What to Know About the Pinnacle Peak Park Trail in Scottsdale, AZ

The Pinnacle Peak Park Trail is an out and back, moderate level hike that offers panoramic views of Scottsdale and the surrounding area.

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When my husband and I visited Scottsdale, AZ, in May 2023, we knew we wanted to do some hiking. There are a variety of hiking trails in and around the Scottsdale area, ranging from difficult to easy. We wanted a medium level hike that would challenge us, but that didn’t require extra training or equipment. After researching some options, we made plans to do the Pinnacle Peak Park Trail hike.

About the Pinnacle Peak Park Trail

• Trailhead Address: 26802 N. 102nd Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 (Takes you to Pinnacle Peak Park)
• Parking: There are 90 parking spaces, but they fill up quickly (often by 8am). If the lot is full, you will have to park on the street.
• Park Hours: Varies depending on the time of year. Opens as early as 5am and closes as late as 8pm in the summer. Winter month hours are closer to 7am-5:30pm. Check here for exact open/close times during your visit.
• Bathrooms: Yes, there are bathrooms at the trailhead, but none on the trail.
• Water station: Yes, there is a water refill station and drinking fountains at the trailhead, but none on the trail.
• Stroller/Wheelchair Friendly: No, the hike is not paved, rocky and gains elevation shortly after starting.
• Kid-Friendly: There is a portion of the hike, maybe 1/4 mile, that has some illustrated displays of a cute storybook. It’s called Hug Me and it’s about a cactus. After the last display, the hike starts getting much more difficult. Use your judgement, but I wouldn’t take kids younger than 8 past the last display unless they are used to hiking.
• Length of Hike: 4.1 miles round trip
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 1020 ft
• Best Time to Go: Early morning. The hike starts on the east side of the mountain so you will be in the sun at the beginning, but if you start early enough, you’ll enjoy some shade on the other side.
• Time to Complete: Estimates vary. I’ve seen as short as 1.5 hours up to 2.5 hrs, but I think it just depends on your physical capabilities, how fast of a hiker you are, if the trail is crowded and how many times you stop.

Why You Should Do the Pinnacle Peak Park Trail

This hike will definitely get your heart pumping! Whether you go one mile up the trail and come back, or do the full hike, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment afterwards.

If you want an amazing view of the surrounding Scottsdale area, then this hike will over-deliver. A little past the half-mile marker, you will get a panorama of the valley and McDowell Mountain. From Owls Rest (one mile up the trail), you can make out Camelback Mountain in the distance.

Wildlife sightings are common on this trail. You will have the chance to see Chuckwalla lizards, rattlesnakes, Cactus Wrens, Gambel’s Quail and roadrunners *meep meep* (source)

What to Expect on the Pinnacle Peak Park Trail

After parking, I suggest stopping by the small building near the head of the trail. There are often volunteers there who can answer questions, give tips and have maps. (Download a digital version here.) This is also where you will find the bathrooms and water refill stations.

When you start on the trail, it starts gaining in elevation pretty quickly. The trail is easy to see but there are a lot of rocks and dirt that can make it slick. As you climb, you will also see switchbacks and narrow areas of the trail.

There isn’t a lot of shade or protection from the sun except for some areas where the sun is behind the mountain. However, if you start hiking later in the day, you will be in the sun for a good part of it. Sunscreen and water are essential to preventing heat related problems.

The last part of the trail is fairly flat and borders a neighborhood. The trail itself is owned and managed by the city of Scottsdale but it is private property on either side of the fence. There is a bench at the end of the trail where you can hydrate, eat a snack and gear up for the hike back.

What to Bring With You on Your Hike

As with any hike, it’s important to be prepared. This hike isn’t out in the middle of nowhere, but it would not be quick or easy to get to you if you run into a problem. That’s why I’ve listed out the best things to bring with you on your hike.

• Water bottle -refillable or disposable (I love this brand for durable refillable water bottles.)
• Snacks
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hiking shoes or sturdy shoes with good traction
• Hiking poles
• Hat
• Small hiking backpack

This hike is rated as moderate. My husband and I are in good condition and there were still areas that felt pretty tough. Use your best judgement and if you need to turn around before getting to the end, do it.

Overall, we really liked the Pinnacle Peak Park Trail hike. It challenged us without being too technical or difficult. Because it was a new trail for us, and we weren’t in a hurry to do it, we took a little over 2 hours to complete. I would definitely recommend this hike if you are visiting the Scottsdale area.

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Looking for more ideas of what to do in the Scottsdale area? Check out these posts:

• Must-See Exhibits at the OdySea Aquarium
• E-bike Tour with Pedego Bikes
• Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Review