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Trail Head Preserve - McDowell Mountains
4.7 ★★★★★ 134 Google reviews · Running trail in Scottsdale, Arizona · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 230 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Trail Head Preserve - McDowell Mountains' 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.
Park featuring hiking trails of varying difficulty through desert terrain.
What runners say about Trail Head Preserve - McDowell Mountains
“It's also very clean, safe, and well-kept.”
“A truly beautiful hike and a must for anyone who wants an easy-moderate hike with incredible beauty.”
“Good maps available on site and the trails are very well marked.”
“The initial trail is quite family friendly for little kids, anything past a mile would probably be a bad idea for anyone over 10.”
McDowell Sonoran Preserve - plenty of parking, nice restrooms and shaded pavilion. We walked the Gateway Loop clockwise, 2 hour hike. Steeper 655’ elevation gain hike on north side 1.5 miles, gradual decent on south side over 1.5 miles to return. 4.75 miles round trip from parking lot and pavilion. Nice desert hike.
Temp was 108 on the day we went and one person in our party forgot their hat and only brought one 12 ounce bottle of water for each person on a 4.5 mile hike....grrrr. Plan well. Wear good trail shoes. Bring walking sticks for hills and scrambles.
This is honestly one of the nicest trailheads I've ever been to. Excellent views before you even hit the trails. Picnic tables and a ramada. Lovely landscaping, flower bushes, etc. Clearly marked and paved parking lot. Clean restrooms! Running water! The trails themselves are also very well marked.
Beautiful trail, though maybe a little crowded on a Sunday afternoon in April. We didn't go super far down the trail but we didn't need to! Views were breathtaking with lots of wildflowers and cactus variations to check out. Plenty of parking and great facilities too. For sure worth the stop.
Trail conditions & character
“A truly beautiful hike and a must for anyone who wants an easy-moderate hike with incredible beauty.”
“Convenient location, plenty of parking and several different trails and routes to choose from.”
“Panoramic views of Fountain Hills and Scottsdale.”
“McDowell Sonoran Preserve - plenty of parking, nice restrooms and shaded pavilion.”
“5 miles, gradual decent on south side over 1.”
“Good maps available on site and the trails are very well marked.”
“We walked the Gateway Loop clockwise, 2 hour hike.”
“There is a water fountain at the visitor’s center.”
Plan your run at Trail Head Preserve - McDowell Mountains
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Loop distance230 mi back to where you parked. 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
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitescottsdaleaz.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Scottsdale
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
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