Hike here regularly. Wide choice of terrain and difficulty from easy to very tough. Pick your distance!A big plus for Gateway is adequate parking which can be tough at many trailheads.

Gateway Loop - Amazing trail for beginner to intermediate hikers. Beautiful views, plants and animals to be seen here for sure. Bring water, sturdy hiking shoes and a camera. Leave only footprints, take only memories.

Great area to hike! There are numerous different levels of activity. They range from a light stroll (Loop) to an all day strenuous uphill (Thompson Peak). It is rocky so bring light feet or ankle support.

Great trails and trailhead facility. It does get pretty busy so I tend to prefer some other spots like lost dog trailhead or sunrise. If you take Bell trail from gateway its only busy at the start until you get to bell trail then it usually gets less trafficked from there.

If you dont mind branching off the main trails this location is fantastic. Gives you the option to stay with the heavy traffic or head to a more narrow trail witch seem to almost be completely people free. Everyones very friendly and helpful, highly reccomend.

Does seem longer than what is stated. We took the Northern route 1st. would suggest taking the Southern route 1st. would be a little more gradual climb.

This entire mountain range park takes over a third of the city of Scottsdale! You can get lost from whats going on in life back there and remember how beautiful our city and state is. Amazing docent will tell you exactly what you need to know before you go if youre unfamiliar with the trails.

Beautiful hiking area with many trails to choose from. I look forward to enjoying this area more in the future!

A favorite preserve area for sure. We did the long loop. Started counterclockwise on Gateway loop and connected to Bell pass and then to Windgate Pass that connects back to Gateway loop. From the trailhead it is 9.5 miles. Miles 1& 2 were great. Mile 3 to 4 was switchbacks and quite a climb. Mile 4 - 5 we ran. Mile 5 - 6 was tough. Mile 7 started the decline and knees started talking to me. Overall GREAT hike. Signage is amazing, I do not think you can get lost in this area. The North side of Gateway loop is the toughest as far as loose rock and fairly steep grade. We hit the trail just after 5:30 am and finished at 0920. You can run the last bit and add another . 25 out the way u start on gateway loop then turn back to get to 10 miles if you have that goal.

The lower loops are mostly packed dirt if you want short, easy walks. And other trails branch out from Gateway if you want rockier, steeper or longer distances. Something for everyone to get outside and stay healthy!

Multiple trails to connect to. Some very challenging but rewarding. Trails are well marked and there is light to medium traffic on the trails. Make sure to bring water with you.

Great trailhead with a terrific main entrance with clean restrooms. The trails are well marked and range from novice to advanced hikers. The trails can be used by cyclists as well. Sunscreen and water are a must on sunny days. Nice views from the top.

Beautiful desert, easy Trail with some incline which was nice. Go early in the morning while its this hot. We were on the trail about 5:30 in the morning it was just right.

Gradual accent, great views. Only down side is lots of loose rocks.

Amazing view. Would 1000 percent reccomend this place to enjoy your morning on trails

Nice trail but inconsiderate pet owners leaving dog dropping bags on trail or flinging them into the trees in the desert!

So dry right now....keep this area safe from. Fires

Such a beautiful spot. Great hike!

Perfect for short, after-work hikes or trail runs.

Love this trail. Great for the family or ashirt fast hike with little elevation gain. It does take you to Eindgate and Bell Pass for a more challenging hike and great training day, if needed.

Crazy excellent beautiful hiking here

Scottsdale does a great job with their parks and this one is no exception. Lots of great hikes and mountain biking in the McDowell Mountains and this is a perfect entry point to experience the Sonoran deserts beauty. The Gateway Loop is an excellent trail to share with out of town guests. The views are excellent and their is a nice combination of easy and gradual incline (some short-lived steeper terrain) to please all types of hikers.

Very good trail up and down the mountain. Beautiful view at the top

Had a great hike here. Very nice facility at the trailhead with maps and restrooms. Lots of good options for different types of desert trails.

Beautiful, well maintained trail with tons of signage to read about the area.

Nice get away, great walking trails

Beautiful place to enjoy the desert scape. Bring sturdy soled shoes.

