Granite Mountain Loop

A mostly flat loop around Granite Mountain in the northern McDowell Sonoran Preserve, from a trailhead with restrooms but no drinking water.

The loop circles Granite Mountain on mostly flat ground, so it's a long walk rather than a climb, with views of the mountain from every side and the desert around it. It's popular and gets heavy traffic. The Granite Mountain Trailhead has restrooms and a shade ramada but no drinking water, so bring all you'll need.

Parking

Car and horse-trailer parking, restrooms and a shade ramada; no drinking water.

Trailhead: Granite Mountain Trailhead (31402 N. 136th St.).

Fee

Free

Dogs

Dogs on leash

Shade

Not confirmed yet

Hazards

• No drinking water at the trailhead or on the loop.

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 north trail map · City of Scottsdale (PDF)

Sources

4 sources · last verified Oct 16, 2026. Report a change

Where each fact comes from

• McDowell Sonoran Preserve north area trail map — City of Scottsdale (PDF) checked 2026-10-16
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve — City of Scottsdale checked 2026-10-16
• Granite Mountain Loop — 10Adventures checked 2026-10-16
• Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-10-16