Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries Near Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, the sixth-largest U.S. city, is set amid the harsh yet beautiful climate of the Sonoran Desert, which stretches for more than 120,000 square miles in southwestern Arizona, southeastern California and Mexico. The Sonoran is home to a diverse mix of plants and wildlife, including about 2,000 native plant species, 350 varieties of birds, 100 types of reptiles and 60 species of mammals. A number of wildlife and bird sanctuaries in the Phoenix area help protect and care for some of these native species, as well as allow visitors to view and learn about the desert's inhabitants.

Phoenix Zoo

• The Phoenix Zoo, less than 8 miles east of downtown, is home to more than 1,300 animals, including approximately 200 endangered species from throughout the world. The zoo helps breed and maintain about three dozen endangered species with guidance from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Among the endangered or threatened wildlife species the zoo provides sanctuary to are the critically endangered Rothschild's mynahs, Chilean flamingos, African wild dogs, Asian elephants, Arabian oryx, Sumatran tigers, ocelots and Mexican gray wolves. Other animals on display include African lions, Andean bears and white rhinos, as well as native desert species such as coyotes and prairie dogs.

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

• The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert, about 24 miles east of downtown Phoenix, is a 110-acre refuge with walking trails that wind around a recreational lake and seven ponds. More than 220 bird species have been sighted at the preserve, including falcons, hawks, hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers and a variety of waterfowl. The preserve includes a floating boardwalk, botanical garden, children's play area, picnic areas, restroom facilities, regularly scheduled bird walks and a children's nature club.
• Phoenix Herpetological Society

• The Phoenix Herpetological Society, a reptile sanctuary located in Scottsdale, 25 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix, is home to more than 1,200 native and non-native reptile species, including alligators, crocodiles, green iguanas, monitors and tortoises. The society has glass-enclosed displays that provide up-close views of more than 80 species of venomous snakes such as the black mamba, vipers and rattlesnakes. The facility provides Saturday morning tours for a fee, and also has "Reptile Encounters" summer camps for children.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

• The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale rescues and rehabilitates native mammals and birds that have been displaced or injured. The center releases rehabilitated animals back into the wild when possible, but gives them sanctuary if release is not an option. The center conducts public tours, but they must be arranged in advance. Among the species you might see are bears, bobcats, mule deer, foxes, javelinas, Mexican gray wolves, mountain lions and porcupines.

Other Sanctuaries

• Several other wildlife rehabilitation groups in the Phoenix area provide sanctuary and care to injured or displaced birds and/or small mammals. Although the organizations do not have facilities that are open to the public, they typically accept volunteers and provide off-site educational presentations at schools and special events throughout the region. These include the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center in Phoenix, East Valley Wildlife in Chandler and the Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation in Scottsdale. At time of publication, Liberty Wildlife was raising funds for a new wildlife center that would be open to the public.

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Motels on Route 66 in Williams, Arizona

The flashing neon lights signaling a "motor hotel" were a welcome relief to the automobile traveler driving along Route 66 in its heyday in the 1950s. While some towns and motels along the famous route are frequented only by the whistling wind, the Arizona city of Williams thrives and many of its original motels sport modern amenities to welcome today's traveler.

In the Forest

• Built in the 1940s, Canyon Motel and RV park tucks into the tall ponderosa pines at the east end of town. Constructed from flagstone rock, three motel rooms are grouped together in each free-standing cottage. The fully modernized rooms have one king or one double bed as well as a pullout sofa. Railroad enthusiasts can enjoy a night in an authentic train car or caboose that sleeps up to six people. The facility has a campsite as well as an indoor pool, horseshoe pit, laundry and playground.

