Phoenix Closes Popular Hiking Trails As Extreme Heat Warning Continues

PHOENIX, AZ — Several of Phoenix's most popular hiking trails will be closed during the hottest part of the day this week as extreme heat grips the Valley.

The closures are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday after the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning, according to the city.

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The restrictions affect some of Phoenix's busiest hiking areas, including:

• Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon and Cholla trails
• Piestewa Peak: Summit Trail and connecting trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve
• South Mountain Park and Preserve: Holbert Trail, Mormon Trail, Hau'Pal Loop Trail and the section of National Trail accessed from Pima Canyon Trailhead

The city said hiking is prohibited on those trails during closure hours and strongly discouraged on all Phoenix trails between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. while the heat warning remains in effect.

Officials are reminding residents to avoid hiking during extreme heat and to follow the city's "Take a Hike. Do it Right." safety guidelines.

The closures are part of Phoenix's Trails and Heat Safety Program, which automatically takes effect whenever the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning. The program is designed to reduce heat-related emergencies and limit the risks faced by first responders during mountain rescues.

City officials say the program has helped reduce rescues on restricted trails. Heat-related trail rescues dropped from 57 in 2021 to 47 in 2022 and 30 in 2023, before rising slightly to 35 in 2024.

During 2024, Phoenix activated trail closures on 45 days tied to extreme heat warnings between May 1 and Oct. 13. That same period included 121 days with temperatures above 105 degrees, including 69 days above 110 degrees.

South Mountain Park will remain mostly open despite the restrictions. The National Trail will still be accessible from other trailheads, and other trails at the Pima Canyon Trailhead remain open. More than 100 miles of South Mountain trails will remain available, with fewer than 7 miles affected by the closures.

The daytime restrictions will remain in place through Thursday as Phoenix officials urge hikers to take precautions and avoid dangerous conditions during the heat wave.