Before we get into hikes we want to remind you to practice the LEAVE NO TRACE principles. Please remember to stay on trail, pack out all trash, and explore prepared. Don’t carve into any rocks. It is illegal! Check out our hiking tips here. This blog focuses on hikes to do just outside of the Phoenix area. We call out hike difficulty levels as well as location, trailhead facilities, and total distance.
Hard Hikes
Dome Mountain
- Parking: If you don’t have the right vehicle or a Tonto NF Off-Highway Vehicle permit you can hike along the road to the trail starting from the parking lot at Bulldog Canyon – Wolverine Gate
- Length: 2.6 miles out and back from the trail turn off and 1,098 ft in elevation gain. 6.15 miles out and back with OHV gate and 1,352 ft in elevation gain
- Pets: We brought our dog Finnick with us on this trail, but it is VERY steep with a lot of Cholla cactus on trail. Please be cautious!
- Restrooms: No
- Trash Cans: No
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Peralta Canyon Trail to Boulder Canyon Point to Point
- Parking: We started from Peralta Trailhead. The parking lot is not very big, but there is overflow parking down the road if needed
- Length: We recorded about 15 miles point to point with over 2,300 ft in elevation gain. This hike is HARD and you will need to arrange for a ride before or after
- Pets: We wouldn’t recommend it for the point to point hike
- Restrooms: Yes, vaulted toilets
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Black Top Mesa
- Parking: This hike starts down First Water road. It is the last parking lot, but it can get full. If full you can park at the overflow lot which is the same parking lot as Hackberry Springs
- Length: 11.5 miles out and back with 1,981 ft in elevation gain. This hike is HARD
- Pets: Allowed on leash
- Restrooms: Yes, vaulted toilets
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail
- Parking: This hike starts in Lost Dutchman State Park! If you’re hiking on the weekend, we recommend getting there early. The parking lots can fill up!
- Hours: Trails 6 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Day Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily
- Length: 5.5 miles out and back with 2,627 ft in elevation gain. This is a VERY challenging route involving multiple scrambles. Please make sure you are prepared for this hike
- Fee: Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10.00
Individual/Bicycle: $3.00 - Pets: Allowed, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you want to summit the mountain
- Restrooms: Yes
- Trash Cans: Yes
Peak 5024 via Siphon Draw Trail
- Parking: This hike starts in Lost Dutchman State Park! If going here on a weekend we recommend getting here early. The lot can fill up!
- Hours: Trails 6 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Day Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily
- Length: We recorded a little over 6 miles out and back with over 2,700 ft in elevation gain. The trail can be hard to follow once past Siphon Draw. Some parts are overgrown. This hike is HARD! Once at the top of Siphon Draw you head to the left instead of hiking to the right where Flat Iron is
- Fee: Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10.00
Individual/Bicycle: $3.00 - Pets: Allowed, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you want to summit the mountain
- Restrooms: Yes
- Trash Cans: Yes
Superstition Ridgeline via Siphon Draw Trail
- Parking: This hike starts in Lost Dutchman State Park! If going here on a weekend we recommend getting here early. The lot can fill up!
- Hours: Trails on the Lost Dutchman Side 6 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Day Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily
- Length: We recorded 12 miles point to point with over 4,444 ft in elevation gain. This hike is HARD and you will need to arrange a ride. We started at Siphon Draw and came down Carney Springs. We had someone pick us up and drive us to our car at Lost Dutchman State Park
- Pets: Allowed, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you want to summit the mountain
- Fee: Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10.00
Individual/Bicycle: $3.00 - Restrooms: Yes
- Trash Cans: Yes
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Check out our full video on this hike here
Pass Mountain Summit
- Parking: The parking is off of Usery Mountain Road and there are not a lot of spots
- Length: 3.5 miles out and back. This trail is VERY steep to get to the summit. This hike is considered hard
- Pets: Allowed, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you want to summit the mountain
- Restrooms: No
- Trash Cans: No
Check out Pass Mountain Summit on AllTrails.
Boulder Canyon to Viewpoint
- Parking: There is some parking near the boat launch, but if that is full there is parking down the street. In order to park down the street you need buy a Tonto National Forest Pass at a kiosk OR there you can use your America The Beautiful Pass
- Length: 5 miles out and back with over 1,000 feet in elevation gain. This trail can be very hard on the feet! This hike is considered hard
- Pets: Dogs allowed on leash
- Restrooms: Yes – down the street (vaulted toilets)
Check our Boulder Canyon Viewpoint on AllTrails
Moderate Hikes
Bluffsprings
- Parking: The parking lot is not huge, but there is overflow parking if needed
- Length: 6.7 miles out and back with over 1,500 ft in elevation gain. It is considered a moderately challenging route
- Pets: Dogs allowed on leash
- Restrooms: Yes, vaulted toilets
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Peralta Trail to Lone Tree
- Parking: The parking lot is not huge, but there is overflow parking if needed
- Length: 5.4 miles out and back with over 1,500 ft in elevation gain. This hike is considered moderately challenging
- Pets: Dogs allowed on leash
- Restrooms: Yes, vaulted toilets
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Butcher Jones
- Parking: Butcher Jones Day Use Area. Parking is limited! We recommend getting there early
- Length: 5.8 miles out and back with over 636 ft in elevation gain
- Pets: Dogs allowed on leash
- Restrooms: Yes, vaulted toilets
- Please leave it better than you found it! There has been a lot of trash left on this trail. Please Leave No Trace
- Here is the link to AllTrails
Treasure Loop To Praying Hands
- Parking: This hike starts in Lost Dutchman State Park! If going here on a weekend we recommend to get here early. The lot can fill up
- Hours: Trails 6 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Day Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily
- Length: 3.5 miles out & back. This hike is considered moderate, but it does get steep towards the end to get to Praying Hands
- Pets: Allowed on trails
- Fee: Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10.00
Individual/Bicycle: $3.00
- Restrooms: Yes
- Trash Cans: Yes
For detailed information check our our blog post on Praying Hands
Jacob’s Crosscut to Treasure Loop
- Parking: This hike is off of a dirt road called First Water. The trail starts at Crosscut Trailhead, the same parking as Massacre Falls. You do not enter the State Park for this hike! There is a dirt road to get to this trailhead
- Length: 3.7 mile loop and is considered a easy to moderate hike
- Pets: Allowed on Trails
- Restrooms: No
- Trash Cans: No
Here is the link to AllTrails.
Black Cross Butte
- Parking: Parking is limited. This hike is past Tortilla Flat of the 88 and is down a dirt road (Forest Service Road 80)
- Length: 3 miles out and back with over 780 ft in elevation gain. This hike is considered moderate!
- Pets: Allowed on Trail
- Restrooms: No
- Trash Cans: No
This trail is very remote and is not a super populated trail. Check out Black Cross Butte on AllTrails
Hackberry Springs Loop
- Parking: Large parking lot at First Water parking. There is a dirt road to get to this trailhead
- Length: 3.7 mile loop. Generally considered a easy to moderate hike
- Pets: Allowed on Trails
- Restrooms: Yes, vaulted toilets
- Trash Cans: No
Check out Hackberry Springs on AllTrails
