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McDowell Mountain Regional Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,291 Google reviews · Running trail in Fort McDowell, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 50 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from McDowell Mountain Regional Park'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.
Sprawling getaway providing hiking & horseback riding trails, camping sites & a bike course.
What runners say about McDowell Mountain Regional Park
“The trail is very well maintained so you have no worries about losing direction as there are signs posted all over the trail.”
“McDowell Mountain park has some of the best mountain bike trails, you could hike too, beautiful views all around.”
“This is a great place for families, everyone was well mannered and quiet.”
Hiked the Marcus Landslide Trail - connected to Tom's Thumb Trail Head in Scottsdale. Great easy trail with lots of sightseeing and interesting stops to learn about an actual landslide that approximately 500,000 years ago during the ice age, mushroom shaped rock formations, moss and all sorts of cool things!
We absolutely loved this campground! It is amazingly gorgeous! There are hiking trails glore! McDowell is a mountain biker's paradise. There are miles and miles of trails in the beautiful desert landscape. We saw so many birds, desert wren, a cardinal, and harrison hawks sitting on the giant Sagauro cactus!
Planned on starting with a hike but got distracted first by a large spread out group of people oil painting landscape portraits. Then we just had to stop by the empty visitor center to see the live desert critters. Next drove through to check out the campground and found the coolest/creepiest Rattlesnake slide.
We camped at E.I. Rowland in our travel trailer for three days. Three kids, two dogs, and two adults and everyone had a great time. Bathrooms and showers are pristine, hook-ups for electric and water available. This is a great place for families, everyone was well mannered and quiet.
Trail conditions & character
“McDowell Mountain park has some of the best mountain bike trails, you could hike too, beautiful views all around.”
“Bathrooms and showers are pristine, hook-ups for electric and water available.”
“This is a great place for families, everyone was well mannered and quiet.”
Plan your run at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Distance50 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 — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitemaricopacountyparks.net
- Phone+1 480-471-0173
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Fort McDowell
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Golden Eagle Park
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Fountain Park
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Town park with a lake & fountain, 18-hole disc golf course, playground & picnic areas on 64-acres.
Fountain Hills McDowell Mtn Preserve
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