Best National Reserve Tempe Near Me

4worldlovers: To be recognized as a premier education and recreation resource in Arizona while:

To promote awareness and appreciation of Arizona’s ecology and natural history, mainly desert and riparian environments, through:

Research and development of strategies to preserve and protect these unique environments

Interpretative Excellence (Indirect Education): To provide the best possible interpretative experience for all visitors seeking education and/or recreation-leisure time.

Education Excellence (Direct Education): To provide the best possible facilities to accommodate education experiences for lifelong learning.

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.