Best Observation Deck Glendale Near Me

4worldlovers: THE PARKING LOT OFF OF 67th Ave and Patrick Lane will be closed for improvements.

Be advised: open fires are prohibited in Glendale Parks per Glendale City Code 16-16.

If you witness park violations please contact the Park Ranger at 623-695-3004.

Have You Been Here? If you love getting out in nature, we’ve got the perfect place! Thunderbird Conservation Park has trails for hiking, biking,

Running and even horseback riding! There are also several activities for those who just want a quiet time outside. There’s something for everybody!

Thunderbird Conservation Park, a 1,185-acre park in the Hedgpeth Hills, is a conservation park dedicated to preserving the desert environment. The hills were named for Robert Hedgpeth, an early homesteader in the area. The park took its name from the World War II pilot training facility located four miles south of the park. The city of Glendale acquired the park in 1951 through a lease with the federal government. Ownership came in 1956 with the assistance of the Glendale Women’s Club and Glendale Rotary Club. Maricopa County operated the park from 1963 to 1984 and many of the park improvements were made during this time. In 1984 the park was returned to the city. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging and bird watching. About 15 miles of multi-use trails have been constructed, thanks to the efforts of many volunteer groups.

Trails at Thunderbird Conservation can be crowded during high peak use. With more users comes the need for guidelines for wise trail use. Such guidelines can enable all trail users to have the enjoyable experience everyone is looking for. Remember, courtesy is contagious and, who knows, you may make a new friend! Help us protect this fragile environment by staying on the trails.

Originates at 67th Avenue parking lot at Patrick Lane and concludes at 51st Avenue & Potter. Not designated as a looped trail.

Originates at 55th Ave & Pinnacle Peak parking lot and is a looped trail.

Originates south of Pinnacle Peak parking lot along the Coach Whip trail and ends at Ramadas 14 and 15.

Originates at parking lot A and ends at Coach Whip near 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Rd.

Originates at the North end of the amphitheater, or near Ramada 11. A branch of this trail originates at Ramada 11, travels west and intersects the Coach Whip trail on the west side of the park.

Originates off of the Coach Whip trail and intersects with the Sunrise trail.

Originates at 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane parking lot and concludes at parking lot B.

4worldlovers: This event closes the park’s main roadway, Summit Road, to motor vehicle traffic during these times and the park’s roadways are reserved for non-motorized activities such as walking, cycling, jogging, hiking, etc.

On the 4th Sunday of every month is Silent Sunday, and all-day (5 a.m. to 7 p.m.) road closure into the park.

All vehicles must turn into the Activity Complex and park there. They may hike, bike, stroll on the roads without fear of traffic from public vehicles. Tower workers, City staff and emergency vehicles may be on the roads at any given time, however.

On the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month, there is a shortened Silent Sunday (5 a.m. until 10 a.m.) with the summit road closed at the 1.0 mile marker.

​ This different closure allows visitors to access some trailheads and picnic areas in the lower areas of the park otherwise inaccessible on the 4th Sundays.

Additionally, San Juan Road is closed except during the first full weekend of each month, when it is open all day Saturday and from 10 a.m. to close on Sunday. All of the above are regarding the Central Avenue entrance to the park.

At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation and consists of three mountain ranges - the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. The park boasts more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Additionally, the roadways throughout the park are a favorite for bicyclists.

Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park that is available to the public. Accessed by both hiking trails and Summit Rd., the lookout is popular with tourists and locals, who want to get an unobstructed panoramic view of the Valley.