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SaveThis area formerly known as Pima/Dynamite and then Browns Ranch was incorporated into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Some of the old trails were adopted into the Preserve while others were decommissioned or re-routed. The main trailhead is Brown's Ranch at the north end of Alma School Rd. There is plentiful parking here, with water, toilets, and maps. Two more trailheads, Fraesfield off Rio Verde and Granite Mountain off 136th St, are on the east side of the area. There is another trailhead at the NE corner of Pima/Dynamite Rds (can be accessed from either road), which also has water, bathrooms, and maps (upgraded at the end of 2021). The area is multi-use, popular with hikers, runners, equestrians and MTBrs. The farther north you ride, the fewer people you will see.
As for the trails, they are remarkably different than the rest of the valley. The vast majority of the trails are buff smooth, with very few on-trail obstacles. Some technical areas exist and are clearly marked with black diamond signage, and offer rock rolls/drops of various size and difficulty, and technical climbs. There are plenty of spiky flora just off the trail, which probably represents the biggest threat to you and your bike. There is also very little elevation change in the area. The steeper climbs tend to be very short and punchy, and the longer climbs are easy and gradual--most well below 5% grade; Brown's Mountain trail is the one sustained steep climb in the area, rideable either direction. The trails tend to climb when heading toward one of the mountains in the area, and are a fun cruise when heading away. All of this adds up to a great place for beginners, kids, and significant others looking to build their skills. It is also a great single-speed destination for riders looking to avoid hike-a-bike, or for gravel bikes. Note: E-bikes are not allowed on the trails.
The setting is unspoiled Sonoran desert, with very little development nearby. Majestic Saguaros mix with huge granite boulders, with the most dramatic scenery surrounding Cholla and Granite Mountains. Due to the remoteness, come prepared with plenty of water, a bit of food, and the means to fix a flat or chain--it would be a long walk out from the north side trails.
As for the trails, they are remarkably different than the rest of the valley. The vast majority of the trails are buff smooth, with very few on-trail obstacles. Some technical areas exist and are clearly marked with black diamond signage, and offer rock rolls/drops of various size and difficulty, and technical climbs. There are plenty of spiky flora just off the trail, which probably represents the biggest threat to you and your bike. There is also very little elevation change in the area. The steeper climbs tend to be very short and punchy, and the longer climbs are easy and gradual--most well below 5% grade; Brown's Mountain trail is the one sustained steep climb in the area, rideable either direction. The trails tend to climb when heading toward one of the mountains in the area, and are a fun cruise when heading away. All of this adds up to a great place for beginners, kids, and significant others looking to build their skills. It is also a great single-speed destination for riders looking to avoid hike-a-bike, or for gravel bikes. Note: E-bikes are not allowed on the trails.
The setting is unspoiled Sonoran desert, with very little development nearby. Majestic Saguaros mix with huge granite boulders, with the most dramatic scenery surrounding Cholla and Granite Mountains. Due to the remoteness, come prepared with plenty of water, a bit of food, and the means to fix a flat or chain--it would be a long walk out from the north side trails.
Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
eBikes Allowed:
No
Land Status: Regional Recreation Area
google parking directions Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
80 trails
- E-Bike
0 trails
- Hike
95 trails
- Trail Running
95 trails
- Dirtbike/Moto
0 trails
Region Details
- 14
- 1
- 22
- 30
- 10
- 3
Region Status
Open as of May 24, 2026Local Trail Association
Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 96
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 80
- Trails Gravel Bike
- 11
- Trails Horse
- 1
- Trails Hike
- 95
- Trails Trail Running
- 95
- Total Distance
- 103 miles
- Total Descent
- 12,029 ft
- Total Vertical
- 2,582 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 3,954 ft
- Reports
- 726
- Photos
- 314
- Ridden Counter
- 55,543
Popular McDowell Sonoran Preserve Trails
• 75 ★ 3.9 • 1 mile • 7 ft • 950 •
is a fairly smooth, fast and flowy trail that climbs/descends between the Pemberton Loop and the trails accessed from the Tom's Thumb trailhead (which are very popular with hikers). The elevation change and a few short, slightly...