Great hiking options from here. I had 3 little kids (all 5 and under), so we just did the easy 1/2 mile loop, but it was great. The path is stroller friendly, and the sights are varied enough to keep kids interested/excited the whole time. The info panels throughout the loop are great as well. Plus, there was a guide at the trailhead that was extremely knowledgeable. Plenty of free parking.

Amazing Views..Great Trailhead Facilties..Easy Parking..

You have lots of options from this trailhead for hiking and mountain biking. For those looking for flat and short hikes, there are a few options along with mostly moderate terrain options. Scottsdale parks and trails are always well maintained. The Gateway Loop trail is great for locals and out-of-town guests with views of the valley the pristine Sonoran desert.

The Baja Nature Trail is the perfect trail for families with small children, or those with disabilities, or those who dont really want to hike but would like the desert and mountain experience up close. The path is wide and stroller and wheelchair friendly. Its a short stroll with lots of interactive learning spots. There are plenty of rock benches along the path for stopping for a rest, snack or a picture. You can take the trail in sandals, flip flops and any type of clothing. The trail is easily accessible from the main trailhead enterance. The main trailhead entrance has a very nice large restroom and shade area.

Tons of different trail options for hikers of all levels to go to here. The view and desert nature is beautiful to look at and the trailhead and trails seem well maintained. Lots of friendly hikers and dogs here, made for a really pleasant outdoor experience.

Took short hike of about 4 miles in over 100 degrees heat but loved the experience.

Gorgeous trails and nice weather today.

Where else but the Gateway Trailhead in Scottsdale do the trailhead restrooms have terrazzo floors? Trails and fun for all ages, comfort levels, and abilities.Not an angry scowl to be found except for the occasional nitwit who parks their infernal combusting vehicle in the spaces reserved for PZEV/electrics, owner of a dog not picked up after (or allowed off leash) or mountain biker who doesnt announce their intentions ahead of sneaking up on hikers.Bottom line: If youre considerate, you bring a water bottle, and are at all curious about hiking, youll love this place.

Gateway Loop is a great little trail you can do in under 2 hours. My work hiking group tackles it once a week... its that easyWe even came across a rattler posting up right in the walkway. Thankfully, our resident reptile whisperer was able to charm it straight into the brush. Hes a good one to stick close toBut given the choice, Id gladly stroll this path and dish with Princess Candy Empire any old day

I love the desert, and this locale has diverse plantlife on an easy-going trail. Very enjoyable hike.

Ive grown to love Gateway Trailhead on the McDowell Preserve. It has beautiful scenery and is well maintained. Im used to hiking the Gateway Loop, but I decided to try Inspiration Point to see another part of the preserve. Its gorgeous!! When you get to the top and see the marker that says Inspiration Point with an upwards facing arrow, you have to go another 20 ft (roughly) in that direction before you see the stone bench that sits underneath a treeIts a steady incline the majority of the way up (some reprieves but not much), so I wouldnt recommend this trail for a beginner or inexperienced hiker, or even a child. During this time of year in June, I recommend beginning a hike no later than 5:30am to beat the heat. By 8:30am, the sun starts to beat on you and not in a comfortable way. It took me 2:09:45 in and out. Overall, I highly recommend this trail. :)

Great early morning hike.

Such a beautiful trail and very scenic!

Amazing trail with great info regarding dessert ecosystems and wildlife. We did the loop with kids and it took about 30 minutes.

Nice place for a quick loop hike.

Beautiful!!!!! Only downside is its crowded in the mornings, even early.

Beautiful hike! Popular for all ages.

Great hiking trails for all levels and ages

Lots of trails to get away from everything. Can be moderate to challenging.

Nice scenery, lots of easy trails, huge cactus and neatly built structures (walking bridges, shaded podium, restrooms and parking).

The rest facilities are top notch.

This place is right in my parents back yard so I am constantly hiking around and checking it out. Absolutely beautiful!!

Great scenery and great trails. Trails are moderately tough. Expect a good workout

This is a great location for easy to moderate hikes of varying distances right in Scottsdale. I take my kids hiking here regularly during the winter and some of the views are magnificent.

Great Hikeing Trails recommend checking out if you enjoy Hikeing or mountain biking.

