McDowell Sonoran Preserve spans 12,150 hectares (30,000 acres) of protected desert terrain, with over 190 km (120 mi) of multi-use trails. Five trailheads offering hikes of varying difficulty and length will take you through different regions of the park. Explore the trails by foot, by bike, or on horseback, and you'll see cacti forests, wildlife, and mountain ranges. This huge preserve is geologically diverse, made up of a mixture of 1.7 billion-year-old metamorphic rocks, granite, and volcanic deposits. The preserve provides a safe home to desert plants and animals near an urban environment and connects to Tonto National Forest and McDowell Mountain Regional Park, creating a continuous wildlife corridor. Use our Scottsdale vacation website to add McDowell Sonoran Preserve and other attractions to your Scottsdale vacation plans.
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McDowell Sonoran Preserve reviews
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I hiked two different trails this week and found both of them delightful. They were both rated easy, but yet they were somewhat different. I saw a rattlesnake relaxing under a bush, but he was never..... more »
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Wonderful trail and interesting desert panorama. Hiking trails ranged from easy, about a mile, to strenuous with larger elevation differences and rocky paths more »
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Very convenient trailhead for Scottsdale with lots of parking, bathrooms and water. Multiple loops possible for any fitness level. There is even a half mile smooth path that is wheelchair accessible. Great place to bring kids too, lots of info placards on the short loop to make it fun and educational for them. We did a sunrise hike and the sun coming up over the mountains was beautiful. Sunset is pretty as well, with the mountains glowing purple.
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