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Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Brown's ranch trailhead available
for public use starting Monday, JUne 10

The City of Scottsdale’s Brown’s Ranch Trailhead will be available for public use beginning on Monday, June 10th at sunrise. The trailhead is located at 
30301 North Alma School Parkway (on Alma School, approximately 1 mile north of Dynamite Boulevard). The new facility includes parking for 200 passenger vehicles, restrooms, shade ramadas, drinking water, and interpretive and directional signs. The trailhead also has an equestrian staging area with 24 horse trailer parking spaces, hitching rails, a water trough, and a shade ramada.
 
While the trailhead will be available for public use beginning on June 10th, we will continue to put on the finishing touches through the summer. A grand opening celebration is planned for October 19th, when cooler temperatures return.

The Brown’s Ranch Trailhead provides access to approximately 55 miles of new and rebuilt multi-use, non-motorized trails. These trails are part of the first phase of trail improvements in this area, and offer many opportunities for loop hikes and rides of various lengths, and provide access to popular destinations such as Brown’s Mountain Summit, Cathedral Rock, and Balanced Rock. Future phases of trail improvements will expand the trails system to the north and west of the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
 
NORTHERN PRESERVE TRAIL MAP
The trail map of the first phase is available at the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead free of charge, and can be viewed and downloaded here.

Specific gate opening and closing times can be found here.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve is like no other place in the Valley. It is unique geologically. It is home to stunning geography, lush cacti forests and diverse wildlife. It features award-winning trails and facilities.

See for yourself. Now is a great time to explore the preserve, stretched across roughly 27,800 scenic acres of Scottsdale.

The Preserve encompasses the McDowell Mountains, where recent discoveries are causing geologists to rethink how this region formed and evolved. New trails and amenities are bringing Scottsdale’s “mountains of discovery” closer to residents and visitors. Check them out! 

Frequently Requested Information

PRESERVE TRAIL GUIDE

Many questions about the Preserve can be answered in this guide.

Trail Maps
-Large Map (McDowell Mtns)

Preserve Areas
-Lost Dog/Sunrise
-Gateway/Tom's Thumb
-Brown's Ranch/Granite Mtn

Inset Maps
-Gateway Trailhead
-Brown's Ranch Trailhead
-Tom's Thumb Trailhead

Pickup a map/Have a map mailed
Hours
-Open Everyday
-Sunrise to Sunset

Gate Schedule
How Do I Get There?
Location and amenity information 
Fees
Entry into the Preserve is free
for non-commerical use.
Dogs
Must remain on a leash at all times
and waste must be picked up.
Phone
(480) 312-7013

 General Preserve Rules

 

Latest News

-Tom's Thumb Trailhead is NOW OPEN!
-McDowell Sonoran Preserve Update - September 2012
-Major Acquisitions in November 2012 Add to Preserve
-Brown's Ranch Trailhead Update
-Temporary Closure in Northern Preserve

More News...

How to Get to the Preserve

You can access the trails in the Preserve from multiple trailheads around the Preserve's perimeter.

TRAIL MAPS

You can pickup trail maps at the trailheads or the following locations:

 

 

Name Address
City of Scottsdale
Community Services Office

7447 E. Indian School Rd. Ste 300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
MAP

McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Office

16435 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
MAP

The maps can also be mailed to you by calling (480) 312-7013.

For information on guided tours of Scottsdale's Preserve, visit the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy's website at www.mcdowellsonoran.org.

Contact

The City of Scottsdale coordinates all activities involving the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  For more information call:

(480) 312-7013