Things to See and Do in Phoenix, Scottsdale and The Valley

The capital of Arizona, Phoenix is the most populated city of the Grand Canyon State and the fifth most populated city in the nation. You’d think that a good hike would be impossible to find around a bustling metropolitan area known for spreading out rather than skyscraping upward, but this is far from the case.

A great number of natural preserves dot Phoenix and the many cities sprawling out from it throughout the greater valley. Hikers can find a plethora of trails across maintained wilderness and a pristine desert that’s still ripe for enjoyment in decades to come. Since the Phoenix Valley has so many trails nearby and so many preserves, with countless ways to hike across them, we’ve collected some recommendations that will not only set you up for one great hike - but innumerable ones to be explored on further excursions.