Just make sure to not park at the trailhead after their listed hour (usually its after sunset), or supposedly you might get ticketed or locked in the park.Other than that, I enjoy this trailhead. They have a large shaded area underneath a concrete/metal roof structure. The restrooms are very clean and the water fountains are easy to use- they even have a motion sensor one to help you easily fill up your bottles. In this pavilion area, they also have a scale model of the entire preserve so you can get an eagles eye view of all the trails and mountains- amazing!

Very beautiful and the various informative displays along the trail allowed me to learn quite a bit about the numerous flora and fauna of this desert environment.

Can you spot the animal in this image?

This trail starts easy and offers great views of eroded mountainside called Bajada. A loop offshoot features plants that grow in this geology. Featured plants are labeled with their name and a description. Animals of this part of the Sonoran Desert are also described on interpretive signs.Well placed benches are good for hikers that need to rest or just sit and observe. Farther up the mountain the trail gets steeper. Hikers are rewarded with fantastic views of Scottsdale and the valley below.The only thing I dont like about the Sonoran Preserve is that it closes at sundown. Some great sunset photos are missed because of this. I would rather pay a fee and be allowed to stay on the trail longer. Many desert critters come out in the cool of night. They can only be observed after sundown.

Trailhead is easy to find, but it can be very busy during the day in the cooler months. Beautiful and natural desert landscape with trails to add onto your hike if you want to go further. It is dog friendly, but expect lots of dogs and the occasional sand burn in the paws.

Very well maintained trails. Beautiful views of the entire valley from multiple summit opportunities!

This is a great trailhead. Lots of different paths to take depending on how long you want to spend on the trail. A bit confusing so you will want a map/point of reference! The trail is created by use of a lot of rocks that make the hike a bit scary. Good shoes are essential.

Bathrooms are kept clean and the trails are well maintained

So hot

Great hike, good views, well kept trail. Did Toms Thumb Trailhead to Gateway trailhead and it was gorgeous.

Preparing for grand canyon backpacking or rim to rim hikes always starts here!

Great hike on the Gateway loop, took 2 hours to complete

Truly enjoyed a 4.5 mile loop trail, very well maintained, beautiful scenery. No drastic climbs but steady elevation. Bit rocky so do wear good shoes!

We had an amazing hike! It’s perfect, not too short and not too long. A great place to take some sunset photos.

Great hike. Must do early morning before too hot, bring lots of water!!!

My new favorite hiking spot

Great hiking experience.

Great trails.

Clean, well kept trails, plenty of signs and beautiful trails

Best easy trails -busy tho

One of the top attraction of Scottsdale lives up to its image.

Very rocky throughout the trail. Wear comfortable shoes. Ample parking. Convienent restrooms and drinking fountains at the entrance.

Such a good place to go out on a trial.... loved it there.

Gorgeous trails and great trail head. Clean Bathrooms

Popular day hike for many, has volunteer staff of trail stewards, great natural place in the mist of roaring development. Ahhhh

Great place to relax and enjoy the weekend

Great trail with nice views for either a run or walk. Counter clockwise is easier than clockwise. If you want a good workout, try running the trail in the clockwise direction, which is mostly uphill and rocky. Be safe and have fun!

Nice hike, lots of people with dogs. Nice bathrooms

Nice view, relaxing and great exercise.

We had alot of fun!

Just a wonderful desert place for trecking

Great trail for those with knee problems! Not too steep. There is always the short nature trail, too! Great views!

Great trails, maps available at the trailhead.

Awesome place to have a trail run or hiking

Absolutely amazing out here!

Hiking the McDowells from gateway is terrific. Several trails of varying difficulty. Just went to windgate pass for a nice three hour hike with fabulous views. Flowers in bloom were a bonus

Wonderful trial...takes your breath away

A lovely place to go for a stroll!

Steep trail, good for cardio.

Wonder trailhead with updated amenities and a quick nature trail. Start here for a plethera of hikes including a 6 mile all terrain hike to Toms Thumb. Worth the visit

Love this trail. Can get crowded tho :-D

Great trail and scenery. Nice overlook of the Phoenix area.

Liked the hike, trails are not to long.

Hard to believe that you are as close to the city as you are when you are out on the trails.

Great hiking for beginners and getting back into it . Make sure you have hiking boots very Rocky

Great hiking trails. Nice bathroom at trailhead, ample parking.

Great trails! Good for beginners and advanced hikers.

Really good trail! Moderate to hard.