Trail Descriptions
Deem Hills Park (West Trailhead)
26606 N. Deem Hills Pkwy.
Parking & Entrance Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Trail Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Deem Hills Circumference Trail -
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start from the Deem Hills Park to proceed to Deem Hills Circumference Trail.
Description: The Deem Hills Circumference trail traverses the entire recreation area and commands excellent views of the Phoenix area, the Hedgepeth Hills to the south, and the Hieroglyphic and Bradshaw Mountains to the north.
Taking the Circumference trail will take you around the entire Deem Hills system, but not in the normal way. For instance, on the north side, the Circumference trail cuts into the mountain instead of going around it, taking you into a small valley. For 5.7 miles, you will go through flat sections to steep and rocky sections. You will have fantastic views of the CAP canal to the north and the surrounding mountains. To the south and west, you will see Phoenix surrounding the lower flanks of the hills. And to the east, you will see the McDowell Mountain range.
Distance: 5.7 miles
Elevation Change: 306 feet
Deem Hills Ridgeline Trail -
Difficulty: Difficult
Access: Start from the Deem Hills Park to connect to Deem Hills Circumference Trail. From Deem Hills Circumference Trail, proceed to Deem Hills Ridgeline Trail.
Description: As it's name suggests, the Ridgeline Trail will take you to the highest parts of Deem Hills in between the .50 and .79 trail posts at 2,050 ft. From the trail you will have incredible views all around.
The Ridgeline trail is the most challenging trail in the park with an elevation gain of 353 ft and several steep switchbacks. It has excellent views all around including a great view of Ludden Mountain to the west. The highest point is 2,050 ft. This is where to go for some great panoramic pictures and a workout. You can connect with the Circumference Trail at both the beginning and the end of Ridgeline.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Change: 353 feet
East Trailhead
27428 N. 39th Ave.
Parking & Entrance Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Trail Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Basalt Trail -
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start from East Trailhead to connect to Deem Hills Circumference Trail going north. Turn left off of Deem Hills Circumference Trail onto Watertower Road. Turn left off of Watertower Road to connect to Palisade Trail. From Palisade Trail, proceed to Basalt Trail.
Description: Basalt trail is an important connector in the Deem Hills interior section. You can use it to connect with both east and west sides of the Circumference trail, Ridgeline trail and Palisade. It is short and very rocky at the beginning. Basalt trail also shares .1 mile of the same trail tread as Palisade.
The Basalt trail was named for the amount of Basalt Rock that is visible from the trail. At any point along the trail, one can turn and look to see huge boulders of basalt rock that formed millions of years ago.
Distance: 0.6 miles
Elevation Change: 158 feet
CAP Road Trail -
Difficulty: Easy
Access: Start from East Trailhead to connect to Deem Hills Circumference Trail. From Deem Hills Circumference Trail, proceed to CAP Road Trail.
Description: The CAP Road trail is named after it's proximity to the CAP canal just to it's north. The canal is 336 miles long but the trail runs parallel to it for 1.6 miles of it.
CAP road trail is unmarked and follows the service road on the east side. On the west side, it veers right and follows the chain link fence heading west. It is the closest trail to the canal.
Distance: 1.6 miles
Elevation Change: 104 feet
Palisade Trail -
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start from East Trailhead to connect to Deem Hills Circumference Trail going north. Turn left off of Deem Hills Circumference Trail onto Watertower Road. Turn left off of Watertower Road to proceed to Palisade Trail.
Description: Palisade Trail can be one of the quietest trails at Deem Hills as it takes some work to get to. But once there, you often have 360 panoramic views of the city and the mountains to the east, north and west.
Palisade Trail can be accessed from the Water Tank Road to the east and the Circumference Tail in two areas, both north and east. It is a good trail for running, as you can start out at the Water Tower Trail, connect to Palisade and come back the same way. Often you will forget you are in Phoenix on this trail as it can feel remote. The Palisade also has two additional connectors to the Circumference Trail on the east side to make additional loops. The Palisade trail also shares .1 mile of the same trail tread as Basalt between the .45 and .55 section which is extremely rocky.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Change: 395 feet
Experience the Trail:
Video Fly Over of Palisade Trail 360° Panoramic View of the Palisade Trail Summit
Water Tank Road -
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start from East Trailhead to connect to Deem Hills Circumference Trail going north. Turn left off of Deem Hills Circumference Trail to proceed to WaterTower Road.
Description: The Water Tank Road is the shortest trail and is the asphalt road that bisects Circumference Trail on the northeast side and provides access to Palisade Trail at the .2 mark. It is popular with runners and people bringing their pets. There are great views of the Bradshaw Mountains to the north as well. Just remember to yield to vehicles as this is a service road that is used often.
The Water Tank Road is an active road, so always be cautious when using. During it's 0.4 miles you will have fantastic views to the north and northeast as you use it as an out and back trail or connect to Palisade Trail.
Distance: 0.4 miles
Elevation Change: 200 feet
