Mondays - What to do? Hiking Recs

Question

Hi,

We’ll be in town for Spring Training and I realised my team has an off day (no games) on a Monday. We’ll be based in Surprise. Looking on ideas of what to do that day. We’ll have a rental car. Two 30 somethings, husband and wife.

Would have been most interested in going to the Phoenix Art Museum but it’s closed Mondays. Was previously in Phoenix in Sept and hit up the ASU Art Museum and Botanical Gardens - we tried to avoid a lot of outdoor activities due to the heat - however would like to maybe do a hike this day as it’s cooler. Not interested the Heard Museum or Musical Museum. Zoo seems expensive.

I would love to do the Camelback Mountain trail but sounds too advance for us, I’m not looking for any trails where you have to fit through tight gaps (Fat Man’s Pass) or start scrambling using your hands. And Camelback sounds like it’s too busy all the time. We do 4miles at our local reserve which includes up and down inclines. I would prefer a loop trail. Should we find a trail on the Surprise area rather than Phoenix? Recommendations please.

Open to ideas.

Many thanks

Answer

Since you’ll be based in Surprise and looking for a manageable, scenic hike on a cooler Monday, you have several excellent options nearby that avoid the crowds and advanced scrambling like Camelback. Focusing on loop trails and moderate inclines will suit your 4-mile experience level.

Here are some top hiking suggestions near Surprise and the northwest Phoenix area:

White Tank Mountain Regional Park: About a 20-minute drive from Surprise, this park offers multiple loop trails suitable for moderate hikers. The Waterfall Trail is popular, approximately 2 miles round trip, and while not a full loop, you can combine it with the North and South Wash trails to create a longer 4-mile loop. The scenery includes desert wildflowers, rocky washes, and seasonal waterfalls after rains.
Hassayampa River Preserve: Located in northwest Phoenix near Wickenburg, this is a flat, easy trail along the river. A loop trail of about 3 miles gives a peaceful desert riparian experience with birds and wildlife. Very low elevation gain and minimal exposure to crowds.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park: Roughly 30 minutes south of Surprise, you can combine trails like the Goldmine Loop (about 4 miles) which offers gentle elevation, scenic desert landscapes, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Less crowded than Camelback or South Mountain.
New River / Cave Creek Area: Slightly further north, there are a few moderate loop trails such as the New River Trail or Black Mountain Loop. These give panoramic views without requiring any scrambling.

If you’d like a mix of outdoors and relaxation on a Monday, you could consider pairing a morning hike with a local café or brewery in Surprise for lunch, and then perhaps a scenic drive through the Sonoran Desert in the afternoon. This keeps your day active but not exhausting, especially if the temperatures rise.

Start early (before 9am) to avoid heat and crowds, especially at White Tank Mountain or Estrella Mountain.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat – even in spring, the desert sun can be strong.
Check the park websites or visitor centers for any trail closures or updates.

Overall, White Tank Mountain Regional Park is likely the best combination of proximity, scenery, and a moderate loop trail suitable for your abilities. It’s also less busy than central Phoenix trails and provides a true desert hiking experience without the tight gaps or scrambling challenges.