Maricopa County

Program Guides and Itinerary

Park Program Guides

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GOT TIME...

Maricopa County's regional park system attracts thousands of visitors each year. With over 120,000 acres in the park system, there is plenty to see and explore. However, sometimes visiting a new place can be a little overwhelming when you don’t know what’s available. To make sure your visit to McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a pleasant experience, we’ve pulled together a couple of basic itineraries to get you started on your journey.

Hiking Options:
1 Hour Option

North Trail Loop- 2.9 miles (loop)

Trail(s) included

North Trail

Description

Start at North Trail Trailhead. Circle the North Trail loop back to the trailhead.

Total miles

2.9 miles

Time estimate 45 mins to 1 hour
2 Hour Option Scenic Loop
Trail(s) included Scenic, Pemberton
Description Start at the Trailhead Staging Area. Take the Pemberton to the Scenic. Make first Right onto Scenic to take loop counter-clockwise, or second right to take loop clockwise.
Total miles 4.5 miles
Time estimate 1 1/2- 2 hours
3 Hour Option Wagner / Granite / Bluff Loop
Trail(s) included Wagner, Granite, Bluff
Description Start at Wagner Trailhead (in Campground Loop). Take Wagner and make right on Granite. Take Left onto Bluff. Take Left onto Granite and then Right onto Wagner back to the trailhead.
Total miles 5.8 miles
Time estimate Time estimate
3 1/2 Hour Option Dixie Mine Trail
Trail(s) included Dixie Mine Trail
Description Start at the parking lot at the end of Golden Eagle Blvd., in Fountain Hills. Walk through gated community gate and take path 1/4 mile to the Dixie Mine Trailhead. Take Dixie Mine to the service road, then the Dixie Mine spur, to the Dixie Mine itself. Return via same route.
Total miles 5.6 miles
Time estimate 3 1/2 to 4 hours
4 Hour Option Wagner / Granite / Delsie / Pemberton / Bluff Loop
Trail(s) included Wagner, Granite, Delsie, Pemberton, Bluff
Description Start at Wagner Trailhead (in Campground Loop). Take Wagner to Granite; turn right on Granite. Take Granite to Delsie; turn right on Delsie. Take Delsie to Pemberton; turn left on Pemberton. Take Pemberton to Bluff; turn left on Bluff. Take Bluff to SECOND intersection of Granite; turn left on Granite. Take Granite to Wagner; turn right on Wagner. Take Wagner to return to Trailhead.
Total miles 10 miles
Time estimate 4 to 4 1/2 Hours
Biking Options:
1/2 Hour Option Sport Loop
Trail(s) included Sport Loop in the Competitive Track
Description Start at the Competitive Track. Ride Sport Loop.
Total miles 3 miles
Time estimate 30 minutes
1 Hour Option Wagner to Granite to Bluff
Trail(s) included Wagner, Granite, Bluff
Description Start at the Wagner Trailhead in the Campground. Take Wagner to Granite. Make Right on Granite. Take a Left on Bluff and then Left onto Granite and a Right to return back to the Trailhead on Wagner.
Total miles 5.8 miles
Time estimate 45 mins to 1 hour
1 1/2 Hour Option Wagner / Granite / Delsie / Pemberton / Lariat / Granite / Wagner Trail Loop- 12.3miles
Trail(s) included Wagner, Granite, Delsie, Pemberton, Lariat, Granite, Wagner
Description Start at the Wagner Trailhead in the Campground. Take Wagner to Granite. Make a Right on Granite. Make a slight left onto Delsie. Make right onto Pemberton, then right onto Lariat, then left on Granite and left again to return on Wagner to the Trailhead.
Total miles 12.3 miles
Time estimate 1 to 1 1/2 hours
2 Hour Option Sport to Technical to Long Loop
Trail(s) included Sport Loop, Technical Loop, Long Loop
Description Following arrow direction on map, take the Sport Loop to the Technical Loop to the Long Loop on the Competitive Track.
Total miles 11.25 miles
Time estimate 2 hours
3 Hour Option* Pemberton / Dixie Mine / Prospector / Bell Pass / Windmill / Coachwhip / Pemberton Loop
Trail(s) included Pemberton, Dixie Mine, Prospector, Bell Pass, Windmill, Coachwhip, Pemberton
Description Start at the Trailhead Staging Area. Take the Pemberton Trail on the South side of the parking lot to Dixie Mine Trail. Take left on Dixie Mine. Take right onto Prospector. Make right onto Bell Pass. Then make a right onto Windmill, then right on Coachwhip, and lastly, take a right onto Pemberton to return to the Trailhead Staging Area.
Total miles approx 23 miles
Time estimate 3 to 3 1/2 hours

* Note- this Option includes trails outside of McDowell Mountain Regional Park, in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Phone: 602-506-2930

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