At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land. It boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. The park's main entrance, from which the Summit Road is accessed, is located at 10919 S. Central Ave. The drive up the Summit Road is just 5.5 miles to Dobbins Lookout and spectacular valleywide views. Visitors also can continue to the Gila Lookout for a view of the Gila River Valley. This scenic road is shared by bikers and hikers and there are many steep sections with blind curves. So maximum speeds are 25 mph and just 15 mph on curves. The main entrance gate closes promptly at 7 p.m. so please plan your visit accordingly.
All gated roadways, trailhead parking areas, restrooms and ramadas are open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., the trails remain open until 11 p.m.
Silent Sundays/San Juan Road Access :
For each monthly Silent Sunday event, (generally the fourth Sunday of each month), the park’s main access roadways are closed to motor vehicles, reserving them for the entire day for non-motorized uses. 2012 Silent Sunday dates are: April 22, May 27, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 25 and Dec. 23. San Juan Road is open to vehicles the first weekend of every month for easy access to the Alta, Bajada and National trails. The road is closed to motor vehicles all other times.
Park/Preserve Improvement Projects:
Work near the Beverly Canyon Trail requires a temporary detour of the trail. Find details on the Beverly Canyon area trail detour map.
For information about South Mountain improvement projects, call the main park ranger office at 602-262-7393.
The Judith Tunnell Trail recently received a new paved surface. The new surface is earth colored and offers a smooth, consistent surface.
2012 Road Closures:
Road Closures include all traffic including bicycles, hikers and runners, and motor vehicles on paved roads.
May 4 Summit Road closed at gate from 3 p.m. to closing. No access to San Juan Road.
May 12 Summit Road closed at 1.0-mile marker from 4 to 11 a.m. for Time Trials Bike Race. No Access to San Juan Road.
August 12 Summit Road closed at gate from 4 to 10 a.m. for ARR 5 K Road Race. No Access to San Juan Road.
October 27 Summit Road closed at gate from 4 to 11 a.m. No access to San Juan Road.
History
The history of South Mountain Park/Preserve as a city park dates back to 1924. Prominent local citizens, with the help of Sen. Carl Hayden, bought 13,000 acres from the federal government for $17,000. In 1935 the National Park Service developed a master plan for the park with riding and hiking trails, picnic areas and overlooks, all in rustic regional character. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the facilities in the park, based on this master plan. Visitation at the park has gone from 3,000 a month in 1924 to an estimated three million a year today.
Highest Point
Mount Suppoa (not accessible to the public) reaches 2,690 feet. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park accessible by trail or public roadway.
Geology, Flora and Fauna
It is important to remember that the Phoenix mountain preserves are open, undeveloped desert areas. Please use care when heading out as hikers can encounter rocky terrain, rattlesnakes and other potential hazards native to the Sonoran Desert. If you encounter a rattlesnake, allow it space and time to escape. South Mountain Park/Preserve actually consists of three mountain ranges, the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. They stretch diagonally from northeast to southwest. Diagonal mountain ranges that protrude from desert floors, like those of South Mountain, are typical features of the Sonoran Desert. Various minerals were mined in the park in the early 1900s before its birth as a park.
If you would like to be on the “Friends of South Mountain Park” mailing list, please contact us at elizabeth.smith@phoenix.gov with the following information: Last name, first name, e-mail address. If you would prefer; call (602) 262-7393 or (602) 262-6713 (tty) with your information.
Read South Mountain Newsletter Rangerglyphs (2011, Volume 4) 
Past Issues:
Rangerglyphs (2011, Volume 3)
RangerGlyphs (2011, Volume 2)
RangerGlyphs Nov/Dec 2010
RangerGlyphs Sep/Oct 2010