Visit Phoenix for your next mountain biking trip

Phoenix

Arizona

Desert adventures and mountain views! Explore 100 miles near the sprawling Phoenix metro area.

The Valley of the Sun, centered around Phoenix, is a large metropolitan area in Arizona, known for its desert landscapes, warm climate, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Phoenix offers a mix of urban amenities and access to the surrounding mountains and desert. The area is popular for hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the Sonoran Desert.

The area has a desert climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time for mountain biking is generally spring and fall, when the weather is more pleasant. Summer is extremely hot, so it's essential to ride early in the morning or late in the evening and carry plenty of water. Be prepared for dry, dusty conditions and check trail conditions before heading out.

Featured MTB Trails

The Valley of the Sun area offers 100 miles of a variety of mountain biking trails that showcase the desert terrain. The trails provide a mix of flowy singletrack, technical challenges, and scenic views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscapes. South Mountain Park is a popular destination for mountain biking, offering a vast network of trails.

  • IMBA Ride Center: The Valley of the Sun, encompassing Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa, proudly holds an IMBA Bronze-Level Ride Center designation, recognizing its vast and diverse desert mountain biking terrain. This status highlights the region's extensive trail networks, from the rugged, technical challenges of South Mountain's National Trail and the expansive McDowell Sonoran Preserve with options for all skill levels, to the fun, flowy singletrack at Hawes.

  • South Mountain Park/Preserve (Phoenix): One of the largest municipal parks in the US, South Mountain offers a vast network of rocky, technical, and challenging desert trails. Popular trails include National Trail (an IMBA Epic), Geronimo, Holbert, and Mormon Trail. Expect steep climbs, chunky descents, and incredible views.

  • McDowell Sonoran Preserve (Scottsdale): This large preserve features an extensive network of well-maintained trails that cater to a wider range of skill levels than South Mountain. Trails like Pemberton Loop, Gooseneck, and various routes from Tom's Thumb Trailhead offer scenic desert riding with options for flow and technical challenges.

  • Hawes Trail System (Mesa): Known for its fun, flowy trails with some technical sections, offering great views of the Red Mountain and the Salt River. Popular trails include Big Sister, Secret, and Wild Horse.

  • Gold Canyon (east of Phoenix): Offers rugged, technical and scenic desert riding with trails like the K trail and various loops through the Superstition Mountains foothills.

  • White Tank Mountain Regional Park (Waddell, west of Phoenix): Features a variety of trails, including the competitive Mesquite Canyon loop and easier, more scenic options.

More mountain biking towns in Arizona