---
title: "McDowell Sonoran Preserve"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/86ca52c6-ecd8-43ca-aa6a-d1e894f98ea4
source_url: "https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve"
stack: https://stacklist.com/stack/ecfae0fe-1596-49f9-b5db-6b775e7976bf
summary: "Scottsdale Preserve is a 30,500-acre urban desert preserve offering 230+ miles of trails for outdoor recreation while emphasizing critical safety precautions for extreme heat, wildlife encounters, and pet protection. The guide provides comprehensive guidelines for hikers and bikers including hydration protocols, appropriate clothing, timing recommendations, and warnings about heat exhaustion and rattlesnakes."
tags: "scottsdale-preserve, desert-hiking, heat-safety, outdoor-recreation, wildlife-protection, trail-guidelines"
key_entities: "McDowell Sonoran Preserve (location), Scottsdale (location), Brown's Ranch Trailhead (location), City of Scottsdale (organization), McDowell Sonoran Conservancy (organization), Preserve Department (organization), Sonoran Desert ecosystem (concept), heat-exhaustion (concept), wildlife-habitat (concept)"
classification: "reference"
content_hash: "sha256:ea9e45cf78cdfaadecfc31419ad9f7d0614755826b02c8cb01d43999c5f09607"
acp_version: "0.2"
token_counts_approximate: 3160
visibility: public
agent_accessible: true
status: "final"
---

# McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead Closure Brown's Ranch Trailhead is closed for improvements. Brown's Ranch Trailhead The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one of the largest permanently protected urban desert preserves in the world, encompassing more than 30,500 acres and over 230 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The Preserve Department protects critical Sonoran Desert ecosystems, preserves wildlife habitat, and provides exceptional outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities for residents and visitors. Through strategic land stewardship, the City of Scottsdale advances biodiversity conservation, enhances public access, and ensures the long-term sustainability of this signature community asset. Heat Warning The desert can be deadly for both you and your pet. Every year, hikers suffer serious illness or death from heat exposure. Protect yourself and reduce the risk to search and rescue teams. Choose cooler activities: visit a library, swim at a local pool,or explore a museum. Hike before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Bring essentials: water, food, layers, sun protection, first aid kit, sturdy shoes, navigation tools, multi-tool, flashlight/headlamp, emergency shelter Wear appropriate clothing: hat, long sleeves, long pants Drink water and electrolyte beverages Eat salty snacks and carbohydrates Use sun protection Tell someone your route Choose a shorter trail Stay on designated trails Leave pets at home Bring a fully charged phone and call 911 in an emergency Extreme Heat is Expected For your safety, please check the weather forecast and take necessary precautions before choosing to enter the Preserve. And please be especially aware if you plan to bring your dog. The desert heat can kill them with little or no warning, and you could be charged with animal cruelty under State law. Here are some guidelines that will help you stay safe in the Preserve and reduce your risk of needing to be rescued: Visit the Preserve early in the day. Gates open roughly 30 minutes before sunrise. Bring ample water for you and your dog. When it is half gone, turn around. Begin hydrating your body prior to your outing, even the night before. Check the hourly weather forecast BEFORE bringing your dog to the Preserve. If it will be more than 90 degrees during your outing, leave your dog at home. Plan a route that fits your physical abilities and the expected weather conditions. Take a map with you. Bring your fully-charged cell phone. Be alert and watch for rattlesnakes. Wear sturdy footwear, a hat, sunscreen, and light-colored clothing that covers your skin. The Heat is On Starting in May to about September, we will be experiencing triple digit temperatures almost every day. Please take the necessary precautions to ensure you have an enjoyable time. Start your activity early Two hours before your activity, drink at least two (2) cups of water Drink five (5) ounces of water every 15 minutes during your activity If you are halfway done with your water, turn around After your activity, rehydrate with electrolytes and water   Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke PLEASE leave your dog at home; they cannot regulate heat effectively Reminder, that the desert heat can kill you. Please ensure you are ready and capable to explore the Preserve during this