Phoenix, Arizona

Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak and conveniently located in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is a relatively short hike that yields impressive views of the city and is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Piestewa Peak is a popular spot for locals who do not want to drive or...

As the third longest trail in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the Freedom Trail provides a great option for those looking for a longer hike, which can also be made even a bit longer by bolting on the Piestewa Summit hike along the way (adds 1.2 miles additional and a view from the top!). Many look...

The best starting point to access this hike is parking at the Mojave Picnic Area and heading up the Mojave Trail #200. At .4 miles, you will hit the junction and stating point for the Mojave Connector Trail. Head left at the saddle and begin a rapid ascent up switchbacks to a small flattened summ...

Beginning from the start of the trail on 7th Street, this short hike can be a good quick workout that offers great views of the greater Phoenix area.  Be aware that this hike is a fairly steep climb 600 feet to the top.   Once you reach the summit of North Mountain you'll find great views of the...

The entrance for the Piestewa Peak area is located at 2701 E. Squaw Peak Drive. The Mojave Picnic Area & Trailhead is the first parking area on the right. This is a very popular trail when the outside temps drop a bit so get there early for sunset hikes to ease parking. The trail begins on t...

Ruth Hamilton Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Phoenix, Arizona.

Quartz Ridge in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve (also known as Trail 8A) is a great escape getaway trail that can be done as a single track or combined with many intersecting trails. It is a very popular trail for hikers, trail runners, pet walkers, sky gawkers and more! The trailhead sits in a sm...

The Shaw Butte Trail is a short loop hike that leads you to the top of Shaw Butte in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.  Beginning from the trailhead on Central Avenue, The first section of trail follows a steady uphill service road to the top.  Near the top you'll find an array of towers and a good...

Shadow Mountain Loop is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Phoenix, Arizona.

If you live near or around Phoenix, you know that Camelback Mountain is pretty hard to miss. Due to the mountain's height, this hike isn't exactly what you would call easy. There are two sides of the mountain you can hike, Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail. Echo Canyon is shorter, but still an extreme...

Park at the Echo Canyon Parking Area.From the trailhead, hike up Echo trail until your reach the saddle.  At the saddle, you will turn south and start taking the climbers trail to the headwall, which is just past the sign that says "caution, active bee area."  Once you reach the headwall, there a...

5.6 Sport climb, up an 80 foot face, 9 bolts to the top.  This was the first outdoor climb for myself. It opened the doors to getting out of the gym and becoming a part of the local climbing community. I highly recommend it, as it is not too difficult, and can be done with a group of people.  The...

This challenging hike up the east side of Camelback Mountain has beautiful views of Phoenix and Scottsdale, and is not often crowded. You will begin on switchbacks heading up the mountain, with trail markers to guide you at first. The hike increases in difficulty about 1 mile in, when you reach ...

This trail begins from the parking lot on the west side of Galvin Parkway. To the east of the parking lot is a single track, dirt trail that heads north towards the big buttes. It continues counterclockwise around the big butte and heads south around the smaller butte. It continues west around th...

Papago Park is located right next to the Phoenix Zoo. The park is known for its rock formations and short hiking / running trails. The main attraction, the Hole in the Rock, at the top of the short trail, is a great place to take pictures as it is one of the highest points in the area and it off...

Last year I went to Phoenix for a few days for work.  I googled lots of places to shoot pictures around Phoenix, but the majority of them were in neighboring areas, and I only had an hour or two after work and couldn't drive an hour to a better photography spot.  One place that kept coming up was...