Hiking & Biking

A trip to Fountain Hills wouldn’t be complete without hiking or biking in the McDowell Mountains. Quick and easy access to the rich desert landscape is one of the community’s most unique amenities. Thanks to its location, you can be on the trails and immersed in the desert within minutes.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park and the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve offer a generous and connected network of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Dogs on leash are permitted everywhere, horses and e-bikes are permitted in the Regional Park, but they are not permitted in the Preserve. For those looking for a closer or less strenuous adventure, there are a number of trails located in the center of town providing scenic views of the fountain and natural landscape. Explore these trails and more:

Adero Canyon Trailhead

The Adero Canyon Trailhead is accessible from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, and has many amenities, including parking, restrooms, a refillable water station, and a covered ramada with beautiful views for a picnic or just a rest. The trailhead is located at 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr. To get there, follow N Eagle Ridge Dr. from Palisades Blvd. through the Adero Canyon neighborhoods.

Hikers and desert enthusiasts new to the area may enjoy a guided adventure. Check out the free seasonal guided hikes and educational events hosted by the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills. In addition, Trailhead Hosts are on hand most weekends from October through April to help you have the best hiking and biking experiences.

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Golden Eagle Trailhead

The Golden Eagle Trailhead (also known as the Dixie Mine Trailhead) is accessible from dawn to dusk, seven days a week and has a restroom, a small parking lot and on-street parking for overflow. The GPS location for the trailhead is 14597 E Golden Eagle Blvd. To get there, follow Golden Eagle Blvd. to the gate for the Eagle’s Nest community. Golden Eagle Blvd. can be accessed from multiple streets in Fountain Hills.

After a short walk through the Eagle’s Nest community, hikers enter the McDowell Mountain Regional Park (note there is a small fee payable at the entrance) and have endless options to either continue into the Park or join connecting trails into the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve and McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

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Lake Overlook Trail

The Lake Overlook Trail is an easy-to-moderate 2-mile hike that is accessible from the heart of downtown Fountain Hills. Said to be one of the best views in Fountain Hills, this hike rises 300 feet above Fountain Park, offering panoramic views of the Town, Fountain Park, the World Famous Fountain, and the McDowell Mountains, Goldfield, Superstition, and Mazatzal mountains. Looking for more? Add an extra 1.2 miles by walking the tranquil paved pathway around Fountain Lake.

The south trailhead is located at Panorama Blvd. between Vista Del Lago and Diamante Dr. The north trailhead is located at Panorama Blvd. just east of Saguaro Blvd. Download the map or find the route on AllTrails. Restrooms and water filling stations are located near each trailhead. Visitors will also find a parking lot near the south trailhead, and on-street parking is available at both trailheads.

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Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve

Thanks to the foresight of local residents, much of the surrounding McDowell Mountains have been preserved for wildlife and future generations to enjoy. The Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills manages this 824 acres of land as part of the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve.

To learn more, visit www.scfh.org for information about the Conservancy and the many free guided hikes & educational events offered throughout the hiking season (October—April). You can also find a curated list of favorite trails and routes in the Preserve on AllTrails.

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McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Located north of Fountain Hills is McDowell Mountain Regional Park. This Arizona park covers over 20,000 acres with connecting trails into the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve as well as the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. With over 50 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, the park provides plenty of opportunity to explore desert wildlife and view the scenic natural landscape.

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Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden

The 8–acre Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden is a hidden gem nestled into the scenic landscape of Fountain Hills. More than 30 Sonoran Desert plants are identified along the one-mile trail, helping guests recognize and appreciate the rich flora that thrives in this arid ecosystem. Visitors will also find many educational signs thoughtfully placed throughout the Garden, highlighting the area’s unique geology, desert ecology, and local history, including the remains of an abandoned P-Bar Ranch campsite near the historic Keller Tank, a dam constructed by P-Bar ranch hands in 1941.

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Fountain Hills FIT Trails

Fountain Hills has three interconnected FIT trails that take you from Fountain Park through the Civic Center to Golden Eagle Park, near Fountain Hills High School, and around the Sunridge Canyon Golf Club. Additional connecting trails are planned.

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Ready to Ride? Explore Bike Rentals in Fountain Hills, AZ

Most of the hiking trails in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve and McDowell Mountain Regional Park are also suitable for mountain biking. If you’re visiting, rent a road, gravel, or e-bike from McDowell Mountain Cycles (MMC).