in all directions. Look, there's Downtown 1 and Downtown 2. And a bunch of houses under construction. And look at that sky. Wowza.
Ok, so stopping to enjoy the view is one thing. Stopping to figure out where the hell you are is another. "Don't worry," I told my friend. "This city is laid out in a grid. If anything, we can walk down the other side of the mountain and cut back across on the street." Oh, little did I know.
Let me give you the back story. I've been to South Mountain twice. The first time was Christmas Eve 2006 when hardly a soul could be found. I met a friend there and we blazed our own trail. He always had his jeep in sight, so no harm in getting turned around. I trusted him to be my guide.
The second and last time I hiked South Mountain was in February. My best friend flew in to Phoenix for the weekend (for my birthday) and since the weather was so great (in comparison to Detroit), she wanted to be out in the sun as much as possible. No problem. I knew where we could go for a good hike. Little did I know we'd get lost.
We parked at the 24th St. entrance and picked our path, the Mormon Trail. We were on our way to discovering religion, we joked, passing by several other hikers. When we reached a recognizable summit, we stopped to appreciate the view... and then ponder our location. Should we turn around and go back the way we came? Were we still on the Mormon Trail? Where were the markers, the loops, the signs from God? We looked at each other, each of us having a take-no-prisoners personality when it comes to conquering great piles of rock. "Onward!" we shouted, punching the air with our fists.
A little while later, we were once again stopped, our eye squinting against the retiring sun. I wouldn't call us "lost," as this point in time, but that's only because I'm too stubborn to admit such an error. "Let's ask somebody," I suggested. So, the next hiker dude that passed by, we stopped to ask him, "Will this trail loop back around?" "Where do you want to go?" he asked. That's when I realized we had tied our tennis shoes tight only to march into a rocky labyrinth. I told him where we parked and he said it was a good 2 hour hike back to our car, yet about another mile or two to the 48th St. entrance. Oh, no problem, I thought, since the city was laid out like a grid. Little did I know there are exceptions to that.
We pressed on, thanking our impromptu guide friend. We hiked and hiked and hiked, passing by fellow hikers and mountain bikers. Finally, the trail opened up to flat land. We were close, or so we thought. When we reached the end of the trail, there was no parking lot and no street connecting us to where we needed to go. Instead, there was a long gravel road that weaved itself through a golf course. W.T.F.
We set out to walk the long gravel road until we hit Baseline, in which we were determined to cut back Westward and find my car, the only way we had of getting anywhere. The sun was setting. We had no time to waste.
Having hiked about 15 miles already, our feet were heavy, like cinder blocks. But, we continued on. "Let's hitch a ride," I suggested. People were gathering in their wonderful Ford pick-up trucks and jeeps. Hikers are friendly, I thought; somebody was bound to accept our plea for help. We opted to just do this ourselves.
That's when a car slowed down. "Ugh, creep," I thought. Instead, it was our helpful hiker friend from the summit. He asked if we needed a ride. My best friend and I exchanged glances. I thought, "We can take him." After a 70-second long pause, we accepted. She hopped in back and I rode shot gun, leaving my seat-belt off and the door unlocked, in case of a speedy getaway.
We chit chatted on the drive down the road, which lead to another road, and then another and another, until we finally touched Baseline. Where the hell were we? That's when it hit us. We would have been walking another 7 miles on foot back to my car. All these windy, disjointed roads. Damn golf course. Damn South Mountain. Damn unmarked trails. It should change its name to the Moron Trail, for we just blazed it enthusiastically.
The kind hiker man dropped us off at my car and drove away. With a sigh large enough to blanket the skyline, we unlocked my car, got inside and drove away - away from South Mountain, nature's beast and practical joker.
We counted the miles and the minutes it would have taken us to get back to my car. Another hour, at least. The sun would have set by then and we would have missed our dinner engagement. Lucky for us, we stopped the right hiker friend at the right moment; otherwise, I may never have made it home to write this review.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (4)
South Mountain is the place for a hiker to visit when he/she doesn't want to deal with the headaches and the mass of humanity that are Camelback and Piestawa. Granted, there are reasons for their popularity, and no, South Mountain isn't really on their level as far as personal challenge or scenic masterpieces go, but its a very solid alternative for a weekend hike when you know that the line of cars for parking is stretched a mile long in central/north Phoenix.
My gf and I usually hike the Alta trail, which is a progressively steep trail up to the peak, but still a manageable grade in slope that you will never have to use your hands to ascend or descend. It takes about an hour and 15 mins to go up and down the mountain, and the view of SoPho, Downtown, Glendale, and Tempe are killer. Its a great place to snap a few pics of the enormous city below.
Typically, we will run into one or two hikers maximum on this hike, which pretty cool for some solitary reflection. Lately, I've taken up bringing my iPod along, as there is nothing quite like descending the valley into the park amongst massive mountains with Band of Horses or The National narrating your steps musically. Breath taking.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
Whether it's a breathtaking view of the city, a romantic sunset view, or a healthy hike, South Park Park is the place to be. As a visitor from California, the landscaping here is just beautiful. It's free and best of all, even if it's 100 degrees here, because of the low humidity, it feels like high 80s California weather!