time. Rattlesnakes in the Preserve Rattlesnakes are an important part of the Preserve ecosystem and are a protected species. The Preserve is a wild area inhabited by a variety of wild animals, which are inherently unpredictable. While you visit their natural habitat, it is important to understand these tips to assure a safe experience. Guided Hikes We will be resuming hikes in October. For information on guided hikes of Scottsdale's Preserve, visit the Natural Resources Coordinator Guided Hikes or the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Electric Bikes Prohibited Electric bikes are not allowed in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Electric Scooters, motorized bicycles, electric bicycles or any other non-self-propelled vehicle or device (excluding motorized wheelchairs) are prohibited on Preserve trails pursuant to Chapter 21 and Section 17-86(a) of the Scottsdale Revised Code. Exceptions may be approved for individuals with a mobility disability who require a modification. To request a modification and apply for an exception, please fill out our request form here . For further information or any questions, please email preserve@ScottsdaleAZ.gov . Trail Maps View/Download View South Area Map (PDF) Watch Video Gateway, Tom's Thumb, Lost Dog Wash, Sunrise, Ringtail Trailheads View North/Central Area Map (PDF) Watch Video Brown's Ranch, Pima Dynamite, Granite Mountain, Fraesfield, Tom's Thumb Trailheads Hard Copy You can pick up hard copies at any of the trailhead locations or at: Indian Bend Wash Visitor Center 4201 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Trailheads Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 33° 45' 41.70"N, 111° 50' 32.06"W Parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, interpretive signage, water, horse trailer parking, hitching rails, water trough, accessible Jane Rau Nature Trail Watch Video Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 33°44'46.0"N 111°47'42.0"W Car and horse trailer parking, restrooms, shade ramada, interpretive and orientation signs, no drinking water Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 33° 38' 56.23"N, 111° 51' 32.96"W Parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, water, accessible Bajada Nature Trail, horse-trailer parking, hitching rails, water trough, interpretive signage Watch Video Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 33° 46' 12.52"N, 111° 47' 18.14"W Car and horse trailer parking, restrooms, shade ramada, interpretive and orientation signs, no drinking water Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85259 33° 35' 58.75"N, 111° 48' 46.77"W Parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, water, horse-trailer parking, hitching rails, water trough, directional signage, accessible nature trail. Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Entrances off of Dynamite Road and Pima Road. 33° 44' 32.96"N, 111° 53' 15.23"W Parking including some extended parking stalls, restrooms, shade ramadas, interpretive signage, water, horse trailer parking, hitching rails, water trough. Quartz Trailhead SW corner of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and 104th St. 33° 37' 37.62"N, 111° 51' 23.55"W Parking, no drinking water Ringtail Trailhead 12300 block of N. 128th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85259 33° 35' 56.38"N, 111° 48' 17.21"W Parking, no drinking water Sunrise Trailhead 12101 N. 145th Way Scottsdale, AZ 85259 33° 35' 45.72"N, 111° 46' 3.9"W Parking, water, directional signage, limited horse-trailer parking, hitching rails, water trough, shade ramada (overflow lot) Tom's Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 33° 41' 21.29"N, 111° 48' 5.305"W Car and horse trailer parking, restrooms, shade ramada, interpretive signs, no drinking water Watch Video WestWorld 15939 N. 98th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 33° 37' 50.1"N, 111° 52' 11.57"W Horse-trailer parking, water trough, shade ramada, restrooms, public arenas, directional signage. Access the Preserve via the WestWorld trail to the Quartz or Taliesin Trails. Videos Introduction Gateway Tom's Thumb Brown's Ranch Preserve Introduction Gateway Trailhead Tom's Thumb Trailhead Brown's Ranch Trailhead Southern Mountain Region Gateway Loop Trail Marcus Landslide Jane Rau Trail 25th Anniversary Celebration Bajada Nature Trail Saguaro Loop Trail Hours The Preserve is open everyday, sunrise to sunset, free of charge . All trailheads open and close at specific times throughout the year. Please observe all rules and regulations including no alcohol, smoking or fires. Dogs Rules Dogs in the Preserve are a privilege. If you bring your dog, it is your responsibility to follow the rules: If it is over 90 degrees