About Mormon Trailhead
Mormon Trailhead offers a moderately challenging desert hike with significant incline, rewarding families with stunning panoramic views of the cities and abundant opportunities for children to explore and climb large rocks. It provides a vigorous leg workout amidst beautiful natural scenery.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with active school-aged children seeking a moderately challenging outdoor adventure.Parents looking for a scenic hike with rewarding views and opportunities for kids to explore rocks.Early morning outings to beat the heat and secure parking.Those looking for a good leg workout in a natural setting.**Ideal for:** Active school-aged children (5-6 years and older) who enjoy climbing and physical challenges.
Why families love it
- Incredible and stunning panoramic views of the cities and natural landscape.
- Challenging yet doable hike, suitable for active families seeking an outdoor adventure.
- Numerous large, climbable rocks for children to explore and interact with the environment.
- Offers a significant incline, providing a great leg workout.
- Plenty of designated spots along the trail to stop, rest, and catch your breath.
- Stunning panoramic views that serve as a rewarding payoff for the hike.
Insider tips
- **Arrive very early:** To secure one of the limited parking spots, especially on weekends or busy days, as street parking is not allowed.
- **Bring ample water:** Pack at least 1.5L (50oz) of water per person. Reviewers advise turning back if half your water is consumed by the halfway point due to intense Arizona heat.
- **Wear appropriate footwear:** Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support are highly recommended due to the rocky, potentially slippery terrain.
- **Be mindful of the heat:** Plan hikes for cooler parts of the day, especially in Arizona's intense heat.
- **Practice Leave No Trace:** Encourage children to carry out all trash (including gum wrappers and dog poop bags) to maintain trail cleanliness, as litter is a reported issue.
Good to know before you go
- Mid-day hikes during intense Arizona heat.
- If you have toddlers or very young children (under 5-6 years old) or require stroller accessibility.
- If you or your children require restroom facilities on the trail.
- If you are unprepared for limited parking and potential crowds (arrive early instead).
- Parking is extremely limited and fills up very quickly; street parking is strictly prohibited.
- Crowds
- Implied to be busy, especially during peak times, as parking spots fill up quickly. Arriving early is recommended to avoid crowds and secure parking.
- Value
- No pricing information provided in reviews; presumably a free public trail. Value is derived from access to stunning natural scenery and a challenging outdoor activity.
- Food
- No explicit food policy, but it is implied and recommended to bring your own water and snacks due to the length and challenge of the hike, and intense heat.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned. The trail's description (rocky, incline, no restrooms) suggests it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Safety
- No explicit safety features (e.g., staff, first aid stations) are mentioned for the trail. Safety relies on personal preparedness regarding water, appropriate footwear, and awareness of the challenging terrain and heat.
What parents say
"This was my first time on this hiking trail, and I would rate it as a moderate hike. There’s a lot of incline, but the views along the way are incredible. There are also plenty of spots to stop and catch your breath. The scenery is absolutely stunning. However, parking can be a challenge as it’s very limited in this area. If you plan to hike here, I highly recommend arriving early since parking spots fill up quickly, and street parking is not allowed. Be sure to bring enough water—at least a 15 oz (1.5L) bottle. If you’ve already consumed half of your water by the halfway point, I’d suggest t"
a month ago
"Great hiking location. Challenging enough for the family to have lots to see and explore! Lots of big rocks to climb and awesome view of the cities."
a month ago
"I absolutely loved it! The mountain was rocky, and there were numerous stones stacked on top of each other, some appearing to have a precious quality. It was truly extraordinary. However, I really wish it had a restroom for convenience"
2 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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