Fountain Hills Hiking

A beautiful but often busy trail that mostly follows the northern shoreline of Saguaro Lake. The trail starts at Butcher Jones Beach and intermittently climbs a few hundred feet above the lake for commanding views and drops back down to the shoreline at various locations for fishing, picnicking, or just plain enjoying the lake. Tonto Pass required for parking.

Located at the far northwest corner of Fountain Hills, this is an easy 2.5 mile hike to an abandoned mine in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. This hike features Classic Sonoran Desert landscape. When you reach the Dixie Mine you get fantastic views of the McDowell range up-close, as well as views of the massive valley between the McDowells and Mazatzals.

This very short hike takes you from Fountain Lake Park to a ridge east of the lake that provides an incredible panoramic view of the Lake, the Fountain and also Fountain Hills. The other direction provides views of Four Peaks, the Superstitions, Goldfield Mountains as well as Ft. McDowell Reservation. The hike is a loop that connects the NE and NW corns of the Fountain Park.

A relatively short but steep hike that rewards diligent hikers with incredible views of the whole valley as well as Fountain Hills. Starts at a parking area before a gated community and climbs in a canyon behind a row of houses. Soon it leaves the houses behind and becomes a relentless climb in a tranquil boulder filled canyon. A couple viewpoints are available half way up.

Located below the Mogollon Rim about 20 miles east of Payson, this is a heavenly hike in the warmer months. The gently climbing trail parallels Horton Creek (flows all year) up to the Horton Springs. About a quarter of the time the trail is right next to the creek and there are many places to sit on large boulders and enjoy this world so-close yet so different from the desert.