McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Arizona’s beautiful Sonoran Desert is a great place for nature lovers and people who like to go on outdoor adventures. 

The park itself is a large area of rough mountains where you’ll find a wide range of plants and animals, as well as the most scenic views. And, there are a ton of fun things to do, too– from hiking and mountain biking to camping and more.

Below, we give you the 411 on its history, how to get there, what to see, what to do, and everything else you’d need to know before visiting.

Where is McDowell Mountain?

McDowell Mountain is located in Maricopa County. It’s near the town of Fountain Hills, about 25 miles northeast of the center of Phoenix.

How far you have to drive depends on where you’re coming from and what route you’ll take. Depending on traffic, it generally takes between 30 and 40 minutes to drive from the city center to the park.

How many acres is McDowell Mountain Regional Park?

McDowell Mountain Regional Park covers an area of approximately 21,099 acres. While not the largest regional park, it definitely provides ample space for various recreational activities and preserving significant natural and cultural resources.

How were the McDowell Mountains formed?

The McDowell mountains were formed by tectonic forces that moved the Earth’s surface. The area is in the Basin and Range Province, which is a geologically active place where the Earth’s surface is stretching and cracking.

These mountains’ iconic rugged peaks are believed to be sculpted over millions of years ago, holding the secrets of a remarkable geological history.

As the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate moved past each other, tensional forces caused the crust to stretch and thin, which led to the formation of fault lines and the rise of mountain ranges.

Approximately 25 to 30 million years ago, several volcanic outbursts occurred that sent lava, ash, and pyroclastic material into the air. These changes from subduction to extensional tectonics in the area caused the mountain range to grow and change.

As the land began to rise and volcanoes started to erupt, water, wind, and ice started to wear away at the environment. Rivers and streams cut deep canyons, and wind and rain slowly wore away at the volcanic rocks, revealing the granite intrusions underneath.

Today, the McDowell Mountains stand tall, inviting adventurers and nature lovers to explore their beautiful views.

How high are the McDowell Mountains?

The McDowell Mountains have varying peak elevations throughout the range. The highest peak, Thompson Peak, is about 3,960 feet (1,207 meters) above sea level.

What is on top of the McDowell Mountains?

The top of the McDowell Mountains are home to a variety of desert plants  and views of panoramic vistas around. You can see a mix of cactus-covered slopes, rolling hills, and faraway mountain ranges.

A few desert plants you’ll find on top of the mountains are saguaro cacti and ocotillo plants. These hardy desert dwellers have learned to live in the dry conditions, showing how beautiful and strong the Sonoran Desert is.

Wildlife is a common sight, too, within the mountaintops.You’ll often find desert bighorn sheep, songbirds, and a few common rattlesnakes you might encounter on other Phoenix hikes such as Camelback Mountain (camelback mountain everything you wanted to know & review)  and Papago Park (papago park everything you ever wanted to know). 

Every now and then, travelers also report hearing and spotting a few coyotes in the area.

Upon nightfall, the park makes for a great place for stargazers and science enthusiast to visit. It’s far away from the bright city lights and offers visitors a spectacular view of the night sky.

What is the history of McDowell Mountain Regional Park?

The McDowell Mountain Regional Park’s history traces back to the Hohokam tribe, to the journeys of Spanish explorers, up to the setting up of the mountain preserve.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the land and its inhabitants. From ancient Native American cultures to Spanish explorers, the park has evolved into a cherished sanctuary of natural and cultural heritage.

The Hohokam tribe (why was phoenix founded) are believed to have lived in the area from about 1000 to 1450 AD, long before Europeans came to live there.

They carved their existence into the desert landscape, leaving behind pottery fragments, petroglyphs, and the remnants of intricate canal systems.

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers went on journeys all over the Southwest in search of mythical riches and new lands. One of them was Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.

On his way to find the Seven Cities of Cibola, he went through the McDowell Mountain area. Even though they didn’t set up permanent settlements, the Spanish presence in the area set the stage for European impact.

As the United States moved west, farming and homesteading became more popular in the McDowell Mountain area. By the end of the 19th century, the land was where the McDowell and Henshaw families built their homesteads. 