On the Western Edge

• Built in 1950 but fully restored in 2011, the Highlander Motel still sports its original neon sign. The motel's 11 rooms brim with Southwestern flair and have two double beds or one queen bed. Each room comes with a refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker for enjoying an in-room snack. Kick back and relax in your room with cable TV and Wi-Fi or walk to restaurants and shops in the city's historic downtown just outside your door.
• Bring the Whole Family

• Route 66 Inn lies just two blocks from the Amtrak shuttle station in town, making it a convenient place to hang your hat when riding the rails across the country. The hotel has rooms ranging from one to four beds to suit your party's size. Each room has in its own unique style that retains the flavor of yesteryear with old-fashioned furniture and appointments. The motel has a memorabilia shop dedicated to all things Route 66 where you can pick up souvenirs. If you want to visit the Grand Canyon while you're in the area, the Grand Canyon Railway is just across the street from the motel.

In the Lap of Luxury

• If you suffer from allergies, you can breathe easy at the Lodge on Route 66. All rooms are non-smoking and pets are not allowed in the rooms. Relax on a pillow-top mattress in a fully modernized room that features solid wood furniture, Turkish travertine countertops, hardwood flooring and upscale decorator touches. For a special night, enjoy a suite with fireplace, stainless steel kitchen appliances, double-head walk-in showers and whirlpool tub. The motel lies less than a mile east of the Grand Canyon Railway depot.

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Grand Canyon Caverns in Arizona

While Grand Canyon Caverns lies about 60 miles south of the nearest rim of the Grand Canyon, its extensive network of underground tunnels are said to extend all the way into the canyon. The land above the caverns is a highly utilized camping stop for visitors hiking to Havasupai Falls in the western portion of the canyon, and the caverns themselves provide a constant underground climate where you can escape summer heat or winter cold for a short while. They also are home to the world's largest underground motel room and a unique theater for those desiring an out-of-the-ordinary adventure.

The Caverns

• Big enough to contain two football fields, the caverns' main room is found 21 stories below the earth's surface. The extensive tunnels comprise the largest dry cavern system in the country -- the third-largest known in the world. The dry nature of the caverns mean low humidity of only 6 percent, making the constant 56-degree temperature a welcome respite from summer heat and the icy winter winds. The cave has gone by several names since its discovery in 1927, including Yampai Caverns, Dinosaur Caverns and Coconino Caverns. With each name change came improvements in accessing the underground wonders, which initially had visitors lowered by rope clutching their own lantern or other light source.

Tours

• To see the main features of the cave, you can take the "Short Tour," a 45-minute excursion that covers nearly a mile, primarily in the cave's main room. Those with mobility issues are welcome to bring wheelchairs or motorized scooters to experience this tour, as you will descend into the earth via a high-speed elevator and stick to pathways that are ADA-Accessible. If you're physically fit with a high sense of adventure, you can call ahead to participate in the "Explorer's Tour," where you'll climb and crawl through passageways only accessible on this tour. Tours leave every half-hour during the busy season.

The Cavern Suite

• If you like to sleep in a dark room, you won't want to miss staying overnight in the Cavern Suite, where you'll be in total darkness once you turn out the lights. You won't have to worry about what's in the dark; no animal or insect life is present in the cave. The suite lies in a 200-foot by 400-foot cavern with a 70-foot ceiling. Your group can relax on two double beds and a fold-out queen sofa, and enjoy modern conveniences such as lighting, furniture, record player and bathroom. Check-in after the last tour departs for the day and you won't hear a sound from the outside world until the first tours begin to come through around 10 a.m. Walkways for the tours wind around the outer edges of the room, so if you choose to stay longer, you won't have privacy until after 4 p.m.

Caverns Theater

• If you're looking for a unique venue for your wedding, corporate function, concert or movie screening, you may wish to consider renting the Grand Canyon Cavern's theater. The rock walls provide perfect acoustics and your guests can relax in historic theater seats purchased from the American Film Institute in Hollywood. Food and beverage catering is available from the restaurant above-ground, and guests can stay overnight either in the Cavern Suite or in the motel and camping accommodations on the surface. Your guests can arrive via small plane at the private on-site landing field, or fly into Seligman airport and be transported to the caverns via charter bus.

