Things to do nearMcDowell Mountains

The McDowell Mountains form the backbone of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, one of the largest urban preserves in the United States. The range's granite peaks, some reaching above 4,000 feet, have shaped the character of north Scottsdale for centuries, providing shelter and resources for the Hohokam people long before the city took shape below. That deep history is still visible in the land itself, in the worn granite and the desert plant communities that have adapted to its thin soils.

Today the preserve laces more than 225 miles of trails through the McDowell Mountains, drawing hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers year-round. The Gateway Loop and Tom's Thumb trails are perennial favorites, the latter climbing to a striking rock formation with panoramic views of the Phoenix metro. Guided hikes are available for those who want a ranger or naturalist to put the ecology and geology into context.

The Sonoran Desert ecosystem here is unusually rich. Dense stands of saguaro, palo verde, and cholla define the lower slopes, while higher elevations open into boulder fields scattered with native wildflowers in spring. Birders find the area particularly rewarding, with raptors riding thermals above the ridgelines most mornings.

After a day in the mountains, the cultural offerings of Old Town Scottsdale are a short drive south, making the McDowell Mountains an ideal anchor for a broader Arizona itinerary. Few places in the Southwest put genuine wilderness this close to a world-class city.