McDowell Mountain Park

Every month we take a hike along some of the most wondrous trails in the country.

There is something exhilarating, liberating and just magical about getting out in the desert.  The sounds, the smells, the colors – the spell the desert casts at different times of year, different times of the day, different parts of the desert.

The discoveries are endless, and with each hike comes a new adventure.  You just feel so lucky walking along.

But what if you can’t just walk along and enjoy the sights of the desert?  What if you’re too young, or too old, or unable to walk for whatever reason?

Just north of Fountain Hills is McDowell Mountain Regional Park.  The park is loaded with hiking trails, as well as trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.  But what it also has is a wonderful paved road taking you through the park and providing visitors with a desert experience that is almost as wonderful as hiking.

To get to McDowell Mountain Regional Park from Fountain Hills, you drive north on Fountain Hills Boulevard, toward Rio Verde.  The park entrance is about four miles north of the northern edge of Fountain Hills.  Turn left into the park.  There is a $5 entry fee; if there is no ranger, a box with a payment envelope is located on the right side of the road. 

On a recent morning, we went to the park visitor’s center to look around and get some information for a story.  I had never been to the park and decided to drive through to see what trails were available for hiking.

The splendor of the park is right outside your car.  You don’t have to walk to find beauty.  To the east are amazing views of Four Peaks and the Superstitions.  The day was incredibly clear, and Weaver’s Needle seemed to be close enough to touch.

To the north are the Mazatzals, rugged and forbidding.  To the west, the McDowells and to the south, the swooping slopes bordering Fountain Hills.  The vistas in every direction are breathtaking; the scenery makes you wish you could put it in your pocket and take it home.

Follow the park road north, and you will find the immense desert just waiting to be appreciated.  You can roll down the windows and listen to the Gambel’s quail calling.  I heard hummingbirds chizipping along and marveled at the number of ravens cruising around.  There were hawk sightings, as well as buzzards, mockingbirds, white-winged doves and a cactus wren.  I saw one lizard, but the trip was reptile free otherwise.

The Palo Verde trees were dressed in their yellow finest.  Saguaros wore their crowns of white blossoms.  The ironwood’s hazy pink foliage provided a quiet contrast to the bright blue sky.

The ravages from the 1995 “Rio” fire are apparent, but amazingly, there is new life in the park.  The remains of a burned cholla or a charred mesquite tree remind you of the vulnerability of the landscape.

In addition to the beautiful drive through the park, there are two picnic areas with a total of 88 picnic sites, each with a table and grill.  There also are restrooms and playgrounds at the two picnic areas (Ironwood and Palo Verde).  While the picnic areas are open year-round, fire restrictions may be in effect.  Be sure you know whether or not you can use the grill before you light your fire.

There is something a little jarring about even the minutest development in the wild desert.  You look in one direction and see miles of wilderness, untouched earth, pristine landscape.  Turn around, and there are restroom buildings, multi-colored playground equipment and concrete picnic tables.  In some knee-jerk way, those things are offensive.  On further reflection, it makes sense.  The amenities in this public place provide an allure to those who might not otherwise stop and see their surroundings.

There are far more offensive things than hanging out under a ramada, enjoying the breeze, the bird songs, the fleeting scents of desert flowers.  And the fact that anyone can enjoy the desert in any way possible is the reward.

I know I am lucky that my legs carry me where I want to go.  I can get far away from the hustle and bustle of crowds and stress.  But not everybody can do that as easily – or even at all.

So some basic improvements in the middle of the pristine desert level us out.  These improvements enable nearly everybody to enjoy the outdoors.  I can’t wait until it is just too hot to hike in the desert.  I’ll drive up to McDowell Mountain Regional Park and remember that while I can hop out of my car and take a stroll, not everybody can.  And that is why we are so lucky to have such a spot so nearby.

This hike was featured June 2005.