Hike through forests of saguaro cacti on 20 miles of trails in this 10,200-acre Sonoran Desert park, where ancient Hohokam agricultural fields still remain visible.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park covers 10,200 acres of Sonoran Desert terrain southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. Walk through forests of towering saguaro cacti on the 2.5-mile Goldmine Trail, climb to the 2,500-foot summit of the Malpais Hills, or explore ancient Hohokam agricultural rockpile fields. The park's nine trails wind past desert wildlife habitats where coyotes roam and native birds nest among the cacti.
The park lies 30 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix in Pinal County, with three entrance points on the north, east, and south sides. The main entrance at Phillips Road includes the visitor center and primary parking area. You'll need to pay a $7 vehicle entry fee or $2 for walk-ins.
Nine multi-use trails create an interconnected network spanning over 20 miles. The Goldmine Trail (2.5 miles) leads you to the park's highest point through steep, rocky terrain. For an easier walk, take the Little Leaf Trail (0.7 mile) or Stargazer Trail (0.8 mile). The San Tan Trail extends 6.4 miles and forms an 8-mile loop when combined with the Goldmine Trail section.
The park's elevation ranges from 1,400 to 2,500 feet. Saguaro cacti grow throughout the terrain, alongside agaves, yuccas, and chollas. You'll likely see coyotes, small mammals, reptiles, and many bird species during your visit. During the monsoon season (June to September), the park receives about 60% of its annual 8.95 inches of rainfall.
The visitor center, built in 2005, has indoor and outdoor desert-animal exhibits, restrooms, drinking fountains, and a gift shop. From May through October, the nature center opens Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 2 pm. Winter hours (November through April) run from 8 am to 4 pm daily. The park itself stays open from sunrise to sunset, with specific seasonal hours.
You can hike, mountain bike, and ride horses on most trails. Join stargazing programs on select Saturday nights. Winter brings moderate temperatures ideal for longer hikes. Spring rains often bring wildflower blooms across the park.
Between 1100-1450 A.D., Hohokam people grew agaves, yuccas, and chollas in this area. Their rockpile agricultural fields remain visible throughout the park. The modern park began in 1986 on 6,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management land and expanded by 3,400 acres in the 1990s.
Tell us about it! Is it place worth visiting, are you coming back?
