The second highest summit in Phoenix's mountain parks after Camelback, Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak) offers an intense rocky scramble on the popular Summit Trail #300 with outstanding city views and a genuine workout for a short distance.
Piestewa Peak Summit Trail (Trail #300) is one of the most challenging and popular urban hikes in Phoenix, ascending 380 meters in just 1.9 km one way to the 2,610-foot summit of Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. The trailhead is located at the end of Squaw Peak Drive in the Phoenix Mountains Recreation Area, approximately 5 miles north of downtown Phoenix; parking in the main lot is free but fills rapidly from 6am onward on weekends. No permits are required.
The trail begins on a well-marked rocky path that steepens progressively through lower switchbacks before transitioning to open scrambling on granite boulders in the upper half. The surface is natural granite and decomposed granite gravel in the lower section, with exposed bedrock requiring careful footing on the upper ridge. Multiple fixed metal handrails assist on the steepest boulder sections near the summit. The trail is almost entirely exposed with little shade at any point.
The summit offers expansive views across the Phoenix metropolitan area including downtown Phoenix skyscrapers, South Mountain, the McDowell Mountains to the northeast, and Camelback Mountain to the east. The summit is marked with a USGS survey marker. The trail and peak were renamed from Squaw Peak in 2003 to honor Army Specialist Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman killed in combat in U.S. military history, who came from a Hopi family in Tuba City, Arizona.
Summit Trail #300 is among the most hiked trails per mile in the United States, with thousands of users daily during winter months. Rescue operations for heat emergencies are frequent in warm months; the trail sees more search-and-rescue incidents than many wilderness areas due to its combination of demanding terrain and accessibility to inexperienced urban hikers.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Phoenix
- Best season
- October to April (avoid May through September due to extreme heat)
Highlights
- Phoenix skyline views
- Short intense workout
- Rocky scramble sections
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by 5:30–6am on weekend mornings November through April to secure parking; the lot fills completely by 7am.
- Carry at least 1.5 liters of water even for this short climb — the intense grade and full sun exposure cause significant fluid loss.
- The trail is extremely busy; be patient on narrow sections and yield to descending hikers where the path requires single file.
- Summer hiking should be limited to before 6am — heat emergencies are common and park staff discourage visits after 8am from May through September.
- The upper boulder sections require full use of hands; a small daypack is preferable to a handheld bag to keep both hands free.
- Trekking poles are helpful on the descent to protect knees on the sustained rocky downgrade.
When to visit
October through April are the safest and most comfortable months; weekday mornings avoid the worst parking congestion and trail crowding.
Accessibility
The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The trail climbs on rough granite from the start with increasing steepness, loose gravel, and boulder scrambling requiring full mobility. The lower Phoenix Mountains Preserve area near the parking lot has paved, level paths suitable for visitors with mobility limitations.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail compared to Camelback Mountain?
Both trails are rated hard and involve scrambling with metal handholds. Piestewa Peak has slightly less elevation gain (380 m vs 490 m for Echo Canyon) and a marginally less technical scramble, though the sustained steep gradient makes it comparably demanding for most hikers.
Is parking free at Piestewa Peak?
Yes — the main parking lot at Squaw Peak Drive is free. However, it fills completely by 7am on weekends from October through April, requiring early arrival or use of rideshare services.
Why was the trail renamed from Squaw Peak?
The peak was renamed Piestewa Peak in 2003 to honor Army Specialist Lori Piestewa, a Hopi woman from Tuba City, Arizona, who became the first Native American woman killed in combat in U.S. military history during the 2003 Iraq War.
Is Piestewa Peak Summit Trail open year-round?
The trail is technically open year-round, but the City of Phoenix and Phoenix Mountain Parks strongly discourage hiking when temperatures exceed 100°F, typically May through September. Heat emergencies are among the most common incidents requiring rescue on this trail.