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RV Camping in Quartzsite, Arizona

Quartzsite, Arizona, is a bustling center of recreation vehicle camping. One of the largest RV camping areas in the nation, Quartzsite has a broad variety of settings appealing to snowbirds, overnight campers and desert rats. Interspersed with RV parks, individual parcels rented or sold for RV camping or sites where you camp on your own on public land, Quartzsite lets RVers set up camp with easy proximity to Phoenix, Palm Springs, Lake Havasu and Indian casinos.

Gems and Minerals

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  One of North America's largest and its longest running gem and mineral shows fills the months of January and February in Quartzsite. Hundreds of dealers and traders from around the world nestle into the desert to sell, buy and barter the valuable rocks and crystals.

  
  

  Thousands of people make the pilgrimage to Quartzsite to wander the booths. The "gem season" runs from November to March, with 11 other gem and mineral shows filling the bill when the main show closes.

Recreation and Rockhounds

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  All that's missing is the mule when modern prospectors take pick, hammer and shovel into the public lands of western Arizona in search of gems and minerals. This is a major attraction for RV camping in Quartzsite.

  
  

  Its appealing proximity to the cooling Colorado River and Lake Havasu, golf in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Palm Springs, and Indian casino gaming helps fill the area. The biggest advantage is the economics, RV camping in Quartzsite costs less than metropolitan sites and can also be free.

Free RV Camping

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  Public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management surrounds Quartzsite, with many parcels literally touching the city limits. The BLM does not charge for camping, but it requires common sense and clean campsite courtesy.

  
  

  The area is generally flat or slightly rolling and crisscrossed with public roads. Unless otherwise posted, the BLM allows camping anywhere an RV can be setup in a safe location, off a road and more than 150 feet from stream beds or arroyos. Campers are responsible for packing out trash and waste and hauling in water.

RV Camping in Quartzsite

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  Any level, open land is likely one of the 38 recreation vehicle parks in Quartzsite. Without amenity requirements, most of the RV parks offer basic services to the camping pads.

  
  

  Most of the parks do not have a paved parking area for RVs. All have dump stations, but only a few have waste water hookups. Most offer few in-park features and serve essentially as an economical place to bed down the RV.

Full Service RV Parks

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  Settling in for a long stay, full-service hookups are nice features. Several RV parks in the Quartzsite area boast amenities making for a full-service RV park. River sites, about 17 miles west of the town include boating and fishing. Other sites in town have swimming pools, clubhouses and organized activities for RV campers.

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Things to Do in Gilbert, Arizona at Nighttime

Just 20 minutes east of Phoenix, you can leave the urban scene behind and enjoy a slower pace in the family-oriented city of Gilbert. The slowed pace and family-friendly atmosphere means you won’t find a slew of nightclubs open until last call like in the neighboring cities of Chandler and Scottsdale, but you’ll still find plenty to do within the city limits after dark.

Stargaze

• While you'll see hundreds of species of birds at the 110-acre Riparian Institute during the day, a nighttime visit reveals billions of stars. The Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory at the preserve houses a 16-inch-diameter state-of-the-art telescope and is open to the public each Friday and Saturday evening from September through June. The second Friday of each month, Skywatch presents the latest astronomical discoveries. Scouts and other youth groups may spend one or two nights camping under the stars at the Institute's outdoor facility, which accommodates up to 10 tents.

The Performing Arts

• Take in a concert or theater production at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, which features performances in a 1,200-seat concert hall or in its intimate 186-seat theater. The center hosts a variety of productions ranging from appearances by world-renowned musicians to high school musicals and private events. The Hale Theatre presents a range of family-friendly shows that include classics like "Oklahoma!" and more contemporary comedies and musicals. The theater received an award as the Best Community Theater in the East Valley by the "Phoenix New Times" in 2013.

