When we were living in Phoenix, and one of the things we loved most was how many beautiful spots there were within a short drive to take the kids exploring. We rounded up 10 Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Phoenix and around the valley, plus a bonus peak at the end. They are some of our favourite!
Most of the kid-friendly hikes are short and not too challenging. A couple pick up some real elevation gain, so check the difficulty, distance and kms before you head out. All of them are worth the drive.
Before you go
I am so excited to tell you about a NEW hiking app built for families.
Download the NEW family hiking app TrailCollectiv here. The app has more information and directions to all of these trails.
Hiking with toddlers? Check out these Tips for Hiking with Toddlers.
Heat safety
The best time to hike in Phoenix is from November to end of January. Desert hiking is a different game than what a lot of us grew up with so check out the City of Phoenix. It is a great hiking heat safety resource.
Key points: Go early, before 9 or 10 am if you can, especially between May and September when afternoon heat turns dangerous fast. Carry more water than you think you need, even for pets. Sun hats and sunscreen aren’t optional.
Give cactus, and any snake you spot, plenty of room. The cacti for us were the most dangerous and we may have received a few wounds from cacti while hiking while we were living in Phoenix.
10 Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Phoenix
Hole-in-the-Rock
This one is barely a hike and still delivers. A short, sandy scramble up sandstone boulders in Papago Park leads to a natural rock window that ancient Hohokam people once used to track the seasons. From inside the hole you get a framed view of downtown Phoenix, the beautiful Palm Tree Oasis, and the Papago Buttes.
Insider Tip for Families: It’s about 0.3 miles round trip with 72 feet of elevation gain, so even short legs can do it. The scramble up is a little steep in spots, so hold small hands on the last stretch. It is also very busy but even during Christmas season, we were able to find parking.
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Papago Park, off Galvin Parkway near the Hunt’s Tomb parking area, Phoenix, AZ
On TrailCollectiv: search “Hole-in-the-Rock” for the map and directions.
Little Butte
Tucked into the West Buttes side of Papago Park, Little Butte is a short loop that is mostly flat. If you like you can enjoy exploring the unique a rocky butte. There is a little cave to climb into. This was one of my kids favourite places to explore near our house! It’s a good one for restless kids who want to scramble without committing to a full day out.
Insider Tip for Families: The loop itself is right around a mile with minimal elevation gain and less busy than Hole in the Rock. If your crew has more energy to burn, you can tack on Hole-in-the-Rock and loop over to Big Butte for a longer Papago Park day.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2 km (1.2 mi)
Elevation: 35 m (115 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Little Butte” for the map and directions to the trailhead.
Water Users
Water Users was such a fun, and absolutely gorgeous place to go for an easy hike and day outside. Enjoy an easy, uneven walk to a small rockey beach and fun climbing tree. In the summer, the beach is smaller because they let out the dam. The water moves very fast so use extreme caution and practice water safety. The beach is also smaller and the water can get very busy.
Insider Tip for Families: During the week when it isn’t busy, we had a fire on the beach and cooked our lunch and a s’more snack. Make sure to clean up and practice leave no trace after or the place will no longer be as beautiful.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.1 km (3.2 mi)
Elevation: 243 m (797 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “wind cave” for the map and directions to the trailhead.
The Wind Cave
There is a debate whether this is a true cave or rocky shelter, but regardless, the Wind Cave has a gentle incline up to beautiful views and a unique cave.
Insider Tip for Families: Enjoy lunch in the cave!
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.1 km (3.2 mi)
Elevation: 243 m (797 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “wind cave” for the map and directions to the trailhead.
Fat Man’s Pass via Hidden Valley and Mormon Trail
This is the one our kids would pick every time. Fat Man’s Pass via Hidden Valley and Mormon Trail is such a unique trail that takes you throug a tight squeeze between two rocks and a natural tunnel! Don’t worry, you can go around the tight squeeze if you don’t think you will fit. It is more strenuous for families so expect to have to motivate those little hikers a bunch. The trail climbs into South Mountain Park through classic Sonoran desert terrain, saguaro forests, rocky switchbacks, and wide views back toward the city.
