Phoenix / Scottsdale - hiking FROM hotel insight

Question

Looking for hotels/ resorts that are within walking distance of trailheads for hiking in the greater Phoenix / Scottsdale area. Trying to avoid having to drive to trail heads. Loved being able to hike directly from our hotel in Sedona. Looking for something similar. Thanks all!

Answer

In the greater Phoenix and Scottsdale area, unlike Sedona, most trailheads are not directly adjacent to hotels due to the more spread-out urban and suburban layout. However, there are some resorts and hotels that provide direct or very short walking access to trails, particularly in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Camelback Mountain, and Pinnacle Peak areas. Here are some suggestions:

Scottsdale / McDowell Sonoran Preserve Area

The Scott Resort & Spa: Located near Old Town Scottsdale and a short walk or bike ride to the Scottsdale McDowell Preserve trailheads.
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows: Adjacent to the preserve and offers resort access with walking options onto the Gateway Loop and other nearby trails.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: While not directly on a trail, it is close to access points of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with a short drive or longer walk.

Paradise Valley / Camelback Mountain

Royal Palms Resort and Spa: Within walking distance to the trailheads for Camelback Mountain, including the popular Cholla Trail.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort: Offers walking access to Echo Canyon and Cholla trails from resort property or via a short connecting path.

Pinnacle Peak / North Scottsdale

Pinnacle Peak Resort & Spa: While smaller and boutique, some lodgings in this area allow for easy access to Pinnacle Peak Trail.
Vacation rentals in North Scottsdale: Consider Airbnb or VRBO properties directly adjacent to the preserve or with private access to trails. This is often the closest experience to hiking “from your door.”

Tips for Planning:

Walking directly onto a trail from a hotel is more feasible in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve or Paradise Valley/Camelback Mountain areas than in central Phoenix.
Check maps of trailheads in relation to hotels; some hotels advertise walking access but require navigating roads that may not be pedestrian-friendly.
If staying in Old Town Scottsdale, you can often combine short walks to the Preserve with shuttle, bike, or short drive to other nearby trails.

In summary, for hiking directly from your hotel, the best options are in Scottsdale near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve or Paradise Valley near Camelback Mountain, with luxury resorts like Andaz Scottsdale, Royal Palms, and Sanctuary Camelback providing the closest access. Vacation rentals in these areas can also give a true “step outside to trail” experience similar to Sedona.

Phoenix / Scottsdale - hiking FROM hotel insight

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