Planning an RV road trip to Phoenix? With its unique topography and stunning desert vistas, the Valley of the Sun is the perfect place to add some hiking to your travel plans. Here are a few of the best hikes in Phoenix to try while visiting in your RV rental!
The Best Hikes in Phoenix, Hands Down
If you are visiting Phoenix and want to get out in nature to explore the rugged terrain, check out our list of the best hikes in Phoenix. We include the best easy hikes in Phoenix, sunset hikes, moderate, and difficult hikes for more experienced hikers.
Hole in the Rock (Easy)
If you’re looking for a quick-and-easy hike that’s good for families or people with dogs, Hole in the Rock Trail in Papago Park is the one for you. It’s only 0.3 miles, moderately trafficked and lets you get up close and personal with Arizona buttes (pronounced “byoots” — there, now you sound like a local!). Our absolute favorite time to go to this Tempe park is at sunset, which you can view through the, well, hole in the rock! This is one of the best sunset hikes in Phoenix for a clear view of the colorful evening sky.
Distance: 0.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 32 feet
Route Type: Out & Back
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There’s plentiful parking for your RV Rental in Tempe at the trailhead for the Hole in the Rock hike.
Warpaint Loop (Easy)
The Warpaint Loop trail is one of the best easy hikes in Phoenix suitable for all skill levels. This trail makes a great hike for families because it has a low elevation gain and dogs are allowed (leashed). Located in the South Mountain Preserve, this hiking trail offers visitors scenic views but little shade, so be sure to lather on the sunscreen! Most of the Warpaint Loop trail is in direct sunlight. The trail is relatively flat, making it a popular locale for biking as well. View stunning cacti and vegetation as you traverse this easy hiking trail in Phoenix.
Distance: 2.2 miles
Elevation: 147 feet
Route Type: Loop
Tom’s Thumb (Moderate)
If you think Phoenix is a barren wasteland, you need to hike the Tom’s Thumb trail in Scottsdale. You can’t leave out Tom’s Thumb trail on a list of the best hikes in the Phoenix area. Part of the gorgeous McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, this trail offers stunning views of Phoenix, the Four Peaks Mountain landmark and the McDowell Mountains as you weave in and out of plentiful vegetation. After you climb all over Tom’s Thumb (an iconic granite formation), check out Ogre’s Den, an old miner’s cave located west of the Thumb that features art and trinkets left behind by fellow hikers.
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,236 feet
Route Type: Out & Back
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Photo Credit: Instagram User Jacqueline Hurse
After experiencing the beauty of this hike, you can kick back and relax in your RV rental in Scottsdale.
Deem Hills Circumference Trail (Moderate)
The great thing about the Deem Hills Circumference Trail in Glendale is the variety of terrain. This variety is what lands it on our list of the best hikes in Phoenix! One minute you’re on a nice flat portion, and the next, you’re panting up a steep and rocky section. Because the trail traverses the entire Deem Hills Park, you get 360-degree views of the Valley, including Phoenix and the McDowell, Hieroglyphic, and Bradshaw Mountains. Keep an eye out for “traffic” when you hike this trail, as it’s a popular one for runners, people with dogs and mountain bikers, too.
Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 784 feet
Route Type: Loop
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Photo Credit: Nick & Ollie
Avoid foot traffic on this hike by arriving early in the morning in your RV rental in Glendale.
Piestewa Peak Summit (Difficult)
Part of a sprawling park surrounded on all sides by the city of Phoenix, Piestewa Peak Summit trail offers unparalleled views of the city, especially at night. The Summit trail is a leg and butt buster, climbing more than a thousand feet in just 2.2 miles. As there are a lot of trails that zig zag across the park, we recommend downloading a map on a hiking app like All Trails before heading out on this hike. This hike may be a challenge, but the views are well worth it. This is another one of the best sunset hikes in Phoenix with views of the city in the background.
Distance: 2.2 miles
Elevation: 1,151 feet
Route Type: Out & Back
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Photo Credit: Instagram User Stephanie Moy
After this thigh-burner hike, you’ll be glad to recuperate in your RV rental in Phoenix.
Lost Ranch Ruins Trail To Lost Ranch Mines Trail Loop (Difficult)
The Lost Ranch Ruins Trail To Lost Ranch Mines Trail Loop is a heavily trafficked, fairly steep hike near Phoenix, Arizona. It is a loop trail just under 5 miles that offers hikers beautiful views of plentiful wildflowers and the Estrella Mountains. The real reason why this hike makes our list of the best hikes in Phoenix is the view of the historic Lost Ranch Ruins.
The Lost Ranch Ruins is a historic site that is surrounded by many urban legends. From the trail, you may be able to make out the stone frame of the fireplace structure. This trail is a popular one, so we recommend getting there early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat!
Distance: 4.9 miles
Elevation: 1,253 feet
Route Type: Loop
Explore the Best Hikes in Phoenix With a Cruise America RV
Arizona is home to many amazing hiking trails perfect for all skill levels. From sunset hikes to difficult hikes with rocky terrain and high elevation, Phoenix is a hiker’s paradise. The best way to travel in style and comfort to the Phoenix area is to pick up an RV rental from Cruise America.
Cruise America has a full line of RV rentals with modern amenities to make traveling as comfortable as possible. Rest in the air conditioning of your RV rental after a long day of hiking in Phoenix! Contact us for more information or find a convenient rental location near you.