Pinnacle Peak Park
Pinnacle Peak Park
4.5
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Monday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Tuesday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Wednesday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Thursday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Friday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Saturday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
Sunday
6:15 AM - 6:45 PM
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Neighbourhood: Central Scottsdale
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18 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
1,016 reviews
Excellent
720
Very good
250
Average
39
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Dave J
Frederick, MD94 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
We did this hike on a comfortably cool morning in February. We tapped out on a much more difficult and crowded Camelback Mountain. The area is well marked and there is ample parking at least for the early birds. There’s a friendly ranger station and very nice facilities.
The great thing about this hike is it is so well constructed and surfaced with fine gravel. The one way distance is 1.75 miles. There are some “strenuous sections” (one is even marked as such!) but if you are in reasonably good shape you should have no trouble.
The path ascends and descends and wraps around the Pinnacle Peak Mountain. There are views everywhere, but it is definitely still suburban north Scottsdale and you see all the development and golf courses all around.
Part of our group tapped out on the hike back, but we were able to drive to the end of trail area to pick them up easily after about a 5 mile drive.
The thing that surprised me is how many trail runners there were. I thought they were absolutely crazy, as footing is slippery at best in spots, but I’m guessing 5-10% of the hikers were runners.
This should go without saying, but if you are planning a weekend hike, arrive early! We got there before 9 AM and just did get a parking spot. By the time we got back the trail was overcrowded and there were cars parked well out in the adjoining street.
The great thing about this hike is it is so well constructed and surfaced with fine gravel. The one way distance is 1.75 miles. There are some “strenuous sections” (one is even marked as such!) but if you are in reasonably good shape you should have no trouble.
The path ascends and descends and wraps around the Pinnacle Peak Mountain. There are views everywhere, but it is definitely still suburban north Scottsdale and you see all the development and golf courses all around.
Part of our group tapped out on the hike back, but we were able to drive to the end of trail area to pick them up easily after about a 5 mile drive.
The thing that surprised me is how many trail runners there were. I thought they were absolutely crazy, as footing is slippery at best in spots, but I’m guessing 5-10% of the hikers were runners.
This should go without saying, but if you are planning a weekend hike, arrive early! We got there before 9 AM and just did get a parking spot. By the time we got back the trail was overcrowded and there were cars parked well out in the adjoining street.
Written 1 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NW748
Washington427 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We had a nice time on this hike although it was a bit difficult just due to the heat. We started out around 7:30 am and that was even a bit too late for us. It was in the 90’s and so it’s hard to hike the sunny, switchback inclines in that heat. We made sure to bring water. The locals seemed to have no problem, but out of towners need to make sure to start early and bring water. Easy parking. It is not a loop trail but let’s out in a neighborhood or you have to hike back (4 miles round trip). You actually never reach the “peak”, but instead kind of skirt around 2 different “peaks”.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen M
Eagle, ID68 contributions
Nov 2021
This trail is a scenic and easy to follow. It can get quite crowded but the others on the trail are friendly and polite. The trail is moderate with the last section being strenuous and you need to be careful and remember that you have to turn around and go back at some point. There is some shade from the mountains along the way but I recommend going early and bringing water. The trailhead has restrooms and a water fill station. Overall a good experience.
Written 9 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScottRoby
Scottsdale, AZ866 contributions
Oct 2021
This is one of the most beautiful places for a nice easy hike. All total in the out and back is about 3.5 miles if you go to the very end of the trail. The incline is not too tough if you are in moderate shape. If you have never been here before, it looks like they have closed off access to the top of the peak. Also it can get crowded with many oblivious hikers who do not get the concept of people passing them when they are hiking slower than molasses.
Written 26 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fishing_crazy5500
Cottage Grove, MN121 contributions
Feb 2020
My wife and I decided to give this a try the other day. The temperature was around 60 when we started the hike. A good temp to hike in. The trail has both flat and elevated parts to it as you are going up the side of Pinnacle Mountain when you start out. You then hike around the mountain once you reach the highest point of the trail. You do not go all the way to the top of the mountain. We did not do the whole hike. We went about half way as it is a hike where you hit a dead end and have to then come back the same way you came from. We enjoyed it and the views are pretty nice from higher up. The trail has signs telling you about the plants that are along the trail. The parking filled up pretty quick and we got there around 9:00 AM.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlliniTrav
Phoenix, AZ7,196 contributions
Oct 2022
We recently moved to Phoenix and have hiked on quite a few trails. So far, the Pinnacle Peak Trail has been a favorite due to the scenery and good trail conditions. It appeared that this trail was planned out well - some other trails that we've hiked seemed like they had turned into trails just because a lot of people had walked there. The trail conditions were relatively good, with steps and not a lot of the loose rock and gravel that we've noticed on other trails. There are no forks, so easy to follow.