Out to the Ball Game

• At the Gilbert location of Big League Dreams Sports Park, watch a local league game at one of eight replicas of renowned U.S. stadiums, including Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field or even the Diamondbacks Stadium. Each 200-seat field carefully captures the unique atmosphere and landmarks of its famous counterpart. The park also has a 20,000-foot pavilion housing soccer, basketball and hockey games. Enjoy dining at an on-site restaurant, practice your swing at a batting cage or take the kids to burn off energy at the enclosed playground.

Raising the Bar

• While you’ll have to head out to the bigger neighboring cities to find all-night dance clubs, you’ll find some niche bars for unwinding after a long day. The Fox Cigar Bar has not only a 500-square-foot humidor featuring premium and hard-to-find cigars, but a classic bar setting with 14 craft beers on tap as well as 80 scotches, 20 cognacs and 400 fine liquors from around the world. Smokers and non-smokers each have separate sections separated by a solid wall at Crabby Don’s, which features beer by the bucket, a large bandstand, karaoke nights and a game room with billiards, arcade games and shuffleboard. Watch your favorite sports at one of the city’s many sports bars, including Champions Sports Saloon, located downtown. The saloon has nostalgic touches, from the simple neon sign on its Old West exterior to vintage Ms. Pacman, Galaga and pinball machines.

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Places to See in the North Rim

Most of the activity and attractions of the Grand Canyon are along the more easily accessed South Rim, but if it's solitude you seek, the North Rim is your best bet. After stopping by the visitor center, take the park road to the edge of the canyon to enjoy the sights, or explore deeper via hiking trails. The North Rim is open between May and October, with weather conditions making roads impassable during colder weather.

North Rim Visitor Center

• The main North Rim park road ends at Bright Angel Point, which affords picturesque views of the canyon and is the location of the North Rim Visitor Center near Grand Canyon Lodge. This is a good place to pick up park maps and ask rangers any questions you might have, including those pertaining to weather conditions if you're setting out on longer hikes. The facility is filled with exhibits on the canyon, including a large geology display, and interpretive programs are offered. Bathrooms and a bookstore are also on-site.

North Rim Scenic Drive

• The scenic drive that starts near Bright Angel Point and ends at Cape Royal is often described as having the best view in the park because the last stretch follows a southern dip in the canyon, meaning you can view it from both sides of your vehicle. Although the total length one way to Cape Royal is only 23 miles, plan to take half a day to make the trip due to road curvature and the many pullouts along the way. You can also stop for a picnic at Point Imperial, Vista Encantada and Cape Royal.

Day Hikes

• Several trails on the North Rim provide challenges for hikers of all skills and stamina levels. A common and easy introductory stroll is Bright Angel Point Trail, a paved half-mile path that follows the rim from the visitor center. Self-guide pamphlets provide useful information about the canyon. For a longer but similar walk, take the Transept Trail, which leads 1.5 miles to the North Rim Campground along the canyon. To explore the canyon, take the North Kaibab Trail, the only maintained hike into the canyon from the North Rim. For a sampling of the canyon's size and beauty, consider walking to Coconino Overlook, a 1.5-mile round-trip hike, or do Supai Tunnell, 4 miles round-trip. The National Park Service strongly recommends against hiking past Roaring Springs in one day, as it is 9.4 miles round-trip. If you do take on the challenge, start before 7 a.m.

Grand Canyon Lodge

• The place to stay on the North Rim is Grand Canyon Lodge, named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. It offers both guest rooms and Western-themed log cabins near the edge of the canyon. An on-site restaurant with sit-down and buffet-style dining has large windows with scenic views, or grab a cup of coffee at the coffee shop. Mule rental is available to explore the canyon for an hour or half a day.

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RV Camping Spots in Arizona

Arizona's scenic deserts typically are dotted with thousands of RVs during pleasantly warm winter months. When temperatures heat up, tall pines singing in the cool breeze in Arizona’s mountains provide cool getaways near sparkling lakes and streams. Whatever time of year you head out in your RV, Arizona’s camping options are limited only by personal preference.

Private Campgrounds

• If your style of camping includes a lot of amenities, you’ll find them at private campgrounds throughout the state. Some chain campgrounds, such as KOA, have multiple facilities around the state with standard amenities that usually include full hookups, hot showers, laundry facilities and swimming pools. You’ll generally find a clubhouse and some sporting courts, such as basketball, volleyball or horseshoes. Look for other private campgrounds near Arizona's scenic points of interest or metropolitan areas. Scenic or upscale locations -- such as Sedona, the Parker Strip, and Scottsdale -- sometimes include day spas, golf, saunas or other luxuries on-site.

National Campgrounds

• Arizona is home to six national forests and 22 national parks. Campgrounds can be found throughout the national forests and at some parks. Standard amenities in Arizona favor self-contained camping, with vault toilets, drinking water, barbecues, fire rings and picnic tables provided at the majority of the sites. There are hookups and hot showers at a few, including Canyon Point near Payson, Whitetail Campground near Tucson, and Apache Trout Campground in the White Mountains. If you are disabled, on active military duty or retirement age, an America the Beautiful Pass not only gets you into national attractions at no charge, but can give you discounts at campgrounds managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

State and Regional Parks

• You’ll find hookups and hot showers at nearly every one of the 15 state parks with RV camping sites. The parks and their campgrounds are situated along scenic waterways or particularly scenic hiking areas. Regional parks are near metropolitan areas, such as Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. Maricopa County’s regional park system contains nine parks in areas surrounding metropolitan Phoenix, connected by the 150 mile Maricopa Trail. RV camping is available at the majority of the parks, with hookups and dump stations provided at Cave Creek, Lake Pleasant, McDowell Mountain and Usery Mountain regional parks. Amenities at other parks range from primitive to semi-developed sites with picnic tables, grills and restrooms.

Dispersed Camping

• Dispersed camping is permitted on public lands throughout Arizona, except for areas recovering from fires or under similar restrictions. Both the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service allow camping for up to 14 days on public land, providing you camp on a vegetation-free, hard-packed surface, and obey fire restrictions. When camping in forested areas, be aware of trees suffering from bark beetle damage, as they can blow over in strong winds. Pack food in airtight containers, and store it out of sight of the windows in your RV when camping in forested areas where bears are prevalent. Remember to pick up pet food bowls from outside after your animal finishes eating.

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Hiking at Castle Dome in Arizona

Castle Dome's square knob rises more than 2,000 feet above the desert floor, jutting into the sky from a mountain range by the same name. The dome is easy to see as you drive south of Interstate 10 near Quartzsite, Arizona, but you'll need to drive nearly 50 miles south to access the trailhead, which lies along a four-wheel drive road. Hike and scramble to the top, where you'll have 360-degree views overlooking the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.

The Trail

• The Castle Dome Trail embarks at 1,700 feet above sea level along a sandy desert wash, gaining 300 feet along a gentle climb before a series of cairns exit to the right, leading you up a faint trail to the base of the peak. The trail to the base is covered in scree and becomes increasingly steep as you approach a narrow saddle between the main part of the dome and an adjoining spire. You can scramble to the top up a steep slope or climb a 20-foot crack to gain the 360-degree views from the top.

Physical Requirements

• If you are physically fit and have some basic rock scrambling capability, you will be able to gain the summit without use of ropes or other special equipment. The hike will take approximately five hours, depending upon your physical fitness and how much time you spend at the top, and you will be in open sun during most of the journey. The hike is not suitable for those afraid of heights, first-timers, small children or pets.

When to Go

• The months of November through March provide mild temperatures for climbing the peak. Daytime highs range from the 60s during December and January to the upper 80s in November and March. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees from late April through October, with temperatures above 120 degrees common during the hottest months of July and August. Sun reflecting off the barren rock can increase temperatures near their surface by 40 degrees during the heat of day during summer months.

