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Top 10 Places for the Early Bird to Catch the Best Sunrise Views in Phoenix

Don’t you just love sunrises and their magical way of waking up your soul? Here in Phoenix, you can catch this beautiful view almost every day. 

Phoenix might be known for its scorching afternoons, but trust me, the city also boasts some seriously breathtaking sunrises. This guide has you covered! 

I’ll share some of the best-hidden gems and popular viewpoints to witness the Phoenix sunrise in all its glory. Let’s explore the top locations in Phoenix where early birds can snag the best sunrise views.

1. South Mountain

Website: http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/index.html

Address: 10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042, United States

Contact details: +16024955458

Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

South Mountain Park, also known as “Phoenix’s Mountain Backyard,” covers over 16,000 acres and features a network of trails that wind through the desert landscape, offering spectacular views of the surrounding area. 

One of the park’s most unique attractions is witnessing a stunning sunrise. The sun rises over the distant eastern mountains, creating a breathtaking display of colors across the desert sky.

Pro tip:
Hike to Dobbins Lookout, the highest accessible point within South Mountain Park. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise for the most spectacular sunrise views. 

2. Hole in the Rock

Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park

Address: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, United States

Contact details: +16024955458

Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Hole in the Rock in Phoenix’s Papago Park offers breathtaking sunrise views from its top, accentuated by the natural opening in the sandstone butte. 

Between 450 and 1450 CE, the Hohokam people used it as a calendar to mark the summer and winter solstices. The marked boulders inside the hole helped the tribe schedule agricultural activities based on the sun’s position throughout the year.

Pro tip:
Arrive early! This is a popular spot, especially for photographers, so getting there early will ensure you can snag a good place to enjoy the view.

3. Camelback Mountain

Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback-mountain

Address: 6131 Phoenix, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, United States

Contact details: +16025345867

Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Camelback Mountain in Phoenix offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city at sunrise, rewarding hikers who reach its summit. The mountain features two main trails, Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail.

The trail also has a diverse landscape, with lush vegetation and towering cacti at the lower part and exposed granite rock faces at the upper part, adding to its intrigue.

Pro tip:
Be sure to arrive early, especially during the busy season, to secure a parking spot and avoid the crowds on the trail. Take a moment at the summit to soak in the panoramic views and capture the breathtaking sunrise scenery.

4. Lost Dutchman State Park

Website: https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman

Address: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, United States

Contact details: +14809824485

Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Lost Dutchman State Park offers breathtaking desert landscapes and a rich history of lost gold mines. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding trails, rock climbing, and capturing stunning views of the Sonoran Desert.

A unique attraction of the park is the legend of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, linked to an immigrant named Jacob Waltz. The mysterious location of the mine, lost after Waltz’s death, continues to draw countless fortune hunters searching for the elusive treasure.

Pro tip:
Hike to the top of Flatiron, a prominent peak in the Superstition Mountains.  The hike is challenging, but the views from the top are truly unforgettable.

5. Airport Mesa

Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=71905

Address: 483 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States

Contact details: +19282032900

Operating hours: 24/7

Airport Mesa in Sedona offers a breathtaking sunrise view. A short, scenic hike to the summit takes you to the overlook, where you can enjoy a panoramic vista of Sedona’s iconic red rock formations and a 360-degree view of the entire landscape. 

You’ll be treated to a panoramic vista of Sedona’s iconic red rock formations, including Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Courthouse Butte.  These ancient sandstone giants come alive with color as the first rays of sunlight hit them, creating a truly unforgettable scene.

Pro tip:
Because of the limited parking and the popularity of the sunrise view, it’s important to arrive early. Plan to get there at least an hour before sunrise to snag a good spot.

6. Grand Canyon’s Mather and Yaki Points

Website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Address: Arizona, United States

Contact details: +19286387888

Operating hours: 24/7

Mather Point and Yaki Point are breathtaking viewpoints on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Mather Point is easily accessible to visitors of all ages and fitness levels.

Yaki Point, on the other hand, requires a ride on the free Kaibab Rim Route shuttle bus to reach. This location offers a more secluded and intimate experience, with a slightly different perspective of the canyon rock formations and the Colorado River.

Pro tip:
Aim to arrive at least an hour before sunrise. Sunrise is a popular time to visit the Grand Canyon, so coming early will help you beat the crowds and ensure a good viewing position.

7. Lookout Mountain Preserve

Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/lookout-shadow-mountain

Address: 15800 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85022, United States

Contact details: +16022627901

Operating hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Lookout Mountain Preserve offers a moderate 1.5-mile round-trip hike with a 400-foot elevation gain, suitable for hikers of most fitness levels. 

The summit provides an unobstructed 360-degree view of the Phoenix cityscape, McDowell Mountains, and the White Tank Mountains. Hikers can experience the diverse wildlife of the Sonoran Desert, including saguaro cacti, coyotes, and javelinas. 

Pro tip:
Lookout Mountain is a popular spot for sunrise chasers, and parking can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise to secure a parking spot and snag a good viewing location.

8. Piestewa Peak

Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/piestewa-peak/hiking-trail-map

Address: 2701 Piestewa Peak Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85016, United States

Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Piestewa Peak in Phoenix offers unparalleled sunrise views from the summit, making it a popular hiking destination. The challenging 1.8-mile trail gains over 1,000 feet in elevation, requiring sturdy shoes and plenty of water, but the payoff at the top is worth it.

At the summit, hikers enjoy a sense of community. They often gather to watch the sunrise and hear local musicians playing flutes or drums, adding to the spiritual experience. This unique camaraderie adds to the special appeal of hiking Piestewa Peak.

Pro tip:
While the views from the summit are the main attraction, be sure to take some time to appreciate the desert flora and fauna along the way. You might spot saguaro cacti, prickly pear cactus, birds, and other wildlife.

9. McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Website: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve

Address: Saguaro Loop Trail, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, United States

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the largest urban preserve in the United States, encompassing over 30,000 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape. It offers various trails suitable for hikers of all experience levels.

The preserve’s proximity to the Phoenix metropolitan area allows visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The McDowell Mountains dominate the landscape and are stunning during sunrise when the desert is bathed in vibrant colors.

Pro tip:
Hike to the summit of Sunrise Peak for the most incredible sunrise views in the entire Phoenix area. The moderate 2-mile trail offers stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and the view from the top is truly unforgettable.

10. Cholla Trail

Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback-mountain

Address: 5150 N Invergordon Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, United States

The Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, is a challenging 3-mile out-and-back path with loose rock sections and boulder scrambling. Despite the difficulty, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking sunrise views from the summit.

Compared to the popular Echo Canyon Trail, the Cholla Trail offers a unique east-facing perspective for an unobstructed sunrise view. As the sun rises, it paints the desert landscape in orange, pink, and purple hues, creating a magical experience for hikers.

Pro tip:
Be prepared for the hike with proper footwear, plenty of water, and a headlamp or flashlight for the initial climb in the dark. You can see the entire Phoenix metropolitan area sprawled out beneath you from this vantage point.
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