McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The City Council is pushing to take 30 acres from the preserve and build a 74,000 sq ft Desert Discovery Center (DDC) IN the preserve at a cost of $ 74 million with an estimated annual $ 1.6 million running deficit. An additional 1,000 people/​day will be in the preserve which turns the preserve into a commercial enterprise (along with restaurants, shops, etc that they’re proposing to build in the preserve).
Watch this video from Councilman Guy Phillips (he made this with his own money — it’s not propaganda)
If you do not support the Desert Discovery Center being built in the Gateway Preserve, you must take immediate action by sending an email to the City Council members.
They are about to hire an architecture firm to begin designing the DDC within in the preserve. Once this happens it is going to be that much more difficult to get them to consider another location.
Ask, why hasn’t there been a vote on this??!
Listed below is a template you can use along with the email addresses of those who it needs to go to.
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To:
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Subject: Desert Discovery Center
I am writing to express my concern about building the Desert Discovery Center in the Gateway preserve.
As a resident of Scottsdale I am opposed to the DDC being built in the Gateway Preserve regardless of how it is funded (private or public funds).
The public, including myself, deserves the right to vote on where the DDC is built. The City of Scottsdale should instruct the non-​profit Desert Discovery Center Scottsdale Inc. to look only look at sites outside of the preserve.
As a resident, I am very concerned that the DDCS non-​profit has taken the position that the only site they will consider is the Gateway preserve.
Building outside the preserve has many advantages. Namely that it preserves the preserve. Why not build it in the tourism corridor which would be close to West World that attracts over 1 million visitors/​year? It doesn’t need to be built in the preserve.
We will be voting in August and November, based solely on candidates positions on the DDC. This is our single issue for the upcoming election.
Thank you for caring about the Preserve and all you are doing to protect it.

Spectacular hiking, scenery and nature. I spent most of the afternoon walking up to Tom’s Thumb and then wandering around on my way back down until sunset. A couple of small storms blew through making everything high-​contrast. The smell of the desert after a rain is impossible to describe. It’s better than real good.

My favorite place to hike. Heading there now. You can access mountain passes that take you to fountain hills. The views are amazing. Real bathrooms at the base and volunteers to help. As you walk in try taking the path on the left before the building. It’s much less busy. (Desert park trail)

Miles & miles of trails & so close to the city. This is a great place to go if you want to get away for a day. There are trails easy enough that you could bring some kiddos with you. I did see a few trail runners also, so if you’re looking for some dirt this is your place. We were here in March when all the cactus were blooming, so it was really quite prettying. Love seeing all the giant cactus, which are what I tend to see in my mind when I think of AZ. We got some lovely pictures & even saw a Mojave Green rattlesnake! He went right across our path & was definitely not timid, scared us half to death actually. So, if your in AZ and don’t have the time to make it to the Grand Canyon or some of the other large parks this is an easy place to get to for some hiking just outside Phoenix.

It’s weird to review a mountain, but here goes. I like this hike because:
1) It’s close to my house.
2) I don’t have to be rescued like I would if I went to Camelback.
This is an easy trail, if you’re not hard-​core. Just a perfect little hike for a lazy day.

We hiked the Gateway Trail. Perfect level of difficulty for a few hours to get out and stretch our legs after being at a business conference for the day. Great view of the desert, lots of plants in bloom. Good views of Scottsdale and the other side of the mountains. Not too much elevation change, but enough to get your heart rate up. The facilities at the trail head were very nice and had drinking fountains with cold water. If you can only do one hike to get the flavor of the area, this one seems like a great one.

Made it up to the summit of Thompson Peak, the 3^rd highest peak in the McDowell’s. One of the most difficult hikes I’ve ever made.
Note that it is best to use the Dixie mine trailhead from fountain hills. Shea to Palisades, left on golden eagle road for about 2.5 miles and the trailhead and parking is on the left, just before a gated community. Can’t miss it.
Take the Dixie mine trail for about 2 miles or so until you reach a junction that points Dixie mine to the right. You will want to go left and take the road that leads to the summit. This is where it gets very very steep and strenuous. It’s one of the steepest roads I’ve ever trekked on. Needless to say those quads and gluts will be burning. The last 600 – 700 feet of climbing is absurd. It must be a 40% gradient. It’s crazy. Once you reach the top the views are outstanding.
You’re looking at about 4 ½ hours total and somewhere in the ballpark of 10 miles round trip. It’s quite a challenge but very rewarding when reaching the top.

We came here on a cloudy and cold day in December. My husband had never been to Arizona, so I was looking for some activities that were desert related.
I wore my sneakers with a thin bottom, but I would recommend wearing something with a thicker sole as there are a lot of rocks and loose debris.
This is really quite the amazing space! We saw many others despite the grey day, it’s a nice spot to go for some fresh air.
Due to the weather and cold, we did a very abbreviated hike (less than 2 miles). There are many different loops and you can certainly find trails for all ability levels.
We really enjoyed seeing the cacti and desert life! Definitely worth coming here, especially if you are from out of town.

A desert oasis situated in one of the nicest areas of Scottsdale with seemingly endless well-​kept hiking trails providing breathtaking views, a wide array of interesting flora and fauna, clean bathrooms, and free and ample parking.

