Mountain Biking — McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in northeast Scottsdale protects over 36,000 acres of upper Sonoran Desert and contains one of the finest dedicated singletrack mountain biking networks in the American Southwest, with more than 225 miles of designated trail within the preserve and connected Maricopa County trail system. The terrain is high Sonoran Desert at its most characteristic — dense saguaro cactus stands, palo verde, and cholla punctuated by granite boulder fields and sandy wash crossings — at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 4,000 feet, with sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains and the broader Phoenix metropolitan basin. Signature trails include the Pemberton Trail, a 15-mile loop through diverse desert terrain that represents a strong intermediate test, and the Sunrise Trail, which climbs to elevated viewpoints before descending through technical rocky switchbacks. More advanced riders gravitate to the Gateway Loop and Tom's Thumb Trail approaches for sustained challenges involving loose granite slabs, technical rock gardens, and exposed slab descents. The preserve network connects seamlessly across the Gateway, Bell Pass, Tom's Thumb, and Brown's Ranch trailheads, enabling multi-hour and full-day custom route combinations suited to any fitness level above beginner. Mountain bikes can be rented from local outlets near the Gateway Trailhead, including Scottsdale Bicycle, which offers full-suspension trail bikes for approximately $40-80 per day. Guided mountain bike tours with certified guides are available for riders seeking trail orientation in the large network. October through April represents the peak riding season with pleasant morning temperatures; summer riding is possible but requires extremely early starts before sunrise, as afternoon desert heat between May and September renders the trails dangerously hot for most of the day. Trail access is free, with large paved trailhead parking areas at Gateway, Tom's Thumb, and Brown's Ranch.