South Mountain FAQ
South Mountain Park and Preserve is a City of Phoenix park of more than 16,000 acres with more than 100 miles of trails, and the City lists no entrance fee. The entrance is open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the trails 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; you can drive to Dobbins Lookout (2,330 feet) except during Silent Sunday closures, and leashed dogs are allowed except when it's above 100°F. The answers below come from the City of Phoenix's own pages; each links to the page on this site that covers the topic in full.
Visiting
- Fees: none listed by the City (Hours & Fees).
- Hours: entrance and parking 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.; trails 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Visitor Center Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Main entrance: 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85042 (Parking & Trailheads).
- Sundays: Summit Road closes to cars 5 to 10 a.m. most Sundays and all day on the fourth Sunday (Silent Sunday).
Hiking
- Best-known hikes: Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout; Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley and Fat Man's Pass.
- Easiest: the paved Judith Tunell loops at the Visitor Center, and the Pima Canyon wash trails.
- Heat: four routes are restricted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Extreme Heat Warning days (Heat Closures).
- Map: a free City PDF (Trail Map).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Mountain Park free?
The City of Phoenix lists no entrance or parking fee for South Mountain Park and Preserve.
What are South Mountain Park's hours?
The entrance and parking are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and the trails 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Visitor Center is open Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Can you drive to the top of South Mountain?
Yes, to Dobbins Lookout at 2,330 feet, the highest point open to the public, on Summit Road from the main entrance. The road is closed to cars on Sunday mornings and all day on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Are dogs allowed at South Mountain?
Yes, on a leash 6 feet or shorter. Phoenix City Code bans dogs from City trails when it's above 100°F.
Is South Mountain closed in the summer?
No. On Extreme Heat Warning days, the City restricts the Holbert, Mormon and Hau'pal Loop trails and National Trail access from Pima Canyon from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Everything else stays open.
What is the best hike at South Mountain?
The most-searched are the Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout (about 1,100 feet of climbing) and the Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley and Fat Man's Pass. The 1-mile Kiwanis Trail is a gentler start.
How big is South Mountain Park?
More than 16,000 acres, one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation, across the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe ranges.
Who runs South Mountain Park and Preserve?
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. It is a city park, not a state or national park.
Where is Fat Man's Pass?
At the west end of Hidden Valley, reached from the Mormon Trailhead (8610 S. 24th St.) via the Mormon and National trails.
Are there petroglyphs at South Mountain?
Yes, thousands, mostly made by the Hohokam between about AD 450 and 1450. They're visible from trails including the Mormon, Holbert and Kiwanis trails.
Can you mountain bike at South Mountain?
Yes. The City says the trails are used for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, and the park roads are popular with cyclists.
Is there a visitor center?
Yes. The South Mountain Visitor Center, formerly the South Mountain Environmental Education Center, is at 10409 S. Central Ave. and open Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Can you go off trail at South Mountain?
No. The City's trail map says off-trail travel is prohibited.