Wildlife

• If you begin early in the day, you'll probably see some desert bighorn peering down from the cliffs. The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge surrounds the mountains, and you might see species such as deer, coyote, bobcat and a variety of birds. Watch for rattlesnakes, which emerge in spring. At first, they can be so groggy you might step on one before you know it is there, so use a hiking stick or trekking pole to tap stoutly near boulder and brush.

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Four Wheel Jeep Trails in Arizona

Arizona is famous for its Old West history, warm deserts and high-country trout fishing. Jump in a jeep and head out into the backcountry to see relics of yesteryear and scenic vistas punctuated by towering saguaros and rugged pastel hills. Trails for every driving ability will give you time to enjoy the scenery or pit your skills against rugged terrain.

Sun-Spanked Desert

• The Arizona desert may seem flat when you're rolling down a leveled interstate, but get off pavement and you're in for a thrilling rollercoaster ride over the desert's many dips and furrows. Steep climbs up rolling hills include deeply rutted routes, stretches covered with pea-sized gravel, and rock crawling areas. Near Phoenix, the Four Peaks riding area has trails traversing rolling desert or ascending over the peaks to Roosevelt Lake. In Southern Arizona, Charouleau Gap lies just north of Tucson on the foothills below Mount Lemmon with nearly 20 miles of trail stretching to Oracle.

The Middle of Nowhere

• The Arizona Strip in northwestern Arizona is the least inhabited area of the state, but you can roll through scenic canyonlands to relish landscape seen by few. Unpaved rugged roads in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument cover a million acres in topography ranging from red buttes to forests. Head to the northwestern edge of the Grand Canyon where you can gaze down at the canyon and the Colorado River from a sheer 3,000-foot cliff. The Toroweap campground at this site allows primitive camping.

In the High Country

• The Mogollon Rim stretches across much of northern Arizona, housing pine forests shattered by rugged basalt and limestone outcroppings. Lakeside in the northeastern part of the state is home to the Maverick Motorized Trail running through the foothills of the White Mountains. Catch it at the Sky-Hi Trailhead to run 50 miles of pine and juniper forests with scenic views of the mountains. The trail is well marked with orange blazes, and you can camp along the route. In northwestern Arizona, the Hualapai Mountain Trail traces old mining routes from Kingman to the pine forests at 6,500 feet. The Hualapai Mountain Trailhead has camping, cabins and a staging zone.

The Old West

• The Bradshaw Mountains stretch from the Phoenix Metropolitan area north to Prescott, sheltering the remains of mining towns in their folds. One of the lone survivors, Crown King prospers as a remote tourist town with an old-fashioned saloon, inn and restaurant. A rugged jeep trail leads from Lake Pleasant near Phoenix to the town. You can also enter from Prescott along the Senator Highway -- a rutted, high-clearance dirt road. An easy route accesses the town from Bumblebee off Interstate 17. In southern Arizona, head into the Dragoon Mountains along the Ghost Town Trail. Start from Tombstone and head along historic stagecoach trails to visit the once prosperous mining towns of Gleeson, Courtland and Pearce where many old buildings still stand.

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Hiking Camelback in Arizona at Sunrise

No matter what time of year you're planning to hike up the most prominent landmark in central Phoenix -- Camelback Mountain -- you'll want to get an early start. Summer temperatures soar beyond 100 degrees shortly after sunrise, and those hiking up and down the mountain in a steady stream make sure that parking is packed throughout the day. The mountain's summit is an ideal place to watch the sunrise, providing 360-degree views over the shimmering city.

Is There an Echo Here?

• Get glimpses of sunrise from vantage points along the Echo Canyon Trail as it ascends the western slopes of Camelback Mountain. The trail was completely remodeled in the latter half of 2013 and reopened in 2014. The improved trailhead facilities include 135 parking spaces, bike racks, pedestrian walkways and a direct entrance from Tatum Road. Newly built restrooms with flush toilets and chilled drinking fountains outside provide an area to gear up for your climb or refresh yourself afterward.

