McDowell Sonoran Preserve (Gateway Trailhead)

About

The Gateway Trailhead is one of the main ways into Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which covers more than 30,500 acres and over 230 miles of trails. It has parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, drinking water and interpretive signs, plus room for horse trailers. The preserve is open every day from sunrise to sunset and costs nothing to visit. You don't need a pass or a permit to hike from here. For an easy start, the accessible Bajada Nature Trail leaves right from the trailhead. The Gateway Loop and Saguaro Loop trails start here too, so you can make the outing as long as you like.