Beautiful trails for all ages! Great parking, nice clean bathrooms and water fountains

I relocated from Chicago 8 years ago and have hiked every possible day that I could since then. Like everyone is saying, there are many, many hikes of varying degrees of difficulty and length. I have led many scout troops, families, and individuals on guided hikes where I can teach about the various cacti, plants, and critters that are in the Sonoran Desert Mountain area. Next time you are out here, look me up and I will be glad to lead you and/​or your family on a hike. My favorite hike now is the Tom Thumb hike from the North side… there are 2 interesting caves up there (Miners Cave & Ogre’s Den). Happy Hiking!
Feel free to contact me with any questions about hiking in this area:

Clean & beautiful facility with lots of information for visitors. Maps are provided and trails are clearly marked. Even in November it can be deceptively warm so visitors should heed advice to bring lots of water and sunscreen. Trails uphill are rocky and uneven so running may be difficult but there appeared to be plenty of variety of terrain. Parking mid day was plentiful and everything was well groomed and maintained. I came away from my brief (2.5 hour to Inspiration Pt and the Gateway Loop with lots of dawdling for photos) hike with a better understanding of the native flora and fauna.

I wish I could keep this place all to myself, but the word is already out. It’s a beautiful place with a hike for everyone (from beginner to seasoned vet). Enjoy it and take care of it. *****5 Stars.

This is such a gem in the NE part of Scottsdale. There are many different types of hikes: Some for beginners, and some that will challenge the hiking elite.
Some tips:
The Gateway Loop will take you about 1.5 hours. If you’re in good shape you can run about 40% of it, get a great workout in, and finish in about an hour.
Pants fitting a little tight? No worries: Add Inspiration Point to your Gateway Loop hike. It will almost double your time and you’ll get a kick a$$ view from the top. You can then either back track and rejoin the Gateway Loop or circle it around and add even more time to your hike.
You can’t go wrong here — even the bathrooms are in 5-​star hotel shape!
PS: Saw a Tiger Rattlesnake on my last hike — yikes!

SO BEAUTIFUL. There’s quite a few trails at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve trailhead and often times the volunteers are wonderfully helpful at explaining the best trails for you, info about the preserve, etc.
I don’t live in the area but have hiked the Gateway Loop Trail twice (upon vising family) and loved it. It’s a simple, yet slightly challenging hike, and takes only about 1.5 hours.
The trailhead also loops into many other trails and you can start at various locations to hike more, amazing trails.
Wonderful parking lot, clean restrooms, good maps to help guide you.
A must hike if you’re in the area! Just make sure to bring water! It’s a bright and sunny trail with little to no shade.

I’m from Wisconsin and every time I visit Arizona, I hike in the McDowell Preserve. It has been 5 times now and I like the Gateway trailhead best.
Plenty of trails but sometimes a little crowded until you get away from the parking lot.
Maps, rest rooms, and a large parking lot.

I love this place. It really is a beautiful and peaceful preserve. If you’re lucky enough to live nearby, it offers breathtaking drops for sunsets and moonrises. A photographer’s dream.
There are many hiking trails from which to choose, from easy to difficult. There are several information boards around the preserve, which give guidance and instruction for hiking and safety.
Even if you don’t like to hike, or have someone with you who doesn’t like or want to hike, still come. They have a cool and educational Nature Trail, which offers up an abundance of information about our desert, its past, and its inhabitants. It’s a flat surface trail; no climbing required; no inclines. It’s also a great place for yoga or meditation. Every time someone comes to visit me, I bring them here.
It’s easily accessible from Thompson Peak Pkwy. Pet and bike-​friendly. Watch out for bees in the summer months. I’ve never used them, but they do have restroom facilities. Plenty of parking. Special parking spaces available for those who car pool.

Love love love the gateway trail at the McDowell mountain preserve! This is the most beautiful well rounded trail in north Scottsdale. With lots of healthy flora and fauna to observe in the fresh desert landscape. 180 valley views and the gateway trail can be done in about an hour!

My rule of thumb is that you can tell what part of town you’re in by whether or not the public restrooms have mirrors. If they have a piece of polished metal or worse yet, a concrete wall, then you’re not in a good area. Old beat up or scratched mirrors, maybe slightly better.
But what about when you’re in a place with public restrooms that look like you’re at a 5-​Star resort? Well that’s a sign that you’re in a really nice place, and that’s what you find at the trailheads of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale!
But enough about the bathrooms, do your business and get outside to see the beautifu scenery that makes you grateful to live in Arizona (or at least that you get the chance to visit). Take a hike or run around the Gateway Loop Trail, hike Tom’s Thumb, or just sit and watch the wildlife. No matter what you do you’ll be out in one of the most beautiful places, and one of the nicest spots, in the entire Valley of the Sun!

Wow, easy free parking, free hike trail maps, well marked and clean trails? Yes please. And the helpful and friendly seniors just waiting to point you in the right direction are the frosting on the (bundt) cake!
The gateway loop trail was moderate to very rigorous going uphill, and moderate on the way down. Before you leave, grab some water and obviously sunglasses, hat, sunscreen.
TIP: Don’t just put the «McDowell Sonoran Reserve» into google maps… it takes you to a different address! If you want to hike the Gateway loop trail, the address is as per Unilocal: 18 333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85 255
Enjoy the view!