I highly recommend coming here for a visit either early in the morning for a healthy cool hike or for a spectacular sunset/city view in the evening. Bring lots of water, a good pair of walking shoes, and sunblock. I highly suggest a GPS and camera, too! :)
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (1)
After living in Flagstaff for 7 years, I guess I became somewhat of a snob of trails. But it's kinda close to my house and the view is decent. Too many people for my style usually. But I did do some trail maintenance on SM with VOAZ which was pretty cool. See pic.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (3)
Do you know what the nation's largest municipal park is? NYCs Central Park you say? Not even close. How about the largest city park in the WORLD? Why, boys and girls, it's right here in Phoenix.
South Mt. Park is a great place to hike. If you've never been you simply must go. Most visitors head to the summit for the views but I prefer following the trails along the washes, where you find lusher vegetation and often wildlife such as rabbits and birds. Oh, and rattlesnakes...
My kids' favorite South Mt. hike is the politically incorrectly-named Fat Man's Pass. To get there, take the Hidden Valley trail on the eastern side of the Buena Vista parking area. After about 1.5 miles of hiking you will come to a sign post, and directly past that you'll see the Pass. True to its name, the passage narrows to about one foot wide at its tightest section. Think of it as a test of just how closely you've stuck to those New Year's resolutions...
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (3)
I finally made it to the top. I live 10-15 min away and appreciate it from here, have referred other folks to check it out, but have never even driven up there until today.
So beautiful! It only takes one or two turns to feel like you are in a whole new place. No more cookie cutter houses. No more liquor stores. No more Walgreen's/CVS on every corner - though I'm sure they're working on it.
We drove straight to the top of the summit peak not too long before sunset. It was originally our plan to stay for sunset, but with the crowd there on a Saturday we decided to save that for a weeknight because we didn't want to deal with those tiny curving "edge of the mountain" roads with 50 other cars.
Even if you aren't up for a hike, just driving up and walking around is really beautiful. Listening to others conversations there were out of towners, university students and folks from about 5 to 85. The view of the valley from there was really amazing. It looks so small and yet so amazingly big all at the same time. Everyone who lives in Phoenix should make the pilgrimage. Especially those who don't quite appreciate it yet. You'll never see another view quite like it.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
The drive up the mountain was narrow and dizzying. Will never go back here again because after the twists and turns of the drive, that are sharp, by the way, I was so dizzy and sick to my stomach. I almost wanted to paraglide back down because I was dreading the drive down the mountain. Mt. Lemmon in Tucson is much better. The views weren't that great either at South Montain. Waste of time. The directions online were confusing too. The road that it tells you to turn on is closed!!!! It is free though, so that was the good part.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
South Mountain rules. I live on Central and Dobbins and can walk from my house down Central to the mountain. There are hundreds of trails from (I've been on them from 48th Street to 59th avenue) and the views are spectacular. It can get a little packed ont he weekends, but not if you know where to go and stay off the main popular trails (Mormon and National)..
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
South Mountain is a great place for a nice hike within the Phoenix metro limits. Remember your location if you are disappointed by the fact that many hikes intersect with roads and that Phoenix is almost always in view. This is one thing Phoenix has done right. A 10-15 minute drive from my apartment and I can observe several types of cacti, and maybe even some desert creatures. There's usually a nice breeze blowing from the peaks, and looking out away from the city gives one gorgeous views of the southern metro farmlands and beyond.
Although I like to take my time hiking, South Mountain gives you the opportunity for a full hike including transit there and back in about two-and-a-half hours. It's a really good introduction to the desert for anyone visiting town, and there are various types of trail suitable to both those in shape and those not so much.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
What a great park. We really enjoyed this mountain area. This was both my boyfriend and my first time in the Phoenix area. We drove up to the summit and loved the views from the top. Neither of us had ever really experienced big cacti up close and personal and really enjoyed hiking around and looking at the beautiful scenery. Now, if we had only been able to find The Farm...we drove around forever looking for this restaurant area...oh well.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
We have been meaning to get around to hiking since moving out here (there aren't many mountains in Tampa or New Orleans you know), and I am proud to say that we finally got around to it this past weekend. We parked at the Pima Canyon area (off 48th Street, I think), and we were immediately concerned that it was going to be like Disney World. My goodness were there a lot of cars! If someone wanted to start a business, they should valet cars at this place. Oh wait, I was coming for exercise.....never mind. Most people here don't mind walking.
Anyway, we did a fairly short but very fun hike on the National Trail (and then we veered up for a strenuous incline - sorry, I am not very good at reading mountain maps, I just know I like the exercise, so I don't know what trail we were technically on). In any event, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Once we were on the trail, we were thrilled to learn that the Disney World crowds were very evenly dispersed throughout the park. We actually felt like we were fairly isolated (but being able to see human life did bring me comfort).
Such a fun and highly recommended activity for a beautiful day in Phoenix!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
South Mountain is absolutely beautiful, with a variety of trails over hills and through washes. Parking is under-abundant and can be problematic.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
A lovely drive up and a fantastic city view from the top of the mountain. Great hiking trails. The visitors center is excellent and even offers a super-easy 1/4 mile "hike" over flat ground to some real petroglyphs carved into the mountain rock a long long long time ago. Great place to go exploring, to get away, and to bring out-of-towners!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
