Bobcat Trail - Sonoran Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona
| Address: | ~Sonoran Desert Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85085, USA |
| GPS: |
33°46'12.7"N 112°6'1.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 2.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 88 feet |
Pet Friendly Restrooms Picnic Tables
Hike
Bobcat Trail is a short, easy path in the southern portion of the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve, the city's large tract of protected Sonoran Desert on the far north side of Phoenix. About two miles out and back, it is most often used as a connector, a gentle warm-up that hikers and riders link into the bigger Dixie Mountain Loop and its neighbors.
The trail runs over what looks like flat ground but actually carries a gradual downhill grade, dropping around 100 feet over its length, and it meets the Dixie Mountain Loop near that loop's two-mile mark, tying into the Valle Verde, Dixie Summit, Western Vista and Hawks Nest trails to build longer rides and hikes. There is no real parking lot at the trail itself, but street parking near the trailhead is easy to find, and most visitors reach it from the preserve's Apache Wash Trailhead off Dove Valley Road.
The scenery is classic upper Sonoran Desert: saguaro, palo verde and open desert with mountains in the distance, and the preserve's trademark trailside posts mark GPS coordinates, elevation and distance along the way. A few dry washes cross the route. Like the rest of the preserve it is best in the cooler months and early mornings, with little shade once the sun is up.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Phoenix, Arizona
- Head west on W Washington St toward 1st Ave (1.2 mi)
- Continue onto W Adams St (0.8 mi)
- Turn right onto N Black Canyon Hwy (75 ft)
- Take the ramp on the left onto I-17 N/US-60 WContinue to follow I-17 N(21.8 mi)
- Take exit 221 for Arizona 303 Loop/Route 221 toward Sonoran Desert Dr/Sonoran Desert Dr S (0.4 mi)
- Turn right onto Sonoran Desert DrDestination will be on the right(1.6 mi)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Dixie Summit Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SA steep, switchback-heavy summit push in Phoenix's Sonoran Preserve rewarded by spectacular panoramic views at the top.
Hike
Dixie Mountain Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SA 4.7-mile beginner-to-moderate loop through the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve with great views of Dove Valley, wildflowers, cactus, and the Teddy Bear Cholla Forest between mile posts 2.6 and 2.75.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike 2.8 mi
Desert Tortoise
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SA doubletrack desert connector and loop trail with reasonable elevation changes and close-proximity Cholla cactus lining the path — good hiking shoes and a leashed dog are a must.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Western Vista Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SA short but fairly difficult trail to one of the Dixie Mountain Loop summits, rewarding the climb with great views and a bird's-eye look at the gravel pit below.
Hike
Dixie Mountain Loop with Two Summits
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SHike, Horseback, and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Union Peak Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
Hawk's Nest/Desert Tortoise/Dixie Mountain Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SA moderate desert loop through creeks and hills with great scenery in Phoenix's Sonoran Preserve — connects Hawk's Nest, Valle Verde, and Dixie Mountain trails.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Hawk's Nest Trail and Dixie Mountain Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
2.0 miles SA moderate connector trail in Phoenix's Sonoran Preserve that links the trailhead to Desert Tortoise Trail and Dixie Mountain Loop — good hiking boots recommended.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Sidewinder-Ocotillo-West Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
2.2 miles NEA Sonoran Desert loop near Phoenix combining the flat Ocotillo Trail with the more elevated, twisty Sidewinder section — bring at least 2 liters of water, there's no shade or water on trail.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Tower Road - Sonoran Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona
2.2 miles NEA short, steep 0.6-mile out-and-back on asphalt to the radio tower in the Sonoran Preserve — a quick, no-frills hill climb in Phoenix.
Hike
Apache Wash Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.0 miles EA moderate desert loop trail at Apache Wash in Phoenix with hilly terrain on the way out and deceivingly challenging flat terrain on the return.
Hike
Sidewinder, Apache Vista, Ocotillo Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.2 miles EA well-maintained, well-signed desert loop with near-perfect views in the Sonoran Preserve — include the summit for a 2.5-mile moderate workout.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Ocotillo/Ridgeback/Sidewinder Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.2 miles EA great moderate loop through classic Sonoran Desert scenery with a summit option, gorgeous views, and multiple access points — bring at least 2 liters of water.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Palisade to Basalt to Circumference Trail Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
3.6 miles SWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
Deem Hills Inner Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
3.6 miles SWHike and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike
Deem Hills East Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.6 miles SWA newer, less-crowded Phoenix park with a just-under-6-mile loop around two hills and more demanding terrain on the east side — well-cut desert trail with a Basalt shortcut option.
Hike
Deem Hills Circumference Trail with Summit
Phoenix, Arizona
4.8 miles SWA just-under-6-mile circumference trail looping two desert hills in Deem Hills Recreation Area, with a ridge summit option offering great overlooks and about 600 feet of total elevation gain.
Hike
Deem Hills Circumference Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.8 miles SWA 10.5-mile moderate mountain bike loop near Phoenix that's primarily used for riding — a straightforward circumference route around Deem Hills.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Clay Mine Trail
Cave Creek, Arizona
6.1 miles NEA short 1.6-mile beginner trail in Cave Creek Regional Park leading to a historic clay mine entrance, with ranger-led tours available and a stretch shared with the horse rental facility.
Hike
Arrowhead Point Trail
Glendale, Arizona
6.7 miles SWA 2.4-mile rocky switchback trail climbs to a flag-topped summit with valley and peak views, then continues to a shaded ramada — classic Sonoran Desert hiking near Glendale.
Hike, Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
29.7 miles SEA 2-mile beginner loop alongside the Salt River in Tonto National Forest, with worn markers that keep things adventurous — watch for wild horses and spring cactus blooms.
Camp, Hike
Buckhorn Campground Nature Trail
Apache Junction, Arizona
34.4 miles SECamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
46.1 miles NENatural hot spring pools beside the Verde River — the remnants of an old resort — reached by wading upstream from a dispersed camping area with no amenities near Sedona.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs
