Rio Verde, Arizona

Lace up your boots, stock up your gear, bid farewell to civilization and head out to the wild. This adventure is not one for the faint of heart. It will scrape, snag, trip and stumble you. It will scare, taunt and tantalize you. You will need to earn this one, and it is more than worth the effort...

After taking Peralta Road all the way to the end, park your car in the parking lot and you'll see the sign for the trail head. Sign in at the register and then begin our hike on Peralta Trail. This trail winds through the canyon and then takes you up switch backs until you reach the saddle. The ...

This is a difficult hike! Plan on a lot of time and an early start. I did this hike in a clockwise direction (Peralta Trail) which really doesn't matter much but I recommend the direction to get the steepest part of the hike done first. Most people just do an out and back hike to Freemont Saddle ...

From the Peralta Trailhead, start hiking on Bluff Springs Trail. This trail will wind over a few hills past incredible views, and then take you down into a wash. In the wash you will intersect with the Terrapin Trail. Turn left onto the Terrapin Trail, and it will take you out of the wash and pa...

Three Sisters is a huge rock formation in the southern area of the Superstition Mountains.  This spot is only about an hour outside of Phoenix and it's a great spot to do photography in the evening or morning.This is accessed from the Wave Cave parking lot on the way to the nearby Peralta Trailhe...

This is the true beast hike of the Superstitions. If you think Flatiron is a toughy, give this a whirl! You will be poked, prodded, slapped, smacked, jolted, tripped and stabbed the entire way, but rewarded with arguably the finest sights the valley of the sun has to offer: the entire Superstitio...

To get to the trailhead, use the turnoff of highway 87 labeled Barnhardt trail (has a marked sign coming from both Payson and Phoenix). Barnhardt road is just over 4 miles and is unpaved. The road can be driven on by lower clearance cars because the terrain is not too rocky. Once at the trailhead...

From the trail-head you will follow the old and wide dirt road for a while until you reach the wilderness fence line. It's easy to get lost. When you reach the fence there's an area to go through. It's difficult to see. Make sure you look closely. DO NOT follow the signs that say "trail". Once yo...

This is a great spot to go for a quick run or a short hike if you're in North Phoenix.  Thunderbird park is easily accessible with free entry and a number of picnic areas.There are 3 main hills with a variety of trail options to hike up/around each.  From the top you'll find a nice view of valley...

This is somewhat of a hidden gem in South Mountain Park, the largest municipal park in the United States, even though it's right there for all to see. The best way to take advantage of this trail is to attack the ridgeline with an intense hiking pace or trail run, connecting it to the National Tr...

Pueblo La Plata is the largest ancient Indian ruin in Agua Fria National Monument and dates back to before 1200 A.D. The ruin at one time had 80 to 90 rooms for living quarters. Now the sight seems like just a pile of rubble. However there is significant research continuing on the mesa of Agua Fr...

This is a great spot for an afternoon hike near Phoenix. There are some beautiful rock formations, nice trails, and pretty stunning views of the city and desert beyond. It's open year round and is dog friendly so if you've got a pup, definitely bring it along. It gets super hot in the summer and ...

Hidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Phoenix, Arizona.

Acer Summit Via Mormon Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Phoenix, Arizona.

Explore two remarkably preserved American Indian cliff dwellings that date back to the 13th century. Set within a shelter bluff on the side of steep cliffs, the Upper and Lower Cliff Dwellings are well protected, and have great views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. If you get to the park early...

Dobbins lookout is a popular high point in South Mountain Park that offers views of the entire Phoenix area.  It's accessible by road or by trail with no entry fee.  Consider going in the evening for the best views.If you plan to hike to the top, the shortest route is the Holbert trail.  Take a l...