at any time in your hike, it's too hot for your dog. Dogs must be on handheld leash, no longer than six (6) feet at all times. Waste must be pick up immediately and disposed of in a trash container or carried with you until you reach a trash container. Loose or bagged waste on the trail is prohibited. Heat Warning for Dog Owners Dogs do not actually sweat. They exchange heat through panting and to a minor degree, through their feet pads. Additionally, our canine friends do not tolerate high environmental temperatures as well as humans do. Risk groups The risk groups are much the same as humans: old, obese, suffer from medical conditions or take medicine. Certain breeds are more susceptible to heat emergencies than other breeds. These breeds with a broad, short skull: Boxers, Bulldogs, Pugs, etc. Causes of heat emergency in dogs Strenuous exercise in hot, humid weather Elevated temperatures from atmospheric temps and hot surface contact Sidewalk/natural rock surface can radiate very high temps 90 degree atmospheric temp/ potential surface temp of 135 degrees Warning Signs Begins with heavy panting/signs of difficulty breathing Tongue/gums appears bright red with thick saliva Skin elasticity (when pinched, does not snap back) Worsens if dog vomits, becomes unsteady, lethargic, unwilling to move (Core temp in the 104 degree range) Heat Stroke : lips/membranes become blue/gray Rapid on-set collapse, seizure, unconsciousness and death What to do Immediate cooling of body with water, cool packs to groin, where legs meet the body, neck Remove from heat immediately Get to Veterinarian (Consequences of heat emergency = kidney failure, heart irregularities, other system failures, death) View List of Nearby Veterinarian Clinics Prevention Know your dog's limitations/abilities Assess the environmental conditions Carry plenty of water for both you and your dog Cool vests and trail booties for dogs are available and are very efficient Permits Special Use A Special Use Permit is required for special activities and organized events including professional photograph sessions and filming, family portrait sessions, car photograph sessions, special events, weddings and other ceremonies, and community club activities such as group hikes and rides. Please fill out a special use permit request form to begin the process. It typically takes 7 to 10 business days for a permit to be issued. Call 480-312-7013 for more information or read the Preserve's Special Use Guidelines (PDF) . Guiding Guiding is allowed in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with a permit. Permits are granted through an application process held once a year. 2026 Schedule The application process is currently closed. We will be accepting applications again in June 2027. June 1, 12:01 a.m. - Online application period opens for the following season. Applications will not be accepted before this date. July 1, 5 p.m. - Applications due. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. You can submit an application by visiting the Preserve Guiding Permit Application page. --> Upon approval of an application, a permit fee of $150 must be paid, plus pre-paid use days equal to $5 per client and a $10 Administrative Fee. Permits will be valid for one year, from Aug. 1 to July 31. Please read the Preserve's Guidelines for Guiding Permits (PDF) for more information. For more information or questions please email us . You may also call 480-312-7013. Thank you! Possession of Firearms in the Preserve According to laws of the State of Arizona and the City of Scottsdale, it is legal to possess guns in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and to carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit. However, it is illegal to discharge firearms in the Scottsdale Preserve, except for purposes of self-defense or the defense of others, or as otherwise permitted by law. Hunting with firearms is prohibited. Preserve Links Preserve Hours Preserve History Archery Hunting McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission Preserve Ordinance McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Community Services Rates and Fees (PDF) Preserve Projects Phase 3 Trail Corridor Plan Phase 2C Corridor Plan Cultural Resource Master Plan (PDF) Preserve Ecological Resource Plan (PDF) Last Updated: Jul 20, 2026 Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve 4201 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Email Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve 480-312-7013 Visit Scottsdale Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve on Instagram City of Scottsdale Upcoming Holidays Holiday Name Holiday Date Observed On Additional Info: Thanksgiving is observed on Thurs & Fri. Close Back to Top