South Mountain Park

South Mountain Park covers 6590 hectares of desert land with granite peaks, native plants, and a wide network of paths through three mountain ranges. The area connects flat valleys with steep slopes and offers views over the city and the surrounding plains.

The area became official in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge sold much of the land to the city. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built paths, lookout points, and facilities that are still used today.

The ancient Hohokam carved rock art into granite boulders along several trails like Mormon Trail and Telegraph Pass. These symbols and figures recall the life and beliefs of people who settled here centuries ago.

The trail network includes roughly 93 kilometers of marked routes for walking, cycling, and horse riding, with different difficulty levels and lengths. The Dobbins Lookout sits on Summit Road and can be reached by car, while the other paths are explored on foot or by bike.

This area hosts many chuckwallas, a type of large lizard that bask among the rocks and hide in crevices. The males show a carrot-colored tail, a feature found only at this location.