These early settlers were not afraid of the harsh desert climate. They built ranches and farmed the dry soil, and their work changed the environment and laid the groundwork for further growth.

Come 1962, the Maricopa County Parks Department set up the McDowell Mountain Preserve to protect the unique environment of the desert. The preserve included the area that is now a regional park, and it was the start of a serious effort to protect wildlife.

This event marked the change from a landscape that was shaped by people to one that tried to protect the McDowell Mountains’ natural beauty and historical importance.

In 1994, the McDowell Mountain Preserve became McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department is in charge of running the park. 

The park was built to give people a place to play outside while protecting the area’s valuable natural and cultural resources. Over the years, the park has grown and offers people many fun things to do, such as camping, hiking, and more.

Who is McDowell Mountain named after?

McDowell Mountain is named after Major John McDowell, an early pioneer and settler in the region. He established a homestead in the area near the present-day park and played a significant role in the development of the surrounding region. 

Things to Do at McDowell Mountain Regional Park

There are many outdoor activities one can do at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The most popular ones are hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, and horseback riding.

Hiking at McDowell Mountain Regional Park

There are five popular hiking trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. These are the Pemberton Loop Trail, Tom’s Thumb Trail, Gateway Loop Trail, Sunrise Peak Trail, and Windgate Pass Trail.

1. Pemberton Loop Trail

Trail Length: 25.3 km

Level of Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Average Completion Time: 5 hours

Route Type: Loop

The Pemberton Loop Trail shows off the beautiful desert landscape of the park, with views of the McDowell Mountains and the Sonoran Desert all around.

The trail is well-marked and easily accessible, making it a popular choice for those looking to explore the park’s natural beauty on foot. You’ll mostly see thick forests of  saguaro cacti and plains with ocotillo plants, and some wildlife, too.

2. Tom’s Thumb Trail

Trail Length: 7.1 km

Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Average Completion Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Route Type: Out and back

Tom’s Thumb is one of the trails that we recommend (hiking in Phoenix) for hiking enthusiasts in Phoenix. This trail is about 4.2 miles round-trip, making it a rewarding and difficult hike for people who like being outside.

Start at the trailhead  and gradually climb through a variety of desert landscapes where you’ll see stunning views of the nearby Sonoran Desert and the sprawling cityscape of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

As you go up, you’ll come across many rocky parts, switchbacks, and steep slopes. Eventually, you’ll reach Tom’s Thumb and be able to take a bit of a rest here.

It’s important to remember that this trail is especially difficult during the summer because of the intense Arizona heat (why is phoenix so hot). 

3. Gateway Loop Trail

Trail Length: 7.1 km

Level of Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Average Completion Time: 2 hours

Route Type: Loop

The Gateway Loop Trail is another beautiful place to hike in the McDowell Mountains. It takes hikers on a fascinating trip through different desert landscapes, rocky terrain, and the prettiest views.

As soon as you step onto the trail, you’ll see tall, wondrous saguaro cacti. Along the way, you’ll see interesting rock formations, like old granite boulders and other geological features that have been shaped by natural forces over millions of years. 

Trust us, these unique rock shapes make for a nice selfie background, so don’t forget to take in your surroundings and take some great pictures, as well!

4. Sunrise Peak Trail

Trail Length: 5.6 km

Level of Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Average Completion Time: 3 hours

Route Type: Out and Back

Take it from the name, the Sunrise Peak Trail goes to the top of Sunrise Peak, where you can see the most amazing views of the sun rising on top of the Sonoran Desert.

From the Sunrise Trailhead, the road slowly climbs up through the rough McDowell Mountains. Like other hikes on the mountain, you’ll spot an abundance of saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, and mesquite bushes, among other types of desert plants. 

5. Windgate Pass Trail

Trail Length: 11.7 km

Level of Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Average Completion Time: 4 hours

Route Type: Out and Back

If you want a relatively longer hike, try out the Windgate Pass Trail. It’s also known to offer hikers stunning natural beauty and panoramic views.

The Windgate Pass itself is one of the best parts of the Windgate Pass Trail. When hikers reach the top, they can see sweeping views that show the beauty and greatness of the land around them.

