If you’re buying a home for sale in Scottsdale this spring, especially if you’re new here, you’ll be glad to know that this is a fabulous area to get out and play. Check out these three fun things to do this spring (or any time) in Scottsdale that allow you to explore the area and get closer to nature.
3 Fun, Outdoorsy Things to Do This Spring in Scottsdale
Once you’re all settled into your new home – or before (everybody needs a break from unpacking) – check out:
o Hole in the Rock at Papago Park
o Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain
o McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Hole in the Rock at Papago Park
Hole in the Rock, one of Papago Park’s hidden gems, is a truly spectacular display of nature’s artwork. Drive up to the rock and take a short hike to the top – it’s kid-friendly and relatively easy to get up to the formation. The rock itself provides amazing views of all of Phoenix, and it’s a great place to grab a quiet moment.
Pro tip: It gets crowded on weekends, so go early or head out during a weekday.
There’s a small parking area right next to the trail, and it takes the average person about 10 minutes to get to the top. Once you’re at the top, walk around the back of the formation and you can get right into the naturally formed hole.
Fun fact: Holes like this one are usually made when minerals decay faster than the rock around them does. Once a hole develops, wind and sand erode it over time to make it larger – and eventually, the top breaks apart.
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Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain
Not for the faint of heart, hiking Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain is a great way to start your day. (We say start your day because by midday, it’s a little warm outside for us to be climbing – but you might have different ideas.) Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Cholla Trail gives you a 1,250-foot elevation gain over the course of 1.42 miles. There are some spots where you’ll find loose gravel, so be on the lookout – it can be dangerous.
Pro tip: Cholla Trail drops you off in a great spot to watch the sun rise.
For most people, the out-and-back Cholla Trail takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete. The hike is moderately challenging, but the views are completely worth it. The first mile is pretty standard trail hiking, but after that, it becomes more intense – you’ll face rock scrambles on your way to the trail’s summit.
Fun fact: You might encounter some wildlife on your hike, depending on what time you go. You may see hawks swooping overhead, antelope squirrels darting across your path, quail, road runners, chuckwalla and – sorry – a rattlesnake or two (so be on the lookout).
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
There are plenty of hiking trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve (more than 200 miles of them, in fact), but even if you’re not hiking, there’s plenty to do and see in this Sonoran Desert gem.
But in case you’re interested, hiking trails of various difficulty in the park include:
But in case you’re interested, hiking trails of various difficulty in the park include:
o Bajada Nature Trail
o Gateway Loop
o Horseshoe Loop
o Kovach Family Nature Trail
o Lookout Viewpoint
o Marcus Landslide
o Old Jeep Trail
o Ringtail Trail
o Sunrise Trail East
o Taliesin Overlook
o Tom’s Thumb
McDowell Sonoran Preserve includes more than 30,500 contiguous acres. The Conservancy Kids program and others offer short walks, talks, educational gatherings and so much more. You can check out the preserve’s current schedule here.
