Parks & Nature in Phoenix
3 places · Natural escapes in the DMV
Phoenix, AZ
Piestewa Peak
A 2,610-foot peak in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve offering one of the most popular summit hikes in the metro area. The Summit Trail (Trail 300) is a 1.2-mile ascent with panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape and mountain ranges. The rocky trail and summit provide excellent vantage points for sunrise and sunset photography.
Phoenix, AZ
Papago Park
A desert park featuring iconic red sandstone buttes, including the famous Hole-in-the-Rock formation. The park sits between Phoenix and Tempe and contains the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo. Hole-in-the-Rock provides a natural frame for sunset and cityscape photography.
Phoenix, AZ
South Mountain Park and Preserve
One of the largest municipally managed parks in the United States at over 16,000 acres. Dobbins Lookout, the highest accessible point at 2,330 feet, provides sweeping views of downtown Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun. The park contains petroglyphs, desert washes, and dense saguaro forests along its many trails.