Best Backpacking Destinations in Phoenix, United States
1. Camelback Mountain
Renowned for its strenuous hike and panoramic views of the city skyline.
- Challenging Terrain: Offers a challenging trail for experienced backpackers.
- Urban Hiking Experience: Unique blend of desert landscape and urban vistas.
- Sunset Views: Famous for breathtaking sunset views.
2. Piestewa Peak
A popular hiking destination with a summit boasting 360-degree views.
- Summit Views: Offers stunning views of the surrounding city and desert.
- Varied Trails: Features multiple trails catering to different skill levels.
- Evening Hikes: Ideal for evening hikes due to its shaded trail during summer.
3. South Mountain Park and Preserve
The largest municipal park in Phoenix with numerous hiking trails.
- Size and Diversity: Boasts an extensive network of trails for various hiking experiences.
- Historic Sites: Home to several historical sites, including petroglyphs and old mines.
- Eco-Friendly: Promotes eco-friendly hiking with recycling stations and educational programs.
4. McDowell Sonoran Preserve
A massive nature reserve offering a variety of scenic trails.
- Native Plantlife: Home to diverse plant species, including the iconic saguaro cactus.
- Scenic Trails: Provides scenic trails suitable for backpackers of all skill levels.
- Desert Wildlife: Offers opportunities to spot various desert wildlife, such as javelinas and coyotes.
5. Sonoran Desert National Monument
A vast wilderness area showcasing the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
- Wilderness Experience: Offers a genuine wilderness backpacking experience.
- Remote Locations: Features remote locations for solitude-seeking backpackers.
- Stargazing Opportunities: Ideal for stargazing due to minimal light pollution.
6. Superstition Wilderness
A breathtaking wilderness area with mystical legends and scenic trails.
- Legendary Trails: Features trails steeped in Native American and cowboy legends.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers scenic beauty with dramatic canyons, rock formations, and lush washes.
- Wilderness Solitude: Provides solitude for backpackers seeking a remote wilderness experience.
7. Tonto National Forest
The largest national forest in Arizona with numerous hiking trails.
- Size and Diversity: Boasts an extensive network of trails for various hiking experiences.
- Scenic Vistas: Features scenic vistas, waterfalls, and petroglyphs.
- Wildlife Viewing: Offers opportunities to spot wildlife such as elk, deer, and bears.
8. Cave Creek Regional Park
A park with rugged terrain, diverse trails, and historic sites.
- Historic Sites: Home to historical sites like the Spur Cross Ranch.
- Scenic Trails: Provides scenic trails with rugged terrain and desert landscapes.
- Horseback Riding: Allows horseback riding on designated trails.
9. Usery Mountain Regional Park
A park offering easy to moderate hiking trails and desert landscapes.
- Easy to Moderate Trails: Offers a variety of easy to moderately challenging trails.
- Desert Landscapes: Showcases beautiful desert landscapes and rock formations.
- Interpretive Center: Features an interpretive center for educational programs.
10. Lost Dutchman State Park
A state park with hiking trails, camping sites, and historic gold mines.
- Historic Gold Mines: Features the legendary lost Dutchman gold mines.
- Scenic Hiking Trails: Offers scenic hiking trails with diverse terrain and desert landscapes.
- Camping Sites: Provides camping sites for backpackers.
11. Saguaro Lake Ranch
A ranch offering guided hikes, horseback riding, and camping.
- Guided Hikes: Provides guided hikes for backpackers.
- Horseback Riding: Offers horseback riding on scenic trails.
- Camping Sites: Features camping sites for backpackers.
12. Canyon Lake Marina
A marina offering boat tours and access to hiking trails.
- Boat Tours: Offers guided boat tours for scenic views.
- Hiking Trails: Provides access to hiking trails in the surrounding wilderness.
- Camping Sites: Features camping sites for backpackers.
13. Roosevelt Lake
A reservoir offering fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities.
- Fishing and Boating: Offers fishing and boating activities.
- Hiking Trails: Provides access to hiking trails in the surrounding wilderness.
- Camping Sites: Features camping sites for backpackers.
14. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
A state park featuring a massive natural limestone bridge.
- Natural Limestone Bridge: Features the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.
- Hiking Trails: Offers scenic hiking trails with diverse terrain and desert landscapes.
- Camping Sites: Features camping sites for backpackers.
15. Arizona Trail
A long-distance hiking trail covering the diverse landscapes of Arizona.
- Long-Distance Hiking: Offers a long-distance backpacking experience.
- Diverse Landscapes: Features diverse landscapes, including deserts, forests, and mountains.
- Section Hiking: Can be hiked in sections for day trips or overnight backpacking adventures.