Home › Arizona › Phoenix › Desert Foothills Trailhead
Desert Foothills Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 579 Google reviews · Running trail in Phoenix, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 100 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Desert Foothills Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Desert Foothills Trailhead
“The trails were not only well-maintained but also beautifully clean, reflecting the respect that nature deserves.”
“From there you can head left to take the National trail and end up at that stone structure on the top wo get some great views of both the north and south.”
“And some of the trails aren't really used much, so it's not crowded.”
“The trail offers stunning desert views and is well-maintained, making it great for hikers of all levels.”
This is definitely a nice trail to hike. Can be a bit boring with the landscape being so dry and brown but when you find a flower here and there or get walking a bit further the mountains are cool to look at, at the more you continue it goes from flat sidewalk almost to a gradual dirt, then rocky, then Boulder type…
This is a great hike for beginners. The last bit I would say is more moderate than easy, but a lot of fun and great views.
Good parking, with shade, restrooms, and water fountains at the trailhead. The bottom part is paved then slowly turns to an a dirty trail. I would say about the first 20 minutes is easy, with not too much of an incline and after that the terrain gets more rugged and uphill.
The trails and trailhead are open. There are nice flush toilets, sinks, and water fountains at the trailhead parking lot. The first 300m of this trail is paved, then there's a fork and the Telegraph Pass trail climbs north up the pass to the roads along the mountain ⛰️ ridge, while the Desert Classic trail continues…
Trail conditions & character
“At the 1st top you reach there is a bench and then you have to walk along a busy road to get to the roacn house but the view from the top at the rock house is worth the climb.”
“I would say about the first 20 minutes is easy, with not too much of an incline and after that the terrain gets more rugged and uphill.”
“The beginning part of it from the parking lot is paved, then the trail splits into Telegraph and Desert Classic, and from there it's all natural paths.”
“And some of the trails aren't really used much, so it's not crowded.”
“The beginning part of it from the parking lot is paved, then the trail splits into Telegraph and Desert Classic, and from there it's all natural paths.”
“Nice smaller trailhead with parking lot amenities including restrooms, a shaded area, and a water bottle filling station.”
“Nice smaller trailhead with parking lot amenities including restrooms, a shaded area, and a water bottle filling station.”
“5 miles up and has various sections of loose rock, so watch your footing.”
Plan your run at Desert Foothills Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance100 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitephoenix.gov
- Phone(602) 262-7393
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Phoenix
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
South Mountain Park and Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 10,106 reviews
16,000-acre area with many trails, wildlife & a drivable road to a lookout with sweeping city views.
Mountain Park Ranch Hiking Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 63 reviews
Area with multiple hiking paths and mountain bike routes, along with pond views.
Corona de Loma Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 295 reviews
Casual network of trails for hiking and mountain biking with moderate to easy options.
Fat Man's Pass
4.7 ★★★★★ 284 reviews
Rugged, narrow passage running between 2 large boulders along the Hidden Valley Trail.
Thondum Wihom Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 121 reviews
Hikers and bikers traverse this canyon trail, which is known for its views.
Hidden Valley Natural Tunnel
4.9 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Scenic destination featuring a trail through boulders and shade, and a natural tunnel.