Home › Arizona › Fountain Hills › Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve

Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve

5 ★★★★★ 2 Google reviews · Running trail in Fountain Hills, Arizona · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve'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.

Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve — running trail in Fountain Hills, AZ, photo 1
Trailhead parking

What runners say about Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Spanning over 1000 acres of Sonoran Desert and over 8 miles of trails, the McDowell Mtn Preserve is Fountain Hill's desert recreational gem. From here one can hike from Fountain Hills to Scottsdale, to the McDowell Mtn Regional Park, and north all the way to the Tonto National Forest.

★★★★★ — Paul , Jun 2019

These are my local trails and they are so much fun. No technical trails in this area but still fun if you are in good shape.

★★★★★ — Alex , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitescfh.org
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–7 pm
Tuesday 6 am–7 pm
Wednesday 6 am–7 pm
Thursday 6 am–7 pm
Friday 6 am–7 pm
Saturday 6 am–7 pm
Sunday 6 am–7 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve

N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

Get directions

Running trails near Fountain Hills

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Adero Canyon Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 108 reviews

Fountain Hills, AZ

LoopScenic

Outdoor recreation area featuring mountains, canyons, scenic views and various fitness trails with restrooms and picnic tables.

under a mile away

Western Loop Trail South

5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

Fountain Hills, AZ

Loop

under a mile away

Western Bike Loop Trail

Fountain Hills, AZ

LoopPaved

under a mile away

Sunrise Peak

4.9 ★★★★★ 98 reviews

Scottsdale, AZ

ScenicDog-friendly

Popular peak hike with panoramic vistas of the city and skyline from the summit.

under a mile away

Dixie Mine Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Fountain Hills, AZ

4 miCrushed gravelScenic

1.3 miles away

Sunrise Peak Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 59 reviews

Scottsdale, AZ

Natural surfaceScenic

1.9 miles away

All running trails in Fountain Hills, AZ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.