• 70 ★ 4.2 • 7 miles • 305 ft • 897 •
Lots of twists & turns, a few short sand trap crossings keep the speed in check.
• 70 ★ 3.0 • 2,260 ft • 64 ft • 688 •
Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used both directions. On average it takes 4 minutes to complete this trail.
• 85 ★ 2.0 • 548 ft • 8 ft • 518 •
Reroute of Service Road #1 at crossing of North 128th St.
• 75 ★ 3.7 • 3,799 ft • 73 ft • 512 •
Popular green difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 73 ft green climb. On average it takes 4 minutes to complete this trail.
• 80 ★ 3.9 • 2 miles • 444 ft • 511 •
is a fairly mellow access trail into the larger McDowell Preserve, or a good neighborhood ride if you live in the area. It makes a nice shorter loop when combined with trail. The trail has some rocky sections, but overall this is one of...
• 80 ★ 0.0 • 509 ft • 12 ft • 464 •
Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used both directions. It features other. On average it takes minutes to complete this trail.
Mountain Bike Routes
★ 4.0 • 47 miles • 9,391 ft • 14 • Loop •
This route goes over all the passes & saddles in the McDowell Mtns. including all 3 trails to Tom's...
★ 4.5 • 9 miles • 2,021 ft • 7 •
Hike-a-bike to a little downhill to steep uphill to a lotta downhill.
★ 3.0 • 63 miles • 6,191 ft • 32 • Loop •
This is the of the AES McDowell Mountains course, at approximately 63 miles. No longer on the AES race...
27 miles • 1,732 ft • 16 • Loop •
Here's a great route for the singlespeeders out there. I made this route to take advantage of a single's...
14 miles • 551 ft • 9 • Loop •
A nice beginner trail without much climbing. It is quite scenic and flowy for Arizona.
16 miles • 893 ft • 12 • Loop •
A moderate (mostly) loop in the Middle part of McDowell Sonoran Preserve (formerly Brown's Ranch).
Photos of McDowell Sonoran Preserve Mountain Bike
Videos of McDowell Sonoran Preserve Mountain Bike
trail: Quartz
13:39 |
30 |
Dec 8, 2023
trail: Quartz
5:37 |
42 |
Jun 15, 2020
trail: Andrews-Kinsey Trail
13:54 |
235 |
Mar 19, 2019
trail: Andrews-Kinsey Trail
13:25 |
148 |
Mar 19, 2019
trail: Rock Knob
3:37 |
101 |
Mar 8, 2019
trail: Bell Pass
6:41 |
52 |
Jan 29, 2016
trail: McDowell Mountain Park Acc
0:18 |
200 |
Apr 27, 2015
trail: Javelina
8:19 |
90 |
Oct 19, 2014
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Knob | May 24, 2026 @ 7:04am (America/Phoenix) May 24, 2026 | Ideal | JetinJeff29r | ||
| Feldspar Trail | May 24, 2026 @ 7:04am (America/Phoenix) May 24, 2026 | Ideal | JetinJeff29r | ||
| Gooseneck Trail | May 24, 2026 @ 7:04am (America/Phoenix) May 24, 2026 | Ideal | JetinJeff29r | ||
| Sunrise Trail | May 2, 2026 @ 9:36am (America/Phoenix) May 2, 2026 | Dry | K6fel8 | ||
| McDowell Mountain Park Acc | Apr 26, 2026 @ 7:33am (America/Phoenix) Apr 26, 2026 | Ideal | JetinJeff29r | ||
| Saguaro Nest Trail | Apr 26, 2026 @ 7:33am (America/Phoenix) Apr 26, 2026 | Ideal | JetinJeff29r | ||
| Marcus Landslide | Apr 5, 2026 @ 8:08am (America/Phoenix) Apr 5, 2026 | Dry | Peeejrides | ||
| East End | Mar 13, 2026 @ 7:08am (America/Phoenix) Mar 13, 2026 | Very Dry | yelofleahcim | ||
| Quartz T.H. Connector | Mar 10, 2026 @ 11:54am (America/Phoenix) Mar 10, 2026 | Ideal | javadown1969 | ||
| Quartz | Mar 10, 2026 @ 11:54am (America/Phoenix) Mar 10, 2026 | Ideal | javadown1969 |
Activity Feed
| username | action | type | title | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adlmtb | comment | trail | activity #97105312 | Jun 16, 2026 @ 6:31am Jun 16, 2026 |
| adlmtb | add | photo | activity #97105236 | Jun 16, 2026 @ 6:30am Jun 16, 2026 |
| adlmtb | ridden | trail | activity #97105166 | Jun 16, 2026 @ 6:29am Jun 16, 2026 |
