South Mountain Park and Preserve

About

16,000-acre area with many trails, wildlife & a drivable road to a lookout with sweeping city views.

Visitors rate it highly — 4.8 out of 5 across 10,115 Google reviews. That puts it 1st of the 20 rated parks we list in Phoenix.

It keeps the same hours every day — 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM — which makes planning simple. Parking is the easy part: a free lot, a paid lot and free street parking. And if it does not suit, 19 more parks in Phoenix are listed further down this page.

The quick take

Drawn from this listing's ratings, amenities, hours and how it stacks up against other parks in Phoenix.

What works

Consistently well reviewed
4.8 stars held across 10,115 reviews is not a fluke — people keep going back.
The best-rated in Phoenix
Measured against the 20 rated parks we track in Phoenix.
A genuine local landmark
10,115 reviews is the kind of number a place only reaches when the whole city knows it.
Open every day
The same hours all week (5:00 AM – 7:00 PM), so there is no schedule to memorise.
Works with kids
Flagged as family-friendly, which usually means room to run and somewhere for the adults to sit.

Worth knowing first

Popular enough to be busy
10,115 reviews cuts both ways. Weekend afternoons draw a crowd, so go early or go midweek if you want it quiet.

Planning a visit

General guidance for parks, adjusted for what this listing records.

What to expect

Open lawns, paths and benches — the kind of place that works for a twenty-minute break or a whole afternoon, depending on what you bring with you.

A good fit for walkers, picnickers and anyone after a green pause from the surrounding blocks.

When to go

Mornings are the quietest stretch; the lawns fill up in the hours before sunset. The gates are open 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

What to bring

Water
A blanket or folding chair
Sunscreen on clear days

Hours

Monday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Amenities

Family Friendly

Parking Available

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Common questions about South Mountain Park and Preserve

What is South Mountain Park and Preserve?

16,000-acre area with many trails, wildlife & a drivable road to a lookout with sweeping city views. It is a park in Phoenix, AZ, at 10919 S Central Ave.

What are the opening hours at South Mountain Park and Preserve?

South Mountain Park and Preserve is open 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM every day of the week.

Is there parking at South Mountain Park and Preserve?

Parking options here include a free lot, a paid lot and free street parking.

Is South Mountain Park and Preserve good for kids?

Yes — South Mountain Park and Preserve is flagged as family-friendly.

How is South Mountain Park and Preserve rated?

South Mountain Park and Preserve holds 4.8 out of 5 stars from 10,115 Google reviews.

What else is nearby?

Phoenix has 19 other parks listed on AllParx, including Dobbins Lookout, Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.