Sunset glow and clouds over the Phoenix valley from South Mountain

Hours & Fees

South Mountain Park and Preserve's entrance and parking lots are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and its trails are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The South Mountain Visitor Center is open Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City of Phoenix lists no entrance or parking fee. Summit Road closes to cars on Sunday mornings and all day on the fourth Sunday of the month, and four trail routes are restricted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Extreme Heat Warning days.

At a Glance

Hours & Fees at a Glance

Entrance & parking5 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily

Trails5 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily

Visitor CenterThursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Entrance feeNone listed by the City of Phoenix

Silent SundaySummit Road closed to cars 5 a.m.–7 p.m. on the 4th Sunday; 5–10 a.m. other Sundays

San Juan RoadOpen 1st Saturday (5 a.m.–7 p.m.) and 1st Sunday (10 a.m.–7 p.m.) of each month

Heat warningsFour trail routes restricted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Park Hours

Entrance and parking: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day. The gates close at 7 p.m., so plan to drive out before then.
Trails: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
South Mountain Visitor Center: Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 10409 S. Central Ave. (Visitor Center).
Ramadas: reservations can be made for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; every ramada is open to the public after 6 p.m. (Plan Your Visit).

Is South Mountain Park Free?

The City of Phoenix lists no entrance fee and no parking fee on its South Mountain Park/Preserve pages. Ramada reservations go through a Special Activity Request Form, and the City's guided programs are booked separately through its activity registration site.

Road Schedules: Silent Sunday and San Juan Road

Fourth Sunday of every 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.
First, second, third and fifth Sundays: a shorter Silent Sunday, 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., with Summit Road closed at the 1.0-mile marker.
San Juan Road: open to cars from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first Sunday.
Special events: the City occasionally closes Summit Road for events such as the National Trail Trek.

More: Silent Sunday.

Arched stone wall of the Dobbins Lookout ramada framing a desert rock formation

Heat Closures

On days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, the City restricts the Holbert Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Hau'pal Loop and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park itself stays open, and more than 100 miles of trail remain accessible. Dogs are not allowed on any City trail when the temperature is above 100°F. Heat Closures

Best Hours to Visit

The City's hiking advice is to go when it's cool, early in the morning or in the evening. Check the day's sunset time against the 7 p.m. gate closing if you plan to watch the sunset from Dobbins Lookout.

FAQ

Hours & Fees FAQ

What time does South Mountain Park open and close?

The entrance and parking lots are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Trails are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Is South Mountain Park free?

The City of Phoenix lists no entrance or parking fee for South Mountain Park and Preserve.

What are the South Mountain Visitor Center hours?

Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 10409 S. Central Ave.

Can you drive up South Mountain on Sunday?

Only partly. Summit Road is closed to cars from 5 to 10 a.m. at the 1.0-mile marker on most Sundays, and all day on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Is South Mountain open in the summer?

Yes. On Extreme Heat Warning days the City restricts four trail routes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the rest of the park stays open.