Arizona · Hiking

Palo Verde

Palo VerdePhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
4.3 mi
round trip
265 ft
climb
1,942 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Palo Verde open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 7 alerts for Cave Creek Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Cave Creek Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Palo Verde is a moderate 4.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Cave Creek Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona. The trail runs from a low of about 1,794 feet to a high of about 1,942 feet, with a total elevation gain of 265 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. The cooler months are the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Fountain Hills show March highs around 74°F and November highs around 74°F, while July averages about 103°F. Bikes are allowed, so the hike works for both hikers and riders. The Jojoba hike is just under a mile away, and Bartlett Flat and Riverside Campground offer camping within about 3 miles. The Central Arizona climbing area is roughly 6.6 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Palo Verde

    Best months: November–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      64° / 45°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      67° / 46°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      74° / 51°

      3 wet

    4. Apr

      82° / 56°

      2 wet

    5. May

      91° / 64°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      101° / 73°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      103° / 80°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      102° / 80°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      97° / 74°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      87° / 63°

      2 wet

    11. Nov

      74° / 51°

      2 wet

    12. Dec

      63° / 44°

      3 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fountain Hills, AZ, 17.7 mi away at 1,580 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

JojobaPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Jojoba

~1 min drive

Jojoba is a 2.40-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 73 ft of elevation gain.

Fig SpringPhoto: Tanque Verde, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Fig Spring

~12 min drive

7.13-mile out-and-back trail to Fig Spring in Arizona with 336 ft of elevation gain.

DiamondPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Diamond

~15 min drive

Diamond is a 4.22-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 749 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Telegraph Line Trail

~13 min drive

19.26-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 3,740 ft elevation gain/loss

Eagle Trail (Youth Groups Only)Photo: isydia Vibes, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Eagle Trail (Youth Groups Only)

~16 min drive

0.36-mile loop in Arizona with 65 ft elevation gain and 1,743 ft max elevation.

BallantinePhoto: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ballantine

~18 min drive

19.94-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 2,762 ft elevation gain.

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Verde Trail

~16 min drive

6.28-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 345 ft elevation gain

Scout Trail (Youth Groups Only)Photo: isydia Vibes, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Scout Trail (Youth Groups Only)

~16 min drive

0.77-mile loop trail in Arizona with 50 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Copper Camp

~13 min drive

15.06-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 2,844 ft gain

HIKE

Pine Creek Loop

~17 min drive

2.54-mile loop trail in Arizona with 494 ft of elevation gain.