Guided Desert Night 3-Hour Hike in Phoenix

Overview

Escape the daytime desert heatwaves with this unique hiking adventure in the Sonoran Desert. We will stop for beautiful views of the city and to observe and discuss the varying plants and animals the Arizona desert! Start times are flexible and typically we start 30-60 minutes before sunrise or sunset. Please be sure to contact your guide Scott Zdunczyk to confirm a starting time. The times provided on the page are only a range of possible start times. Please provide a phone number or email with your booking so that your guide may reach you with any important updates. South Mountain contains many trails, allowing us to customize the difficulty for each trip. The typical route is moderately difficult but there are less strenuous options available. If you know you would like an easier route, please let your guide know with your booking. See you on the trail!

City: Phoenix

Sat 26 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $80.00

Make a reservation

Sat 26 Apr

Starting at $80.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Bottled water

Fruit, packaged nuts, trail bars, beef sticks, and more!

Flashlights

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

South Mountain Park

On this hike you will ascend to an outstanding view of Phoenix, check out ancient petroglyphs, observe rock formations, learn about the Sonoran Desert, and do it all under a beautiful moonlit desert sky. We will meet at the road entering Pima Canyon and warm up hiking on a relatively flat first couple miles before gaining some elevation. We will return to the same starting point at the conclusion of the hike. This is a moderate hike that will cover about 5 miles over 2-3 hours. It will include some steeper and rocky areas. You should have shoes with ankle support, sneakers at the least. Bring water. In the winter bring a light jacket as it can get a little chilly. Depending on the moon a flashlight is not always needed but we will have them just in case.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (22)

baouyenn254

Jan 2025

Last weekend, my friend came to town and we decided to book the sunset hike with Scott. From now on, this will be what I tell my friends and families to do when they visit me. My friend and I had a great experience… and the sunset did not disappoint. :) The hike was leisurely, fun, and informative. Scott is a plant connoisseur and even I (a self-proclaimed plant enthusiast) learned so much about the plants and wildlife of South Mountain during the hike. We also saw some petroglyphs left by the Hohokam. That was neat! We ended the hike by becoming scorpion hunters. Scorpions aren’t my favorite creatures but they do look pretty cool under black light.

Judy_C

Dec 2024

This guided hike at Pima Canyon was the best part of my short stay in Phoenix. I asked for a sunset hike and Scott made sure it happened. Traffic was horrible and Scott made sure I knew it would be easy to find him once I arrived. He immediately started introducing the Sonoran desert to me, and the saguaro cactus. During the hike, I found my new favourite plant, the Palo Verde. I saw my first petroglyphs and Scott gave historical and educational context throughout the entire hike. As it got darker, we tried to hear for coyotes and heard owls. Scott is a very well travelled person with a great sense of humour. As a solo traveller, he made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire hike and even provided water, trail mix and lemonade apples. The best part was watching the sunset and getting the headlamp and flashlights out. Under blacklight, we saw algae growing on rocks and Scott also found a scorpion! This hike was way more exciting than the Botanical Garden. It's really a once in a lifetime experience to get a guide like this. Thank you so much for making this trip so memorable.

LaraAnn13

Nov 2024

If you're a first-timer in Phoenix and looking for an amazing solo hiking experience, Scott is your guy! He was incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, and made the hike unforgettable. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully planned, including snacks, photos, and fascinating insights about the area and native cacti. The sunset hike was especially magical, offering breathtaking views and a unique perspective. Highly recommend this adventure—it's the perfect way to explore Phoenix's natural beauty!