Sonoran Preserve

Great views, moderate hikes.

Very nice little trail for some quick walk.

The sky was awash with clouds and we were looking for a place to see sunset far from the miles of concrete and freeways. The parking lot of the Desert Vista trailhead leading up into the Sonoran preserve, with a Vista downhill to the setting son was perfect. We saw a handful of people parking or already on the trail leading uphill on their way to see the sunset from a higher vantage. We found our spot in the chaparral, taking in the changing light of a magnificent 360 sunset over the next hour.

Sonoran Preserve is basically Disneyland for dirt lovers. Massive parking lot, which is a blessing because apparently the entire city of Phoenix had the same idea as you. But don’t worry, once you’re a mile in, it’s just you, the lizards, and your questionable life choices. The trail system? Stupid good. You can chain together loops like you're playing some kind of outdoor Choose Your Own Adventure, except instead of dragons and treasure, it's dehydration and glute cramps. Trails are well maintained, clearly marked, and full of opportunities to feel way more athletic than you actually are. Tons of peaks to climb if you're into pain and snacks with a view. I highly recommend hauling your ass up one, pretending you're the main character in a wilderness movie, then immediately sitting down to eat like it’s your reward for surviving a slight incline. Hike it, run it, bike it, whatever your flavor of suffering is, this place delivers. Five stars. Come early, bring water, and don’t trust the breeze. It’s lying.

The Sonoran Desert, stretching across parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico, is one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world, known for its iconic saguaro cacti, dramatic sunsets, and vibrant wildlife. Nestled within this remarkable ecosystem is the Jewel of the Creek Preserve in Cave Creek, Arizona a hidden gem that showcases the desert’s surprising richness. This 26.6-acre preserve, managed by the Desert Foothills Land Trust, features the rare, year-round flow of Cave Creek and a lush riparian habitat of cottonwoods and willows, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding arid landscape. Visitors can enjoy the Dragonfly Trail, a scenic loop offering a glimpse into the thriving plant and animal life that make the Sonoran Desert so unique.