There are distance signs every quarter mile so that you know how far you've hiked. We walked until the end of the trail, which was a ways beyond the 1.75 marker, so I'm guessing that the trail is about two miles each way. There are also little numbered markers every so often, which I'm assuming is a way to easily locate hikers if they run into a problem. Towards the end of the trail, there is a sign that says "Strenuous Beyond This Point." If you've had enough, this would be a good point to turn around. Curiously, there was no sign on the return that said 'easy beyond this point' :-)
It took us one hour to reach the end of the trail, and an hour and ten minutes to return. It was definitely a challenge because of all the up and down.
We arrived at the parking lot at about 9:15 on a weekday, and were lucky to get one of the few remaining spaces. In the beginning, the trail was very crowded, but the crowds thinned out as we hiked.
Very much in the open, but with a few shady spots on the north side and behind some big rocks - bring sunscreen and water.
There are distance signs every quarter mile so that you know how far you've hiked. We walked until the end of the trail, which was a ways beyond the 1.75 marker, so I'm guessing that the trail is about two miles each way. There are also little numbered markers every so often, which I'm assuming is a way to easily locate hikers if they run into a problem. Towards the end of the trail, there is a sign that says "Strenuous Beyond This Point." If you've had enough, this would be a good point to turn around. Curiously, there was no sign on the return that said 'easy beyond this point' :-)
It took us one hour to reach the end of the trail, and an hour and ten minutes to return. It was definitely a challenge because of all the up and down.
We arrived at the parking lot at about 9:15 on a weekday, and were lucky to get one of the few remaining spaces. In the beginning, the trail was very crowded, but the crowds thinned out as we hiked.
Very much in the open, but with a few shady spots on the north side and behind some big rocks - bring sunscreen and water.
Written 28 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drinaely
Minneapolis25 contributions
Mar 2021
We hiked here with our 5 and 7 year old and they did great. It was very busy but we were able to stay out of the way of the serious hikers/joggers for the most part. Definitely recommend for a family hike. It seems like it will take longer than it does.
Written 12 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Northernprairiedog4
Duluth, MN150 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Amazing hike to enjoy a AZ sunset! 3.5 miles up and back. Pro tip: At least get to a summit as you could get caught in valley or exit trailhead and miss the sunset. Either way, it’s a beautiful hike. Moderate to Strenuous. Can’t miss!
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibi W
Atlanta, GA4 contributions
Feb 2022
I absolutely loved this trail. I was a solo novice hiker and it was just busy enough for me to feel safe but not enough to feel crowded. I went on a Wednesday around noon. It is a great area of Scottsdale. Great views. A great place to journal and bask in the presence of God! Great places to rest with awesome views. I will visit again on my next trip to AZ.
Written 7 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TutinsPony
Phoenix, AZ2,547 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
This is a moderate hike in a well kept path. Great views that change as you go up and down on a hike that takes around two hours. The total distance was 3.2 miles with a total elevation climb of just under 900’. Even in the winter make sure you take enough water.
Written 20 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am handicapped and use an electric scooter when travelling. Would the trail at Pinnacle Peak Park be accessible for me either partly or entirely? If not this Park, can anyone tell me easy trails that would accommodate me and my scooter? My husband and I will be in Scottsdale for 1 1/2 days during Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks so much for your help!
Written 18 February 2020
I don't recommend this trail for a scooter or wheel chair. Too steep and rocky.
Written 19 February 2020
No dogs allowed except for service dogs assisting the visually impaired.
Written 13 January 2018
I plan to go hiking at McDowell Sonoran Preserve; will it be pretty much the same type of scenery/views at Pinnacle Peak? Just wondering if it is worth the time to visit both places with limited time.
Written 24 January 2017
It depends. If you like desert hikes, the two you describe are different enough to be enjoyable. But if you are the sort of person who might say, "seen one desert, seen them all" they are somewhat similar vistas. They are different levels of challenge too. The Go John trail and Tom Thumb are both significantly more different than the two you mention.
Written 25 January 2017
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