San Tan Mountain (Malpais Loop)
Rock Peak Wash, San Tan and Malpais Trail Loop · Rock Peak Wash Trailhead
Photo: Owen- Distance
- 7.7 mimi
- Climb
- 534 ftft
- Est. time
- about 2 hours 50 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A long, mostly level loop from the Rock Peak Wash Trailhead on the park's south side, partly in sandy washes below the Malpais Hills.
The Malpais loop starts at the Rock Peak Wash Trailhead on the south side of San Tan Mountain Regional Park and runs through sandy washes below the Malpais Hills. The soft sand slows the pace on long stretches.
- Parking
A parking area at the signed Rock Peak Wash Trailhead, 3.8 miles down Brenner Pass Rd., with a self-pay fee station.
Trailhead: Rock Peak Wash Trailhead.
- Fee
$10/vehicle
$5 per person walking, biking or riding in
- Dogs
- Dogs on leash
- Shade
- Not confirmed yet
- Hazards
- Long stretches in soft, sandy washes, which slow you down.
- Best months
October to April, when the average high in Phoenix is under 90°F.
- Sources
7 sources · last verified Oct 2, 2026. Report a change
Photo: Owen
Where each fact comes from
- San Tan Mountain Regional Park map — Maricopa County Parks (PDF) checked 2026-09-27
- Trails — San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Maricopa County Parks checked 2026-09-24
- Park Fees — Maricopa County Parks and Recreation checked 2026-09-24
- Park Rules — Maricopa County Parks checked 2026-09-24
- Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-09-24
- Rock Peak Wash Trailhead — OpenStreetMap checked 2026-10-02
- San Tan Regional Park, Malpais Trail loop — ArizonaHiking.org (updated July 2016) checked 2026-10-02
Low heat risk · now
73°F now · high 86°
Sunset 5:48p · ~2h 50m hike
As of Today 9:42a · NWS forecast · NWS alerts · NWS HeatRisk
Next 6 days · high / low · NWS HeatRisk today 1 of 4
- Tomorrow89° / 66°
- Wed85° / 70°Rain 63% 6:10a–5:46p
- Thu77° / 66°Rain 76% 6:11a–5p
- Fri74° / 58°
- Sat75° / 55°
- Sun79° / 56°
From the trail
Field notes
Owen · Rock Peak Wash, San Tan and Malpais Trail Loop · Oct 2026
This was a very relaxing loop away from the typical traffic of San Tan Mountain Regional Park. I started from the visitor center lot and made a 9-mile loop all the way out to the Malpais Trail and Rock Peak Wash. Great desert vibes, with saguaros the whole way. I even got a little trail running in, and might be back to run more of it another time. Might be my favorite hike in San Tan so far. You need a regional parks pass or have to pay the entrance fee to get in.
Nearby
East Valley & Superstitions
San Tan Mountain (Goldmine, San Tan and Moonlight Loop)
3.8 mi · 242 ft · Easy · ~1h 25m
$10/vehicle · Dogs on leash
San Tan Mountain (Dynamite and Goldmine Loop)
4.7 mi · 770 ft · Hard · ~1h 55m
$10/vehicle · Dogs on leash