| JetinJeff29r | add | report | activity #95628946 and 2 more | May 27, 2026 @ 6:07am May 27, 2026 |
| surfzup | wishlist | region | activity #94606577 | May 12, 2026 @ 8:21pm May 12, 2026 |
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trail | This is… not a blue. Black diamond for sure. | Jun 16, 2026 @ 6:31am Jun 16, 2026 | ||
| trail | Awesome descent if you're looking for... | Apr 30, 2026 @ 2:24pm Apr 30, 2026 | ||
| trail | This trail is extremely rocky and more... | Feb 18, 2026 @ 3:13pm Feb 18, 2026 | ||
| trail | Bowhead Reach does not go. Shitty gates and... | Jan 17, 2026 @ 8:48am Jan 17, 2026 | ||
| trail | Bowhead reach goes | Jan 17, 2026 @ 8:47am Jan 17, 2026 |
Nearby Areas
| name | distance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park | 21 | 15 | 4 | 4.4 km | |
| Pinacle Peak Park | 5.7 km | ||||
| Brown's Ranch | 60 | 49 | 24 | 8.7 km | |
| Reach 11 Recreation Area | 7 | 9.1 km | |||
| Desert Vista | 18 | 45 | 3 | 12 km |
Local Badges
-
Completionist0 awarded
Activity Type Stats
| activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | ridelogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Bike | 80 | 94 miles | 10,262 ft | 30 miles | 2,543 ft | #764 | #293 | 287 | 725 | 13 | 40,791 | |
| Gravel Bike | 11 | 12 miles | 568 ft | 3 miles | 2,218 ft | #794 | #408 | 58 | 387 | |||
| Horse | 1 | 942 ft | 43 ft | 830 ft | 43 ft | 148 | 6 | |||||
| Hike | 95 | 99 miles | 12,028 ft | 33 miles | 2,582 ft | #575 | #307 | 22 | 725 | 25 | 5,947 | |
| Trail Running | 95 | 99 miles | 12,028 ft | 33 miles | 2,582 ft | #866 | #295 | 725 | 2,515 |
Frequently Asked Questions About McDowell Sonoran Preserve
▼
What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
The highest rated mountain biking trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve are:
- Andrews-Kinsey Trail (4.1/5)
- Gooseneck Trail (4.1/5)
- Caballo Trail (4.1/5)
- Sunrise Trail (4/5)
- Prospector (4/5)
▼
What is the best time of the year to ride in McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
Based on ride log data, the most popular months to ride in McDowell Sonoran Preserve are:
- November (573 activities)
- December (498 activities)
- October (449 activities)
▼
Where can I park to ride in McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
There are 13 parking locations listed in McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The most popular parking spots are:
- Competitive Loop TH
- Trailhead Staging Area
- Fraesfield Mountain TH
- 104th Street (McDowell)
- Adero Canyon Trailhead
▼
What is the longest trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
The longest trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve is Gooseneck Trail at 6.6 miles. View all trails sorted by distance.
Activities
Trails
- Hard trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Easy trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Favorite trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Most ridden trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Singletrack in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Viewpoint trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Trails with technical features in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Race routes in McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- By todd
Trailforks & contributors - Admins: DFMBA
- #4985 - 40,990 views
- mcdowell sonoran preserve activity log | embed map of McDowell Sonoran Preserve mountain bike trails | mcdowell sonoran preserve mountain biking points of interest
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