Gateway Loop

A rocky loop into the foothills of the McDowell Mountains from Gateway, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's main trailhead in Scottsdale.

Gateway is the Preserve's main trailhead, with water and shade structures, and this loop climbs about 700 feet into the McDowell foothills and back. The Preserve covers more than 30,500 acres, one of the largest protected urban desert preserves in the world.

Parking

A trailhead lot with water and shade structures.

Trailhead: Gateway Trailhead (18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.).

Fee

Free

Dogs

Dogs on leash

Shade

Not confirmed yet

Hazards

• No specific hazards recorded beyond desert heat.

Best months

1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D

October to April, when the average high in Phoenix is under 90°F.

Trail map

McDowell Sonoran Preserve south trail map · City of Scottsdale (PDF)

Sources

5 sources · last verified Sep 24, 2026. Report a change

Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0

Where each fact comes from

• McDowell Sonoran Preserve south area trail map — City of Scottsdale (PDF) checked 2026-09-27
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve — City of Scottsdale checked 2026-09-24
• Gateway Trailhead — OpenStreetMap checked 2026-09-24
• Hiking Trail Review: Gateway Loop Trail — Explore Magazine (undated) checked 2026-09-24
• Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-09-24