From the pass, you can see stunning views of the McDowell Mountains, the city of Phoenix, and the desert that goes on as far as the eye can see.

Biking at McDowell Mountain Regional Park

McDowell Mountain Regional Park isn’t just a paradise for hikers; it also offers an exhilarating playground for mountain bikers! Cyclists often come here to experience the rough terrain, stunning views, and heart-pounding descents.

We won’t be focusing on the biking paths themselves, because these are mostly the hiking trails, too. Instead, we listed below are 5 of the biking experiences to have at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

1. Competitive Loops

The Competitive Loops are the best place for people who want to test their skills and endurance. These trails were made with technical features, steep climbs, and fast descents to give riders a challenge. 

The loops are between 4 and 15 miles long and have different kinds of scenery, such as rocky parts, tight switchbacks, and smooth singletrack.

2. Long Loop Trail

Mountain bikers who want a longer, more exciting ride like to take the Long Loop Trail. This 10.8-mile loop takes riders through desert washes, rolling hills, and mesquite trees. 

This trail is known for its technical features, rocky sections, and occasional steep climbs and descents. It provides an exhilarating ride that caters to both intermediate and advanced riders looking for a fun and challenging biking experience.

3. Granite Trail

The Granite Trail at McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a fantastic biking trail that offers a thrilling and scenic experience for mountain bikers. This approximately 15-mile loop trail takes riders through diverse desert landscapes.

As you bike through, you’ll come across rocky parts, sandy washes, and steep climbs and descents every now and then. These features make riding fun and exciting and are good for beginner and advanced riders who want to try something new.

The sweeping views from the Granite Trail are one of its best parts. As you climb higher, you’ll get amazing views of the nearby mountains, valleys, and the vast Sonoran Desert.

The Granite Trail is well-kept and clearly signed, which makes it easy for riders to get around. But it’s always a good idea to bring a trail map or use a GPS device to stay on track and explore the path network quickly.

4. Sport Loop

The Sport Loop is an exciting bike trail for people who want to have fun and go fast. This about 4.4-mile loop trail was made with mountain riding in mind, with smooth parts, exciting twists and turns, and some moderately difficult technical parts.

As mentioned, this loop is known for how fast and smooth it is, making it an exciting way to ride through the beautiful desert. The trail has smooth dirt sections that let riders pick up speed and enjoy the thrill of biking through the desert.

There are also berms, hills, and small jumps in the loop, which make the ride more exciting.

The trail meanders through scenic desert valleys and offers occasional views of the surrounding mountains.

Even though the Sport Loop is made so that users of all skill levels can use it, it still has a few moderately difficult parts to keep things interesting. Riders should be ready for small drops, rock gardens, and twists that take some skill to get through.

5. Scenic Loop

The Scenic Loop is probably the most beautiful bike trail in this regional park. This about 5.9-mile loop trail has a good mix of stunning views, moderate technical challenges, and fun ride for bikers of all skill levels.

As its name suggests, the trail shows off the desert scenery and gives riders breathtaking views along the way. The trail goes through a variety of landscapes, such as rocky peaks, rolling hills, and desert valleys.

The famous saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, and other desert plants line the trail, as well.

This loop has both singletrack and doubletrack parts, so riders can enjoy different ways to ride. The trail has some technical challenges, like rock gardens, small drops, and turns, which make the ride more fun and help you improve your skills.

But, beginner riders should be able to handle these technical features, too.

Camping at McDowell Mountain Regional Park

There are 92 individual campsites and several choices for group camping at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Each one offers breathtaking scenery and a wide range of recreational activities.

Individual campsites may be reserved online at http://www.maricopacountyparks.org/. Meanwhile, you can make a reservation for a group campsite by calling the park at 602-506-2930.

