Are dogs allowed on South Mountain National Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on South Mountain National Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike South Mountain National Trail?

No, South Mountain National Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is South Mountain National Trail?

South Mountain National Trail is rated expert. It is 16.0 miles long with 3,635 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Arizona trail conditions

ExpertPoint to Point

Arizona

South Mountain National Trail

Tempe, Arizona

16.0 mi

Distance

3,635 ft

Elev. Gain

6h 27m

Est. Time

Point to Point

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

The National Trail crosses the park from the east to the west. There are moderate ups and downs on the hike. The east half of the trail is where the majority of the traffic comes from. The Pima Canyon trail leads to the start of the national trail. The park's National Trail skirts the ridges of the park, and then it ends on the west end of the park. There are abandoned mines and rock formations along the way. The views of the valley are amazing.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:346 ft

Max:756 ft

1,108 ft

1,181 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Point to Point
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

No reviews yet

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context