Sunrise Peak

A climb on long switchbacks from the Sunrise Trailhead to a rocky summit at the south end of the McDowell Mountains, with views over Fountain Hills and the Valley.

The Sunrise Trail climbs from the east edge of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on long, steady switchbacks, past an old barbed-wire fence, to the Sunrise Scenic View, a wayside looking west over metro Phoenix. From there it's 0.8 miles more to the summit, where the trail gets rockier among big boulders. The top has a 360-degree view.

Parking

A trailhead lot with drinking water and limited horse-trailer parking.

Trailhead: Sunrise Trailhead (12101 N. 145th Way).

Fee

Free

Dogs

Dogs on leash

Shade

Not confirmed yet

Hazards

• The last stretch to the summit is rockier, among large boulders.

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

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

Where each fact comes from

• McDowell Sonoran Preserve south area trail map — City of Scottsdale (PDF) checked 2026-10-16
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve — City of Scottsdale checked 2026-10-16
• Sunrise Trail — Arizona Highways (Hike of the Month) checked 2026-10-16
• Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-10-16