Insider Tip for Families: It is more strenuous for families so expect to have to motivate those little hikers a bunch if you choose to tackle it with them.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.4 km (4.0 mi)
Elevation: 279 m (915 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Fat Man’s Pass” for the map and directions.
EJ Lone Mountain Peak
Lone Mountain, also called EJ Peak, rises out of the desert northeast of the valley with a ridgeline trail that feels bigger than its numbers suggest. The climb is steady rather than technical, and the summit view takes in the Superstitions to the east and the sprawl of the valley to the west.
Insider Tip for Families: There is a geocache at the top to look for so bring along some trinkets to exchange.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.8 km (2.4 mi)
Elevation: 214 m (702 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Lone Mountain” or “EJ Peak” for the map and directions.
Butcher Jones Hike
Butcher Jones traces the shoreline of Saguaro Lake, which means this is the rare desert hike that ends with a swim. The trail rolls along rocky lake bluffs with turquoise water below, and the beach at the trailhead makes it easy to turn a hike into a full afternoon.
Insider Tip for Families: The first part of this trail along the shoreline and through the Mesquite Trees up to the first viewpoint is less than 1 km (1 mile). Do the whole thing or turn around anytime and still get lake views. Pack swimsuits. The beach and picnic area near the trailhead are worth the stop on their own.
Difficulty: Easiest to Moderate
Distance: 1 to 9 km ( .7 miles to 5.6 mi)
Elevation: 10 m to 150 m (32ft to 787 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Butcher Jones” for the map and directions.
Dragonfly Trail
If you are a visitor to the Phoenix area then you MUST add this trail to your list to do. I took my parents here when they were visiting and wish I had taken my sister.
Dragonfly Trail near Cave Creek is a stunning loop through a forest of Saguaro Cacti and takes you past a creek, cottonwood trees, and wildflowers in spring, with enough shade to make it comfortable even later in the morning.
Insider Tip for Families: It’s an easy 1.7 mile loop with only about 100 feet of elevation gain, a good pick for a first desert hike with young kids or when nap schedules mean you need something short and forgiving.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.9 km (1.8 mi)
Elevation: 34 m (112 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Dragonfly Trail” for the map and directions.
Carney Waterfall
Carney waterfall is especially fun after it rains because the waterfall is bigger! The road is very bumpy and that is probably the worst part about accessing this trail but on dry days, most vehicles should manage.
Insider Tip for Families: About halfway up, make sure to check out the short, uneven trail that veers off to a cave. This is a worthy stop if that is all you can do.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 mi)
Elevation: 223 m (732 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Carney Waterfall” for the map and directions.
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail
If you’ve only got a little bit of time and want a view to show for it, Lookout Mountain delivers. It’s short, it’s steep in a few rocky spots near the top, and the 360 degree summit view takes in Piestewa Peak, North Mountain, and the whole sprawl of the city below.
Insider Tip for Families: It’s under a mile round trip with about 470 feet of elevation gain, but the last stretch to the true summit involves some hands on scrambling. Younger kids can turn around at the saddle and still get a great view, while older kids can push for the top.
Difficulty: Moderate (short, but rocky near the summit)
Distance: 1.8 km (1.1 mi)
Elevation: 143 m (469 ft)
On TrailCollectiv: search “Lookout Mountain Summit Trail” for the map and directions.
Phoenix has fast become one of our favourite places in the world to explore. It is absolutely stunning. However many of these you get to, the desert rewards you for showing up early and carrying enough water.
Save this list for your next Phoenix trip, and make sure to pull up TrailCollectiv along the way to keep track of your family adventures and other hikers’ notes on current conditions.
Download TrailCollective here.
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