Best Bachelorette Party Hikes in Scottsdale & Phoenix
Scottsdale has everything you could ever need for a vacation - phenomenal food, fun experiences, and some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country. Whether you’re traveling to Arizona for your girl’s trip, bachelorette or vacation, here’s some of the top hikes to get a taste of everything the Sonoran desert has to offer that aren’t Camelback Mountain.
But before we begin…. always remember to bring your essentials when hiking, even if you’re just planning on a light and easy nature walk. These include: plenty of water (more than you think you’ll need - the desert sun is HOT!), sunscreen, sneakers or sandals with good grip, and a fully charged phone - bonus points if you’ve downloaded your hike map on AllTrails! Most importantly, don’t plan for an afternoon hike during the hot summer months.
Papago Park
Conveniently located just outside Old Town Scottsdale and not far from the PHX airport, Papago Park offers tons of trails at all levels. If you have an hour or two, explore the Papago Buttes trail, a relatively easy dirt trail that takes you around the Papago Park Buttes, large rock formations that look like they came straight from Mars.
If you don’t have a ton of time (or you’re not a big hiker - no shame in that game!), check out Hole in the Rock, a viewpoint that’s a short 5-minute walk from the parking lot that offers stunning views of downtown Phoenix. In the evening, the spot has stunning sunset views of the valley - an absolute must for any visitor!
Papago Park is connected to the Desert Botanical Garden, an absolutely gorgeous living museum dedicated to the plants of the Sonoran desert!
Lost Dog Wash Trail
Nestled in North Scottsdale’s Sonoran McDowell Mountain Preserve, the Lost Dog Wash Trail offers 360° views of the valley and surrounding mountains - giving you a taste of the desert without driving too far! There is a ton of parking available with water and bathrooms at the trailhead, and the lovely volunteers from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy are frequently available to give advice and answer questions. In addition to the Lost Dog Wash Trail, several other trails in the area offer plenty of options for hikers of all levels.
Want to learn more about the wildlife of the Sonoran desert? Not far from the parking lot is the Kovach Family Nature Trail, a short loop that offers tons of information about the plants and animals that call this area their home.
Tom’s Thumb
Looking for an absolute burner of a trail? Tom’s Thumb Trail is the hike for you! It starts off with 1,000 feet of elevation in the first two miles, with tons of switchbacks to get your glutes burning - but it’s so worth it.
Once you get to the top of the mountain, you’ll have gorgeous views of the valley and the surrounding mountain ranges, and there’s a perfect boulder to sit on while you eat a small picnic lunch and enjoy the views.
As the great poet Miley Cyrus once said, “Life’s a climb, but the view from the top is pretty great.”
Dragonfly Trail
If you’re a fan of Saguaro cacti, or you’re staying up in Cave Creek, the Dragonfly Trail is an absolute must! Located in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, this trail has everything: towering saguaros, a creek with running water, tons of dragonflies (hence the name) and more. This is an easy hike that you can do even if you were up late line dancing at Buffalo Chip or watching live music at The Hideaway.