As of May 2023, here are the current camping prices at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

SINGLE SITE CAMPING	PRICE
Camping Reservation Fee(This is non-refundable)	$8.00
Additional vehicles not in tow will be assessed a daily fee upon entering the park.	$7
Developed sites- There are camping spots with hookups for electricity and water, a dump station, bathrooms, picnic tables, and grills.	$32.00
Semi-Developed- A campsite with bathrooms, picnic tables, and grills.	$22.00
Primitive camping- Non-designated or designated site, no amenities (Only available at Lake Pleasant)	$15.00
Shaded RV Sites- There are designated camping spots with water, power, and a shade cover.	$40.00
GROUP AND YOUTH CAMPING– These are camping spots for big groups of adults (age 18 and up) or kids (ages 17 and under with a parent or guardian).
Group/Youth Reservation fee – Non-refundable reservation feePer camping unit fee (semi-developed rate) – per night 50% discount for youth groups.	$45.00 $22.00
Reservation Cancelation/Modification Fee- Applies to all camping categories	$10.00
SINGLE SITE CAMPING	PRICE
Camping Reservation Fee- Non-refundable reservation fee	$8.00
Additional vehicles not in tow will be assessed a daily fee upon entering the park.	$7
Developed sites- There are camping spots with hookups for electricity and water, a dump station, bathrooms, picnic tables, and grills.	$32.00
Semi-Developed- A campsite with bathrooms, picnic tables, and grills.	$22.00
Primitive camping- Non-designated or designated site, no amenities (Only available at Lake Pleasant)	$15.00
Shaded RV Sites- There are designated camping spots with water, power, and a shade cover.	$40.00

There are 3 main campgrounds at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, namely:

1. E.I. Rowland Campground

At this campground, there are 76 separate spots for RVs or tents at the park. Each spot has a big place to park, a picnic table, and a fire ring for grilling.

These are “Developed Sites” with water and 20-, 30-, or 50-Amp electricity hookups. Campers can use several buildings with showers and bathrooms that are all close to each other.

Also, campers who have signed up can use the RV dump station on site.

2. Ironwood Campground

Here, there are 16 separate spots for small trailers or tents (no longer than 16 feet). These are “Semi-Developed Sites” that don’t have water or power.

Each spot has a tent area, a picnic table, and a fire ring for grilling. In the middle of the campground is a house with bathrooms and a water tap.

There are different ways to park at each place. Some have parking lots, while others have back-ins or pull-thrus.

3. Group Camping

The Group Campgrounds can be reserved for a fee, and the site can only be used for dry camping by groups of at least five units. Reservations can be made a year before the date of the trip.

Group Campground

Up to 15 big camping units can fit here. There are flush toilets and hot showers, a covered ramada with six picnic tables, a big barbecue grill, and a large fire ring for campfires.

Youth Group Area

Up to 20 big camping units can fit in this area. This is open to groups other than youth or scout groups who want to book it.

There is a big parking area, portable toilets, a water tap, picnic tables with shade, a large fire ring, and large grills.

Minks Camp

Up to 10 small camping units can fit there. There is a small parking area, portable toilets, picnic tables with shade, a large fire ring, and big grills.

Picnicking at McDowell Mountain Regional Park

McDowell Mountain Regional Park has many quiet picnic spots that are perfect for relaxing, making new friends, and enjoying a delicious meal in the middle of nature. 

There are two picnic places in the park, with a total of 88 picnic sites. All of the picnic sites have a table and a grill, and there are bathrooms and playgrounds close.

Picnic sites on McDowell Mountain are offered first-come, first-served. The picnic spot at Ironwood is open all year, but the one at Palo Verde is closed from May to August.

Horseback Riding at McDowell Mountain Regional Park

All the trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park are multi-use, unless otherwise stated by the park. So, you can go horseback riding on nearly all trails.

Like all Maricopa County Parks, equestrians can ride their own horses into the park, but they must stay on the paths.

There are more than 40 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Trails in the park range from 0.5 miles to 15.3 miles in length and from easy to hard.

The 3.1-mile North Trail is a good choice for people who want an easy ride. If you or your horse want to get a good workout, the 15.3-mile Pemberton would be a good choice.

Is there a fee at McDowell Mountain Regional Park?

There is a $7.00 entrance fee to McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Note that activities such as hiking, camping, and horseback riding may entail additional fees.

These fees contribute to the maintenance, conservation, and improvement of the park’s facilities and services, ensuring a pleasant experience for visitors.