Dobbins Lookout

Dobbins Lookout is the highest point in South Mountain Park and Preserve that the public can reach, at 2,330 feet, with an open view across the Phoenix valley. You can drive there on Summit Road from the main entrance at 10919 S. Central Ave., or hike up on the Holbert Trail and the short extension that branches off it to the lookout. The park gate is open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Summit Road is closed to cars all day on the fourth Sunday of every month.

What You See From Dobbins Lookout

The City of Phoenix describes the lookout as the place locals and visitors go for an unobstructed panoramic view of the Valley. You look north over the whole metro area, with downtown Phoenix and the surrounding mountain ranges spread out below. Visit Phoenix, the city's tourism bureau, notes a stone ramada at the top for shade and a small observation platform that labels the landmarks in view, including Camelback Mountain and downtown.

Driving to Dobbins Lookout on Summit Road

Enter at the main entrance, 10919 S. Central Ave., and follow the park road up the mountain. Visit Phoenix puts the drive at about 5.5 miles from the main entrance. The City warns that the scenic roads are shared by cars, cyclists and walkers, with blind corners, narrow sections and steep drop-offs, so drive slowly and keep to the speed limit.

• Gate hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The entrance closes at 7 p.m., so plan to be driving down before then.
• 4th Sunday of the month: Silent Sunday. Summit Road is closed to cars all day, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and vehicles park at the Activity Complex. Walking or biking up the road is allowed.
• Other Sundays: a shorter Silent Sunday, 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., closes Summit Road at the 1.0-mile marker.
• Events: the City occasionally closes Summit Road for organized events. Check the park page before a special trip.

More on the road closures: Silent Sunday.

Hiking to Dobbins Lookout

The City's trail guide sends hikers up the Holbert Trail, then onto the extension trail that leads to Dobbins Lookout. Holbert is rated moderate/difficult: a steady climb with about 1,100 feet of elevation change. The City's trail map lists Holbert at 2.3 miles one way, not counting the extension. Start at the Holbert Trailhead: from the main entrance, take the first left and follow that road to the trailhead.

Holbert is one of the trails the City restricts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning (Heat Closures). In the warm months, hike it at first light.

Full trail details: Holbert Trail.

Best Time to Go

• Cool hours: the City's hiking advice is to go when it's cool, early in the morning or in the evening.
• Sunrise: the gate opens at 5 a.m., which gives drivers and hikers time to reach the lookout for first light.
• Sunset: check the day's sunset time against the 7 p.m. gate closing before you drive up for it.
• Silent Sundays: quieter roads for walkers and cyclists, but no driving to the top on the fourth Sunday.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: anyone who wants the park's biggest view with little effort (by car); a hard, rewarding morning climb (by Holbert); out-of-town visitors who want one look at the whole valley.

Maybe skip if: you want solitude at sunset, or you are visiting on the fourth Sunday and can't hike or bike up. For a quieter hike with rock scenery instead of a big view, try Hidden Valley and Fat Man's Pass.