help keep the future of New Times free. Visitors can hike or drive to the lookout for a panoramic view of Phoenix. Were so mesmerized by the sunset and the color of the sky that we almost leave too late before the park closes. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Lots of walking/hiking trails. That is very nice as well. 13 Scottsdale Sunset Spots You Should Add to Your Itinerary Awesome place to see the sunset. Dobbins Lookout sits a whopping 2,330 feet above sea level, making it the ideal place to view any part of the greater Phoenix area, with views from Buckeye in the west and the Superstition Mountains to the east. Overall still nothing too crazy but take your time if need be. 335. Visitors can also enjoy the view from the rooftop bar or the observation deck. From every angle throughout the hike, we were getting great colors. If you want to enjoy your vacation then I suggest going in October. Just go slow, especially if you have someone in your group prone to motion sickness. The best sunset spot in Phoenix is located in the South Mountain Park and Preserve. The lookout is closed for updates, but it'll reopen this fall with a new ramada, a new walking path, ADA improvements, and refurbishment of the overlook structure, making one of our favorite places an even better spot to enjoy the view. On the way down, you are on the 'outside', occasionally with no guard rails. We were in a rush because we chose last minute to do this hike for sunset. The hike is well worth the view! Getting right into the action. Funny. It is an out & back trail that starts off very flat and as you get closer to Dobbins lookout, the elevation climbs. - Lost In Phoenix. It gets very crowded. Dobbins Lookout & Holbert Trail - BringFido Well-maintained park. By April, typical high temperatures are in the 80's, but 90's are common (even triple digits can make an appearance as early as April) so make sure to bring water with you and stay hydrated (and don't forget the sunblock). Amazing views. Unless you'll be staying in South (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? My palms were sweating on the steering wheel so dont look down! In the summer, I'm guessing this place is quite hot. Its a popular spot for people who love the city and want to see it at night. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Also the drive up is steep and curvy. Id highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. It is paved and well marked; unless you are uncomfortable driving in dark places, you should be fine. Get to the top and make a right to Dobbins Lookout. Ghastly Victorian-era practices like visiting morgues for entertainment or dressing up corpses for photos are also covered. Pack for daytime high temperatures that average around 72F in July and August, which is the peak of summer here, and also peak tourist season. And if you're so inclined, the park has over 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. This trail also offers educational aspects, as you can see things like pre-Cambrian stone thats centuries old and visible symbols sketched on the rocks by the ancient Hohokam people, nicknamed petroglyph alley. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Try this 4.2-mile out-and-back trail near Phoenix, Arizona. The abandoned, dilapidated buildings sprinkled throughout the South Mountain Preserve were birthed from the Great Depression, under the leadership of the U.S.s 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. We didn't stay that long, but the views were worth the drive. Own or manage this property? You also get an excellent view of Phoenix's twin skylines. The view once at the top is well worth it though. The grandest, though, can be found on South Mountain at Dobbins Lookout. The cactuses were putting on a photo shoot for us. A great curvy climb with good pavement and a couple of places to stop and look out. You can drive around to several different viewpoints. your step. Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Phoenix, Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Van Tour, Stunning Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hiking Adventure in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix Ghosts: Phantoms, Psychopaths, & Poltergeists Tour, Small Group Antelope Canyon Day Trip from Phoenix, Centipede Tour - Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV, Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix, Grand Canyon with Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon Van Tour, Granite Reef Kayaking Trip on the Lower Salt River. A trip to Dobbins Lookout in Phoenix is not complete without a hike on the Holbert Hiking Trail. I am avid hiker and spend lots of time outside in Arizona conditioning for the weather. Take a left here then take a right on S Central Ave. Stay on here for a couple of miles as you head into the park. Can be good for trail runs. The view once at the top is well worth it though. The trail leads to a high elevation with a stunning panorama of the city of Scottsdale and Mesa. On the way up you are on the 'inside' of the curves. independent local journalism in Phoenix. Unfortunately, that meant we would not get much time to take a break and enjoy the scenery. If Im not hiking, then the hot air balloon flight with champagne would be a top choice of mine. Such is the case with the road leading to Dobbins Lookout. One of the best scenic views phoenix and the surrounding areas have to offer, I can only imagine how magnificent watching sunset here might be. How is the trip back down the mountain? Phoenix, AZ. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Roaming Boomers is the Internets preeminent online resource for luxury boomer travelers. Seriously, the man is more cut than a sliced apple. It was fairly easy to find and it was a nice drive through the park up South Mountain. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Go when it's cooler and enjoy the views. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Overall I really enjoyed taking Holbert Trail up to Dobbins lookout for sunset. Cool petroglyphs near the trailhead tho!" lc4441 Dec 6, 2022 "Hiked this a few . Read our, Recommended experiences in and around Phoenix. You have a view of Phoenix almost the entire hike. Shop, Art, History, Food. Hike Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout - The Outbound Sunset Drive down Dobbins Lookout 1 of best the views over - YouTube When hiking down after sunset, it's kinda dangerous. It serves its purpose, so you are not speeding as you start climbing. Alta Trail and Bajada Trail Loop from Summit Road, Ranger, Bajada, and Max Delta Trails Loop, Ranger, Pyramid, Bees Knees National Trail Loop, Goat Hill via Ranger Trail and Las Lomitas Loop, Holbert, National and Corona de Loma Trail, Corona de Loma Trail to Lower Corona Trail, Phoenix Mountain Road, Las Lomitas, Mahatuak, and Crosscut Loop. Easy access. This is a great trail to hit for sunrise or sunset. If youre feeling energetic, you can take your bike and ride up the trail to the lookout. Just a few minutes' drive from central Phoenix. Trail had a good amount of shade until the last 100 ft to the top. See all photos from Jessica S. for South Mountain Park. We started from the south entrance. Bring sunscreen There were a couple of points where it looks like they do (or did) collect fees for entrance, but no one was on duty the day we went (Presidents' Day, so maybe that was special?). A short walk from the car park takes you to a covered stone viewing area sheltered from the sun. To apply, you had to be an unemployed, unmarried man, between the ages of 18 and 23. Great views of the entire valley of the sun. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Late night arrival PHX - pick up rental car? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without. The hike was great and the weather was absolutely perfect on this day. On the way down, you are on the 'outside', occasionally with no guard rails. How many other city parks can say that? At night, this is a dark and confusing place for non locals and why people have to call park rangers for rescue. They're a staple of social media posts, and well worth enduring the hassles of life in the Valley. None of the buildings besides the one at Dobbins Lookout sit on or near the road, and all the roadside turnouts nearby are blocked with large boulders. Signs are well-marked for the lookout, though. Exploring Phoenix: Dobbins Lookout. - See World Not SeaWorld But Hammerstone isn't all brawn and no brains; the dude's got a sense of humor, too. Dobbins Lookout: South Mountain Park & Preserve Phoenix's independent source of The view is worth the drive. We drove up to the summit and arrived as the sun had just started to set. Below are some highly ranked activities in the area of Phoenix and Scottsdale. The trail to the Lookout is four miles roundtrip, and you can even hike back. We don't really want to hike 2 miles to do it. This is when the temperatures are much cooler. Hiking the Holbert trail to Dobbins Lookout is something the whole family can do and thoroughly enjoy. The only reason I didnt give it 5 stars was the ending. Climb onto the lookout platform and feel like the master of all you survey. Good job Phoenix! Even the pit toilets at the top were as clean as you could expect. It was a sunny day and we could readily see all of Phoenix spread out in the valley below us. Each camp had around 150 to 250 men who were under the command of legitimate military personnel. This is also becoming a hotspot for vacations and bachelorette parties. Good for people that don't totally want to hike but want the experience. Later, as we walked back to the car, more spots had opened up. Dobbins Lookout 121 Reviews #21 of 245 things to do in Phoenix Sights & Landmarks, Lookouts North Summit Road, South Mountain Park, Phoenix, AZ 85042 Open today: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Save michael m Phoenix, Arizona 99 27 Good scenic drive both in daytime and nighttime. Dobbins Lookout (Phoenix): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor DOBBINS LOOKOUT - 246 Photos & 39 Reviews - Yelp It was just as hilarious as any of the God of Thunder's jokes in Thor: Ragnarok. Dobbins Lookout (Phoenix) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Beautiful at Sunset but. - Review of Dobbins Lookout, Phoenix, AZ Dobbins Lookout, Phoenix: Hours, Address, Dobbins Lookout Reviews: 4.5/5. People sell Indian trinkets and gifts at the parking lot at the top and you can see the entire Valley of the Sun spread out below you. Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona. I hiked this yesterday and I brought 3 liters of water with me. Dobbins Lookout, in the South Mountain Park & Preserve, is a fabulous destination for a Sunday drive. See Phoenix, AZ from above by taking your dog to Dobbins Lookout. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dobbins Lookout is a free Phoenix attraction that features great views. The ride down was easy but I pitied the long lines of cars stuck behind more cyclists. From here you can clearly see downtown Phoenix and surrounding cities, McDowell Mountains, Piestewa Peak, Camelback Mountain, and the Superstitions. Just gorgeous. There is a parking lot at the top and a structure with a great view of the entire valley. You can also drive up to the summit to catch the views as well! Dobbins lookout is a popular high point in South Mountain Park that offers views of the entire Phoenix area.