Hiking is generally considered a daytime activity, but have you ever stopped to question why? During the summertime, dusk is the only respite from the sweltering desert heat, which makes taking to the trails after dark a particularly pleasant experience. North Mountain National Trail is paved and easy to navigate, so it’s perfectly acceptable for nighttime hikes in AZ. If you’ve never seen a birds-eye-view of Phoenix city lights illuminating the night, it’s a bucket list-worthy sight.

Clocking in at 2.2 miles, North Mountain National Trail is a moderately difficult hike featuring beautiful flowers and majestic wildlife.
Louise Langston / AllTrails
It's a great workout, especially if you're strapped for time and looking for a quick way to work up a sweat.
While the trail is popular during daylight hours, it's something of a hidden gem after dark.
Jessica Parrish / AllTrails
Watching the sun make its descent behind the Estrella Mountains is a sight that belongs on everyone's bucket list.

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You'll scale an elevation gain of over 600 feet, but the heart-pounding trek pays off tenfold upon reaching the summit.
Cinthia Womack / AllTrails
You’ll be surrounded by four different towering peaks and the view can't be beaten.
The colorful clouds and amber skies that define summertime unabashedly make their presence known.
Alltrails/Fayette Wester
As evening fades into dusk, you can practically hear a pin drop in the stillness. A more meditative, healing experience truly doesn't exist anywhere else in the state.
City lights can be a nuisance when you look at them head-on, but an elevated view changes things entirely. Seeing Phoenix illuminate the darkness will give you a whole new appreciation for our capital city.
Adam Huston / AllTrails
While the trail technically closes at 7 p.m., you can still take these night hikes in Phoenix until 11 p.m.

Take a quick daytime hike up the North Mountain National Trail in Phoenix in this video from Arizona Insider:

Have you ever hiked the North Mountain National Trail at night? Nighttime hikes in AZ give you a whole new perspective on this beautiful city. What other hikes in Arizona are even better after dark? Let us know your favorites!

In the meantime, check out these easy desert hikes in Arizona anyone can do that are perfect day or night.

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Hiking In Phoenix Arizona

Chris Muras | January 11, 2024

What are some hiking trails near Phoenix?
When we chat with newcomers to Arizona we find they are surprised by the life and color of the desert. There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of Arizona than with a hike along some of its most interesting trails. Here are a few hiking trails near Phoenix that will delight you with the natural wonders of the desert:

  • Echo Canyon Trail: Camelback Mountain has two recognizable peaks on its 2,706-foot elevated ridge that look a little bit like two camel humps rising high in the sky. Echo Canyon Trail is about 2.6 miles in an out-and-back formation covering steep rocky terrain. The difficulty is well worth the effort once you get to the summit.
  • Lookout Mountain Circumference Trail: This is another scenic trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve that will most likely give you some peace and quiet as you climb to the top of Lookout Mountain. This aptly-named trail is a moderately easy 2.2-mile loop that gradually wraps around the mountain. It makes a nice springtime trek when colorful wildflowers are in bloom.
  • Hole-in-the-Rock Trail: This Arizona gem in Papago Park is only a few minutes from downtown Phoenix, but you'll feel like you are miles away when you discover the giant cave overlooking the city. The trail itself is only 0.3 miles long, but it is still a fun adventure to take with your family, and friends, or on a romantic hike with your fellow nature-loving partner. The Desert Botanical Garden is also nearby so you can make a day of exploring some of the scenic natural areas of Phoenix.

Wherever your travels take you in Arizona you are sure to find plenty of places to lay down your boots. Be sure to check out AllTrails+ for up-to-date trail info and maps.

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