Best Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona — updated August 22, 2026
Desert trailheads in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, an off-road jeep operator with a perfect rating, and flat paved paths for days when climbing rock is not the plan.
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Scottsdale's outdoor options split cleanly in two: the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on the northern and eastern edges, where trailheads open at sunrise and close at sunset, and the flat, paved corridors that run through the middle of town along the wash and the canal system. The first group needs water, an early start and some tolerance for rock; the second is for running, walking and cycling without gaining a foot of elevation. Below, the places with the most settled records come first.
1. Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The main entry point into the Preserve's southern region, and the one with the deepest track record: 4.8 stars across more than 2,300 reviews, which is about as proven as an Arizona trailhead gets. It sits at 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., on the east side of the road. From here the Gateway Loop runs a moderate 4.4 miles through the McDowell Mountains, gradual enough for most fitness levels but fully exposed. The general rule across the Preserve is sunrise to sunset; posted trailhead hours have been listed starting at 7:00 a.m., so check the city's page before an early departure.
2. Echo Canyon Trailhead
The hardest hike within easy reach of Scottsdale, and the highest rated on this list: 4.9 stars from more than 2,700 reviews. Echo Canyon climbs Camelback Mountain, one of the most prominent peaks in the Valley, and it is a scramble rather than a walk, with hand-over-hand sections near the top. The trailhead sits on the Phoenix side of the line off E. McDonald Drive, a short drive from central Scottsdale. Facilities include restrooms, water and parking, though the lot is notoriously tight and the city posts parking and traffic alerts for it. Hours are sunrise to sunset.
3. Scottsdale Adventure Tours - Jeep Tours
A perfect 5.0 rating across 541 reviews, which is a rare combination of volume and consistency for a guided operator. The Sonoran Desert jeep tours start and end in Scottsdale, so there is no separate meeting point out in the county. Pricing is quoted per adult and starts at $145 on the operator's own site, with longer two to three hour options listed higher. Cancellation policy is stated as risk-free with 24 hours' advance notice and no cancellation fees. Worth booking ahead for cooler months, when demand for desert tours across the Valley peaks.
4. Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
The quieter Preserve access on the east side, at the north end of 124th Street, rated 4.8 from 133 reviews. That is a smaller sample than Gateway but consistent. The draw here is range: several connected trails at different lengths and grades, which makes it workable for mixed-ability groups and families. There is no entry fee and restrooms are available at the trailhead. Hours run sunrise to sunset like the rest of the Preserve. Bring more water than seems necessary; shade is minimal once you leave the parking area.
5. Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
Eleven miles of multi-use path running north to south through the middle of Scottsdale, linking lakes, parks and golf courses. It is the answer for anyone who wants distance without elevation or exposure to loose rock, and it is used heavily for running, walking and biking. The path itself is accessible around the clock, with staffed office hours listed Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Google rating is 4.8, but from just 17 reviews, so treat the score as promising rather than settled. The 11-mile figure comes from the city's own parks page.
6. Crosscut Canal Path
A flat, paved canal route on the southern end of the Valley's canal network, rated 4.6 from 32 reviews. That is a thin sample, and the listed address puts its access point in Tempe rather than Scottsdale, so it suits cyclists and long-distance runners willing to ride south more than casual walkers. Canal paths in this area are unshaded and largely without services, which makes them best in early morning or after sunset in warm months. Included here as a connector for people already using the greenbelt and looking to extend a route.
7. Arizona Canal Trl
The longest of the canal corridors crossing the area, and the entry with the least evidence behind it: 4.2 stars from 10 reviews, which is too small a sample to draw much from. The listing is also loosely mapped, with no single trailhead address, so plan an access point in advance rather than driving to a pin. Like the other canal routes, it is level, paved in stretches and open to walkers, runners and cyclists. Useful for mileage, not for scenery or facilities.
What we left off
Gateway Loop Trail appeared as a separate entry in the previous version. It is the loop that starts at Gateway Trailhead, not a distinct destination, and it carried no reviews of its own, so it is covered under the Gateway entry above.