92 FUN & GAMES SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2025.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2025 quarter-mile of the way back; steep, tall steps up will get your heart pumping and your cheeks flushing. You’ll be happy when you get back to the trailhead and spot your vehicle. e e e B E S T 3 6 0 - D E G R E E V I E W O F T H E S U P E R S T I T I O N S THREE SISTERS SUMMIT TRAIL 10901-10947, FOREST SERVICE ROAD 77, GOLD CANYON 602-225-5200 FS.USDA.GOV/R03/TONTO The hike is strenuous, but worth it. With little shade and plenty of scrambles, the Three Sisters Summit Trail is best accom- plished with friends and a good amount of water. We suggest base camping at the bottom to give you an entire day to tackle the seven-mile out-and-back adventure that includes some scrambles and a few moments where you begin to lose sight of the trail (but isn’t that the fun part?). Once at the top, the peak grants you a rewarding view of the Superstition wilderness and other popular surrounding peaks. It’s a great photo op at any time, but especially in the springtime to see cactus blossoms and other flora in full bloom. Be advised that the elevation gain is 2,810 feet of full sun exposure; on this trail, a hat is your best friend. e e e B E S T P I C N I C H I K E LONE TREE VIA PERALTA CANYON TRAIL PERALTA ROAD, GOLD CANYON FS.USDA.GOV/R03/TONTO/RECREATION There are only roughly four months out of the year where you can enjoy a hike or picnic in Phoenix, and with all the other events in town crammed into those fleeting weekends, you might want to embark on a two-for-one picnic/hike combo. While you’ll be saving on time, there’s no skimping out on gorgeous views during this 5.4-mile, out-and-back trail near Gold Canyon. The name can be attrib- uted to the single pine tree at the end of the trail, appearing alien against the rocky, dry backdrop. In order to find it, you can’t be tempted to follow the crowd. You might feel tired once you reach Fremont Saddle near the end of the trail, but the most rewarding views are less than a half mile away. Make a right and go over the massive boulders to enjoy your lunch near the tree. Any variation of picnic food tastes better with a scenic backdrop of Battleship Mountain, Weavers Needle, Black Mesa and Canyon Lake. e e e B E S T ‘ H I D D E N ’ T R A I L MORMON TRAIL TO HIDDEN VALLEY 8610 S. 24TH ST. 602-262-7393 The National Trail is a busy route that runs the entirety of South Mountain. Now, if you’re savvy enough to take the Mormon Trail, you’ll be rewarded with a visit to somewhere truly special: Hidden Valley. As its name suggests, Hidden Valley is a pristine spot tucked away from the crowds which stands alone in comparison to the rest of the vast National Trail. Featuring the Fat Man’s Pass rock formation, a naturally occurring walk tunnel and a wash packed with local wildlife, Hidden Valley is a veritable slice of magic somehow snuck in by a kindly mountain wizard. It’s proof of the sheer beauty abounding Phoenix. That, and the path to Hidden Valley itself is low-stakes enough (it’s thrilling but not outright challenging) so that you can share your travels with others. So slap on those boots and go find yourself a little slice of true natural magic. e e e B E S T P L A C E T O S E E S A G U A R O C A C T U S E S MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK 16300 E. MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PARK DRIVE, FORT MCDOWELL 480-471-0173 MARICOPACOUNTYPARKS.NET Thanks to McDowell Mountain Regional Park, you don’t have to traipse through someone’s yard to enjoy majestic saguaros. Located just north of Fort McDowell off the 87, the park dates back to 1958, and at some 21,000 acres is the largest in the Maricopa County parks system. That means miles of walking paths and trails to enjoy some of the grandest saguaros and other cactuses up close (just don’t touch, dummy). Maybe it’s the big, wide open skies adding to the splendor of this pristine desert wonderland. Or the fact that given the park’s sheer size, you can see the robust diversity of saguaros at various heights and ages. Either way, McDowell Mountain Regional Park isn’t just great for gawking at these gorgeous giants, but serves as a reminder of the singular beauty of the upper desert. It’s as harrowing as it is beautiful, and in that space we’re reminded of what life is really like out here. Now, give these many-armed cactuses a round of applause. e e e B E S T P L A C E T O R E C O N N E C T W I T H N A T U R E SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK AND PRESERVE 10211 S. CENTRAL AVE. 602-262-7393 PHOENIX.GOV This place has been giving Phoenicians room to breathe for over a century. And it’s still the easiest way to escape the sprawl without ever leaving the city. Reaching across more than 16,000 acres and packed with more than 100 miles of trails, South Mountain Park and Preserve ranks among the largest city parks in the country. Climbers, moun- tain bikers, horseback riders and casual hikers can all find what they’re looking for here. And unlike Camelback Mountain, you won’t circle the lot like a vulture waiting for a parking spot. From its ridgeline trails, you’ll see the Valley spread in every direction: downtown’s skyline, the McDowell Moun- tains and even the Superstitions on a clear day. Whether you’re grinding up National Trail or coasting along Desert Classic, the sheer scale, serenity and sweeping desert vistas make South Mountain Phoenix’s best spot to unplug and reconnect with nature while simultaneously racking up Strava kudos. e e e B E S T H I K E W I T H A WA T E R V I E W BUTCHER JONES TRAIL BUTCHER JONES RECREATION SITE 3 E. BUTCHER JONES BEACH ROAD, FORT MCDOWELL 602-225-5200 FS.USDA.GOV/RECAREA/TONTO We love a hiking trail that gives us an awe- inspiring view of the city, and we’ve got plenty of them in the Valley. But for some- thing different, we head just north of the city to Butcher Jones Recreation Site. The trail that begins at the parking lot is about five miles out and back, and it’s not technically difficult, which makes it easy for us to focus less on our footing and more on the stunning views of Saguaro Lake, which become more impressive as you ascend the cliffs that line the water. A little more than halfway to the turnaround point, you’ll see a sign for a little path that takes you down to the shoreline; it’s a nice detour and we love to dip our toes in the lake on warm days. Speaking of the turn- around point, it’s called Burro Cove and it offers sweeping views of Four Peaks and the surrounding areas. A walk on the little beach next to the parking lot is a great way to end your hike. e e e B E S T S T A I R S VICTORY STEPS AT VERRADO N. VERRADO WAY, BUCKEYE FACEBOOK.COM/VICTORYSTAIRS So, you need to get your steps in? Doing so outside and aligning yourself with nature can feel pretty good. The Victory Steps at Verrado are the ones you want to hit when you want some uphill motion to get that heart rate rising. These are approximately 330 stairs made of railroad ties that go straight up the mountain. They are some- what steep and not your go-to destination if you’ve just started hiking. Once you make it to the top, there’s a small loop trail that allows you to catch your breath and continue your hike. If you like dad jokes, you might call that part of the trail your “victory” lap. This is not a shaded area, so plan accordingly. Bring your water, but leave your pup at home; no dogs are allowed on the stairs.