Up the Camel's Nose

• Echo Canyon's trail remodel rerouted the first quarter-mile from a steep ascent up a decaying railroad tie staircase to a natural pathway along the mountain's contours. The wide path easily accommodates the busy two-way foot traffic normal during early morning hours on the mountain as locals set out on their daily fitness climbs. This new route adds an eighth of a mile to reach the Echo Canyon Saddle, where you'll get a panoramic view of the sunrise over Paradise Valley. Extremely rugged past this point, the narrow, uneven trail is flanked by handrails and safety fences and requires bouldering across slippery granite en route to the mountain's summit.

The East End of a West-Bound Camel

• If you want to catch the first rays of sunshine on your shoulders, head up the eastern slope on the Cholla Trail. Park street-side along Invergordon Road between Camelback Road and Cholla, and walk to the trailhead a quarter-mile west on Cholla. There are plenty of vistas where you can turn around and view the sunrise as you ascend the steep but less-treacherous trail. The last quarter-mile of the 1.75-mile hike involves bouldering over surprisingly slippery granite with the suggested route marked by strips of blue paint.

Timing is Everything

• To catch the sunrise on Camelback Mountain, get to the trailhead at first light to start up the mountain. The sun peeps above the horizon at a lazy 7:30 a.m. in the winter months, and you'll have to watch for icy spots on the Echo Canyon Trail in mid- to late January when Phoenix receives most of its winter moisture. Be ready for temps in the upper 90s to the low 100s before the sun comes up during the hottest months of July and August, and have plenty of water along on your hike. Be on the trail before 5:15 a.m. in June to catch the sunrise.

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Mt. Lemmon Bike Riding in Tucson, Arizona

Rising more than 6,500 feet above the city of Tucson, Mt. Lemmon provides bike riders with a host of opportunities to enjoy natural surroundings ranging from desert to sub-alpine forest. Bike-friendly routes include paved roadway as well as dirt single-track and long-forgotten jeep trails, but all require intermediate to advanced biking skills, swift technical maneuvering and strong physical endurance.

The Main Event

• The Catalina Highway runs to the top of the mountain, towering more than 9,000 feet above sea level. The 27-mile road ride provides a wide shoulder for cycling and an average grade of 5 percent, making it one of the 100 toughest hill climbs in the United States. Bring more water than you'd expect to need as the arid desert climate combined with high altitude dehydrates your body very quickly. Refill water jugs at mile 20 at the Palisades, treat yourself to a snack in the community of Summerhaven at mile 27 and let gravity take you as you speed back down the mountain.

Along the Arizona Trail

• The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles through Arizona, catching Mt. Lemmon along the way. Horses and hikers share the single-track dirt trail as it winds through Mt. Lemmon's forests and desert foothills. Catch the trail at Summerhaven near the mountain's summit for cool but steep summer riding, or head out on the Prison Camp stretch at the mountain's base where both the winter climate and trails are mild. Shuttle services for you and your bike are available from Southwest Trekking -- the local bike livery -- to any of the Arizona Trail access points.

Ride and Smell the Flowers

• Enjoy summer temperatures about 30 degrees cooler than in Tucson on a ride around Aspen Meadow. The trailhead has restrooms and parking where you can gear up for your ride before heading out across a meadow strewn with wildflowers in early summer. The trail intersects with an old jeep road with a panoramic view of Tucson far below. At a fork in the road, you can opt to venture down the right fork into a wilderness area on foot to view an old fire lookout tower or continue on the left fork for a steep uphill back to the top.

All-Day Lemmon Drop

• If your body and skills are up to an all-day steep descent through the forests and crags of Mt. Lemmon, start at the top and work your way down in a trip known locally as "the Lemmon Drop." The trail begins at Aspen Draw at the mountaintop observatory and ties into Green Mountain Trail. Both trails are technical in nature, with water bars, boulders, exposed roots and tight switchbacks. The scenery changes from forest to high desert on the Bug Springs stretch, where you'll have to hike your bike over large water bars. Enjoy some fast downhill, but beware of sudden technical surprises.

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