Phoenix Houses Largest Municipal Park In The Country South Mountain Park

At over 16,000 acres of Phoenix real estate, South Mountain Park/Preserve in Phoenix

, Arizona often is referred to as the largest municipal park in the entire country. Why is that? This spectacular park flaunts a wealth of magnificently rugged terrain, including 51 miles of hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails.

History: South Mountain Park/Preserve consists of three mountain ranges, the Gila, the Ma Ha Tauk and the Guadalupe, that stretch diagonally from southwest to northeast. Nearly a century ago, in 1924, a group of prominent Phoenicians realized the value of preserving this majestic real estate for future generations, and with the help of then-Senator Carl Hayden, they purchased 13,000 acres from the federal government for what was at the time quite a substantial sum: $17,000. In 1935, the National Park Service developed a master-plan for the park with riding and hiking trails, picnic areas and overlooks. Based on this plan, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the parks facilities and ramadas.

Terrain: South Mountain Park/Preserve, like all of the Phoenix mountain Preserves, is an open, undeveloped desert area. While you can drive a winding roadway to a scenic overlook boasting full-valley views, if youre considering outdoor activities, be sure to know your abilities and limits, wear proper clothing and shoes, take plenty of water even in the wintertime, and be aware of your surroundings it is very rocky terrain and there is always the possibility of encountering rattlesnakes and other live hazards native to the Sonoran Desert.

Flora/Fauna: More than 300 species of plant life are found in South Mountain Park/Preserve, including a wide variety of desert trees (such as Palo Verde, mesquite and ironwood) as well as numerous types of cacti: saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla, prickly pear and more. Common fauna include scorpions, sun-spiders, centipedes, beetles and ants, while reptilian inhabitants include lizards, desert tortoises, Gila monsters, horned lizards, geckos and several species of snakes, including the afore-mentioned rattlesnakes. Mammals often spotted range from jackrabbits and cottontail rabbits to coyotes, javelinas and kit fox. Bird populations vary according to season but include great horned owls, roadrunners, Gambels Quail, mourning doves and hawks.

Highest points: A little-known fact about the park is that its highest point, which is not accessible to the public, is Mount Suppoa which reaches 2,690 feet. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point accessible by trail.

Silent Sundays: Generally held on the fourth Sunday of the month, on Silent Sundays, the park's roadways past the Central Avenue gate are reserved for non-motorized use. Walkers, strollers, hikers, bikers, horseback-riders and skateboarders are welcome to enjoy the park without worrying about cars on the roads.

by: Tasha Vatistas

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