McDowell Mountain Regional Park at a glance
McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a 21,099-acre Maricopa County park at 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, just north of Fountain Hills. Entry is $10 per vehicle. From November 1 to April 30 the park is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; from May 1 to October 31 it is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. It has more than 50 miles of multi-use trails, including the 15.3-mile Pemberton loop and three mountain bike Competitive Track loops, plus a 76-site campground with water and electric hookups.
Park phone: (602) 506-2930, ext. 3. Fees and hours are from Maricopa County Parks, retrieved October 21, 2026.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park is the big, quiet desert on the east side of the McDowell Mountains, the side most people in Scottsdale never see. The ground slopes from about 3,000 feet at the base of the mountains down toward the Verde River, so almost every trail gives you long views of Four Peaks, Red Mountain and the Mazatzals. It is my default answer when someone visiting asks for “real desert” without driving two hours. Below is what it costs, which trails to pick, and how camping works.
Hours, fees and how to get there
Fees from the Maricopa County Parks fee schedule. The county has published increases: day entry goes to $12 in 2028.
Getting there: from Scottsdale, take Shea Boulevard east into Fountain Hills, turn north on Fountain Hills Boulevard, which becomes McDowell Mountain Road, and follow the signs to the park entrance. Plan on roughly 35 to 45 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale. There is no transit to the park, so you need a car.
If you are going to visit more than about a dozen times a year, or you also use Usery, White Tank or Lake Pleasant, buy the $120 annual county pass before January. It goes to $140 in 2027, and it covers every Maricopa County regional park.
Best hiking trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Most trails here are multi-use, shared with mountain bikers and horses, so stay alert and yield the way the trailhead signs show. Distances below are from the county’s trail list; they are one-way unless marked loop or round trip.
| Trail | Miles | Difficulty | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemberton | 15.3 loop | Difficult | The signature loop. Long, steady, and a classic mountain bike ride. |
| Scenic | 3.5 | Moderate | Views of Four Peaks and the Verde Valley |
| Lousley Hill | 1.2 round trip | Moderate | A short, hike-only climb with a summit view. Good at sunrise. |
| North | 2.9 round trip | Easy | A hike-only walk with no bikes on the trail |
| Nursery Tank | 0.6 round trip | Easiest | Barrier-free. Strollers, wheelchairs and grandparents. |
| Granite | 3.5 | Easy | An easy connector through boulder country |
| Dixie Mine | 5.6 | Moderate to difficult | A longer route toward the mountains and an old mine site |
| Windmill | 1.1, continues into Scottsdale | Moderate to difficult | The link to Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve |
The Competitive Track for mountain bikers
The park’s Competitive Track is a purpose-built mountain bike and trail running area with three loops. Distances are round trip from the trailhead:
- Long Loop: 7.9 miles (12.8 km)
- Sport Loop: 3.0 miles (4.8 km)
- Technical Loop: 2.7 miles (4.4 km)
It also hosts organized cycling and running races during the cooler months, which can fill the trailhead lot. Check the park’s events calendar before a Saturday ride.
Camping at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
| Campground | Sites | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| E.I. Rowland | 76 | RV or tent sites with water and electric (20, 30 and 50 amp), restrooms with showers, and an RV dump station for registered campers |
| Ironwood | 16 | Tents and small units, trailers up to 16 feet. No hookups at sites; a shared water spigot nearby. |
| Group Campground | Up to 15 large units | Flush toilets, hot showers and a covered ramada. A Youth Group Area (20 large units) and Minks Camp (10 small units) are also available. |
Developed sites with hookups are $40 a night on the current county fee schedule, rising to $50 in 2027. Book individual sites online at exploremaricopacountyparks.org. Group sites need at least five camping units and are booked by phone at (602) 506-2930, option 3.
There is very little shade on these trails. From May through September, start at first light, carry more water than you think you need, and be off the trail by late morning. During monsoon season (roughly mid-June through September), washes like Stoneman and Shallmo can flash flood from storms you cannot see, so do not hike or ride in a wash when clouds are building over the mountains.
When to go and what you will see
November through April is the season. Highs sit in the 60s and 70s, the campground fills on weekends, and after a wet winter the desert floor turns green with wildflowers in March. The county lists deer, javelina, coyotes and a wide range of desert birds among the wildlife, and rattlesnakes are active on warm days from spring through fall, so watch where you step. The nature center runs ranger-led hikes and kids’ programs in season, and some require registration.
Hike early, then head back through Fountain Hills for lunch and to catch the fountain, which runs on the hour. If you are staying on the Scottsdale side, see our things to do in Scottsdale guide, and check Scottsdale weather by month before you pick a date.
More Valley outdoor ideas are in our things to do in Phoenix guide and our Mesa guide, which covers the Salt River and the Superstitions.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park FAQ
How much does it cost to get into McDowell Mountain Regional Park?
Daily entry is $10 per vehicle. A Maricopa County annual day-use pass, good at every county regional park, is $120 and goes to $140 in 2027.
What are the hours at McDowell Mountain Regional Park?
From November 1 to April 30 the park is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. From May 1 to October 31 it is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
How long is the Pemberton Trail?
The Pemberton Trail is a 15.3-mile loop rated difficult. It is multi-use, shared by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Can you camp at McDowell Mountain Regional Park?
Yes. There are 92 individual campsites: 76 at E.I. Rowland with water and electric hookups and 16 at Ironwood for tents and small units, plus group areas. Book individual sites at exploremaricopacountyparks.org.
How long are the Competitive Track loops?
The Long Loop is 7.9 miles, the Sport Loop is 3.0 miles and the Technical Loop is 2.7 miles, all round trip from the trailhead.
Is McDowell Mountain Regional Park the same as the McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
No. McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a Maricopa County park on the east side of the McDowell Mountains near Fountain Hills, with a $10 entry fee. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a separate City of Scottsdale preserve on the west side. The Windmill Trail connects the two.
Run a business in Fountain Hills or the northeast Valley?
Bike shops, outfitters, cafes and places to stay near the park: AZ Charged is a hand-verified Arizona directory with zero pay-to-rank.
Sources: Maricopa County Parks: McDowell Mountain Regional Park, park trail list, camping page and fee schedule, all retrieved October 21, 2026. Hours and fees are set by the county and can change.
Featured photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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