Fall Hiking Season in Phoenix: When It Cools Down and Where to Start

Fall hiking season in Phoenix usually starts in October, once the last 100-degree day passes. The National Weather Service puts the average last 100-degree day at Sky Harbor around October 5, so by late October most mornings are comfortable on the trail. The season tends to run through spring.

I hear the same question every fall from people who just moved here: "When can I finally get outside?" After a long summer of running from the car to the air conditioning, the first cool morning feels like a reward. Here is what I tell my clients about when the season really starts, where to go first, and the city rules that are good to know before you lace up.

When does it cool down enough to hike in Phoenix?

The National Weather Service office in Phoenix keeps the long-term temperature records for Sky Harbor. Using the 1991 to 2020 normals, the average last 100-degree day of the year is October 5, and the average first 100-degree day comes back around May 2. That leaves a long stretch in the middle when hiking is a pleasure instead of a test.

Some years run late. The latest last 100-degree day on record was October 27, 2016, so a warm week in October is not unusual. A good rule is to watch the forecast rather than the calendar. As we get closer to Halloween, daytime highs usually settle into the 80s, and that is when the trailheads fill up on weekend mornings.

One more thing newcomers notice: Arizona does not change its clocks. When the rest of the country falls back on November 1, 2026, we stay on Mountain Standard Time all year. I wrote more about that in Does Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Why some trails close on hot days

If you moved here in summer, you may have seen trail gates closed in the middle of the day. That is the City of Phoenix Trail Heat Safety Program. On days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, the city restricts certain trails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The list includes Echo Canyon and Cholla on Camelback Mountain, the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and its connecting trails, and a few trails at South Mountain: Holbert, Mormon, the Hau'pal Loop and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead.

The closures are tied to heat warnings, not a fixed calendar. The city reported 45 closure days in 2024, between May 1 and October 13. So an early October heat wave can still close trails, but once the warnings stop, these trails are open all day.

Where to start: Phoenix's big preserves

Phoenix has more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves and more than 200 miles of trails, according to the city. That is a lot of choice for a new resident. The city's main hiking areas include:

• South Mountain Park/Preserve on the south side, with more than 100 miles of trails.
• Piestewa Peak and Dreamy Draw in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, close to central Phoenix.
• Camelback Mountain, home of the steep Echo Canyon and Cholla trails.
• North Mountain and Shaw Butte in north-central Phoenix.
• Papago Park, also on the city's list of desert parks.
• Sonoran Preserve in north Phoenix, more than 9,600 acres with 36 miles of trails from three trailheads.
• Deem Hills Recreation Area, almost 1,000 acres of desert in the northwest.
• Lookout Mountain and Shadow Mountain, two smaller summits on the city list.

The city rates its trails from easiest (paved and flat) to extremely difficult. Camelback is famous, but it is not where I would send someone for their first desert hike. Start with an easier rated trail, learn how your body handles the dry air, and work up from there.

The city's "Take a Hike. Do it Right." checklist

The City of Phoenix says more than 200 hikers are rescued from its desert and mountain parks and preserves each year. Its safety checklist is simple and worth following even in cool weather:

• Watch the weather. Hike in the cooler early morning or evening hours.
• Dress for it. Good shoes, a hat and sunscreen. The sun is strong here even in November.
• Bring more water than you think you need. Drink before you go, and turn back before you have used up your water.
• Carry a phone.
• Team up. If you hike alone, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
• Be honest about your limits. Don't push yourself.
• Stay on designated trails.

Hiking with your dog

Fall is a great time to bring the dog along, with a few city rules. Dogs are not allowed on Phoenix trails when the temperature is over 100 degrees. A leash of 6 feet or shorter is required, and you need to pick up and carry out waste. The city also suggests a quick test: lay your hand flat on the ground for 10 seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog.

Living close to the trails

For a lot of my buyers, being near a trailhead is high on the wish list. Some like a central Phoenix spot near Piestewa Peak, some want north Phoenix near the Sonoran Preserve, and others look in Scottsdale. My Moving to Phoenix guide and Moving to Scottsdale guide are good places to compare areas, and the cost of living in Phoenix page helps with the bigger picture.

Questions people ask

What is the best month to hike in Phoenix?
Most people find late October through March the most comfortable. Highs usually drop into the 80s by late October, and summer heat does not return until around May.

Are Phoenix trails closed in October?
Usually not, but they can be. Certain trails close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only on days with an Extreme Heat Warning, and in 2024 the last closure day was October 13.

Can I bring my dog on Phoenix hiking trails?
Yes, on a leash of 6 feet or shorter, but not when it is over 100 degrees. Always bring water for your dog and pick up after them.

What is an easy first hike in Phoenix?
Start with a trail the city rates as easy, such as a paved or flat route, before trying steep summits like Camelback. The city's trail pages list the rating for each trail.

Terry Day, REALTOR®, DeLex Realty, 10115 E Bell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.