Well maintained trails, plenty of parking, not too crowded, & rich in desert vegetation.

The trails are smooth and the scenery is beautiful here. Definitely recommend this place.

The summary info is wrong: open dawn to dusk. Posted at the gate yesterday, April 1 2020: “Open 5:45 AM Closes 6:49 PM.”Closed means closed: the large iron gate closes and you are blocked from exiting. You may have to call the police dept to be let out as “You are trespassing.” Yes, it happened to me, but I was lucky and the gate still opened when I pulled up close to the gate.Beautiful trails - you can get in a hike of any distance up to over 4 miles while enjoying the views of the mountains to the east. The hikes are not strenuous, most parts are close to level. Whiskey Bottle Trail is at a moderate incline.

Nice meander thru the desert. Plenty of critters and well marked trails make this place a mental unload.

Miles of great riding

Nice trailhead. Lots of parking, including trailer parking. Access to several trails. Clean bathrooms.

One of the two newest Preserve trailhead facilities - along with Granite Mountain two and a half miles north - Fraesfield has plenty of parking, restrooms, informative displays and a dedicated equestrian lot, but no drinking water. Trails are generally moderate and less busy than other Preserve trailheads. Wonderful views to the east and north.

Great trails first hiking biking and horses back riding

Very nicely maintained trailhead. Many trails to choose from. Very easy hike since the elevation gain was minimal. View was gorgeous but nothing much better than any other Scottsdale area hiking trails. We come to find the balanced rock, but starting from Fraesfield seems to be a mistake, since none of the signs will tell you which way goes to the rock quicker. We actually wound up onto a trail that led us back to the trailhead. Its mostly my fault, since I overestimated my sense of direction, and I should have grabbed a map at the trailhead, but why dont they put balanced rock on some signs at least? All signs tell you which trail intersect with which, and I have no idea about any of them.

Very beautiful hiking trails.

Very nice trailhead area.

Beautiful trail system

I ride my horses here every day , loads of trails , great fun

Very nice trail and the improvements they are making will make it that much nicer of a experience.

Recently upgraded parking lot and toilets

Beautiful location!!! You have mountains all around you. There are several bike and hiking trails. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular from this area. Its like a much smaller McDowell park near Fountain Hill, Az.

Great trail system. If you are cycling you will encounter plenty of hikers around balance rock. And an occasional horse too.

Riding with SMB

Great multi use trails for hiking, biking or riding horses. Maps available at the trailhead. Trails are well marked.

Not the most scenic or challenging of trails, just gets you away from it all. You can still hear traffic a good way off from the road. Mostly its free, lots of parking but no trailhead amenities, water, etc. Not even a garbage barrel. Well signed tho.

This is the place to hike, ride mountain bikes or horses. Plenty of space, not too crowded and doesnt cost a thing

The hikes leaving this trailhead are several and varied. They mostly have minimal AEG and are all in good shape, well signed and relatively easy hikes of various lengths.

Easy hike with lots of desert scenery .

Easier trails but the 136th Express is a fun MTB experience

If youre thinking of hitting up the MacDowell Sonoran Preserve (not to be confused with that junk show that is MacDowell Mtn Park!) you might think of going to Fraesfield over the Browns Ranch Trailhead. Compared to Browns Ranch, the trails just north of Fraesfield might be a bit cooler, and theres likely to be fewer poodle walkers. On the down side, Fraesfield has no water and no dookie house (there were signs indicating a major overhaul of the TH soon)

Great hiking