mcdowell sonoran preserve

We had a picture perfect Arizona day and hikers were out to take advantage. The reserve is large enough and some of the trails long enough that you can get away from the humanity even on such a popular day. We hiked the Gateway Loop and it's a good quality hike for those used to hiking, those who don't want to take all day to do it and want to deserve that margarita at the end of the trail. We are out of town visitors, but will be back the next time we are in town. As always, water and sun block are a must. Half way up and half way down, a ridge, nice vistas and a mixture of rocks and gravel to keep you focused.

Not too taxing, but a good place to slowly rise above the city & look around. All the desert has to offer in cactus and other plant life. Lizards and birds are also on the trails. As always - bring plenty of water and be prepared to walk over some loose ground and rocks.

It's a beautiful place to hike. The trails are very well marked so we have not been concerned about getting lost.

so many classes of trails to choose from , that you have to go back. Numerous multi use trails for bikes or families

Our trail of choice is Lost Dog Wash. We always feel really safe while hiking. Everyone you meet is friendly, feels like a community of hikers. Trails are not too rigorous, they range in length from 2 mile gentle loops to I suppose 100+ miles as the preserve goes north for a long long way.

Offers many hiking trails through the desert terrain for all levels of hikers. A unique experience for someone who never spent time in a desert environment.

Hiked yesterday 3.3 miles RT on the Granite Trail, taking photos all along the way. Take Dynamite off Pima out to 136th St, turn left And drive another 2 miles. Marked parking lot is on your left. Easy dirt trails amongst granite boulders. The best part besides the views was that the spring wild flowers were starting to bloom! There are no facilities. What a walk!

We were looking for a nice spot to take our dog hiking while on vacation in Scottsdale. We found the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and gave it a try. The trail we travelled had a moderate incline and were fairly flat and well maintained, if we had more time we would have enjoyed exploring the trails further as there seemed to be lots of options to choose from for longer hikes. The views were great and it gave us a nice opportunity to see lots of local cactus and flora!The only down side was that this seems to be a very popular spot and was quite busy. We generally like to go places that are a little more off the beaten path where you don't run in to lots of people on the trail. Definitely worth checking out though to get a taste of the desert!

Both trails are scenic & challenging. Lost Dog is shorter with a view of Frank Lloyd Wright's artist colony at the precipice. Gateway is a loop & much longer & steeper especially if you go clockwise. It has great views of Scottsdale & Camelback Mtn. Short drives from Scottsdale & plenty of parking.

There are plenty of places to hike in the greater Scottsdale, but none like this. We are in our 60's and look forward to hiking the Gateway paths every year when we visit. There are easy to moderate. Well marked and just plain beautiful and fun to hike. The hiking paths takes you through beautiful area's for desert area's.

This preserve, run by the City of Scottsdale, is a wonderful introduction to the natural Sonoran habitat. The facilities, trails, maps and stewards are top notch. The effort and investment that goes into the creation and maintenance of this park is impressive. The trails are well marked and rated. There is something for everyone, no matter your fitness level of stamina. You can hike for minutes or hours, out and back or loop options, with or without urban views. And the proximity to virtually any part of the city (minutes from the 101) make it easy to get to, even by bike. Sunrise trail is a favorite hike (from the southern entry point trailheads - Lost Dog Wash and Sunrise). This is a moderate hike with good elevation and views. From end to end takes about 2.5 hours (note that you will need to shuttle between the trailheads or leave 2 cars) but out and back from the Lost Dog Trailhead to Sunrise peak is also good option. Trails from the main Gateway entrance start quite easy and get more difficult as you gain altitude. The Northern region at Brown's Ranch presents more ambulatory trails with not much altitude gain, but certainly less crowded as well. I'm told that more trails will be cut in the next year which only increases the appeal. Any which section you use, the natural environment within the preserve is just beautiful and peaceful. A true taste of the wild southwest.

We chose the North Trail (relatively new so it's not older maps of the preserve) and thoroughly enjoyed the 3 mile round trip. Flat with soft sand to walk on (and no big rocks to scramble over) it was perfect for those of us with bum knees. There are plenty of benches (often placed in the shade of a tree) for those who may need a rest. Numbered markers placed along the route correspond to the numbers listed in a small handout. If you stop and read you can learn some interesting things about the plants and animals around you. And don't forget to turn around occasionally - some of the best views of the mountains are behind you.

We did a quick circuit near the Gateway. On weekends, this is very popular with the community and dog-hikers (who sadly leave their poo bags for later pickup along the main trail). The volunteers are very enthusiastic and honest about their knowledge. Once you get off the main trail - things get much quieter. I suspect the other trailheads are also much quieter. Just expect to see a LOT of people on a Saturday / Sunday in winter in Scottdale.

Nice area for hiking. Also a short 1/2 mile path into the desert for those not up to a more strenuous hike. Path has markers pointing out various fauna and plants. Starting point has water, nice clean restrooms, benches, and shade under a cover. Dogs on leash allowed. Plenty of parking. Take a hat and water

My husband and I walked about 3 miles of trails. It gave us a wonderful opportunity to see the desert and surrounding mountains up close. The trails are well marked, there are clean restrooms at the parking area. Rangers are available to talk with and we were able to see several scorpions at a table they had set up. Go early, it gets warm, even in February. We are not experienced hikers but the trail was easy for us. There are more advanced trails as well. It's free to hike and gets quite busy on a Saturday. It was just 20 minutes from where we stayed.