Rules & Regulations

South Mountain Park and Preserve is protected by the City of Phoenix Charter, and its main rules are simple: stay on designated trails (off-trail travel is prohibited), don't stack rocks, don't touch the petroglyphs or move artifacts, keep dogs on a 6-foot leash and off the trails above 100°F, and be out of the gated lots by 7 p.m. Trails are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Extreme Heat Warning days, four routes are restricted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On the Trails

• Stay on designated trails. The City's map says travel off-trail is prohibited, to protect the preserve. It also keeps hikers and dogs away from cacti and wildlife.
• No rock stacking. On the Pyramid Trail page the City points out that stacking rocks is not only not recommended, it is illegal.
• Petroglyphs: view and photograph them from the trail. Don't touch: skin oils damage the rock (Petroglyphs).
• Artifacts: pottery pieces and sharpened stone tools are remnants of the Hohokam and must stay where you find them. Take only photographs; leave only footprints.
• Bikes: allowed on the trail system, but the City recommends against biking the busy Mormon Trail (Mountain Biking).
• Heat restrictions: on Extreme Heat Warning days, the Holbert, Mormon and Hau'pal Loop trails and National Trail access from Pima Canyon are restricted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Heat Closures).

Dogs

• Leash: 6 feet or shorter (City Code 8-14).
• Heat: no dogs on City trails when the temperature is above 100°F (City Code 8-3, 24-54).
• Waste: pick up and carry out (City Code 27-12).
• Stay on trail (City Code 24-36).

More: Dogs at South Mountain.

Hours and Roads

• Entrance and parking: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trails: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Drive with extreme caution: the City warns that park roads are shared with cyclists and walkers and have blind corners, narrow sections and treacherous drop-offs. Obey the speed limit.
• Silent Sunday: Summit Road is closed to cars 5 to 10 a.m. at the 1.0-mile marker on most Sundays and all day on the fourth Sunday (Silent Sunday).
• San Juan Road: open to cars only on the first Saturday (5 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and first Sunday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) of each month.

Ramadas and Gatherings

• Ramadas are available for public use; several require a reservation through a Special Activity Request Form, no more than 6 months and no less than 72 hours ahead.
• Reservations cover 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; all ramadas are open to the public after 6 p.m.
• No reservations on holiday weekends.
• No amplified music and no bounce houses.

Safety

The City's "Take a Hike. Do it Right." program asks every visitor to hike when it's cool, dress for the desert, carry plenty of water and a phone, hike with someone, and know their limits. More than 200 hikers are rescued from Phoenix's desert and mountain parks each year. In an emergency, call 911. The Ranger Office is 602-262-7393.

Who Enforces the Rules

City of Phoenix park rangers enforce City codes and park rules, patrol the trails on foot and mountain bike, and manage the preserve's natural resources.