The Largest Urban Preserve in the U.S. Is Hiding in Arizona — and It's 36 Times the Size of NYC's Central Park
Get out for some fresh air in America's largest urban preserve.
Courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
For some, “getting away from it all” means relaxing in a warm bath with the door closed. For others, it’s being as far away from the rest of the world as possible. If you’re someone who falls into the latter, it’s time to discover the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Conservancy, the largest urban preserve in the nation.
The more than 700 stewards volunteering as part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Conservancy in Arizona have worked alongside the city of Scottsdale to turn the McDowell Sonoran Preserve from a 200-acre green space to more than 35,000 acres to roam, making it 36 times the size of New York City's iconic Central Park. Here, travelers can take part in a number of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to horseback riding and rock climbing, or just come to find a little solitude in the great outdoors.
“As Scottsdale boomed in the ‘90s, concerned citizens worked with the city to preserve the McDowell Mountains and the Sonoran Desert environment that brought Scottsdale to the dance,” Laura McMurchie, Experience Scottsdale’s vice president of communications, told Travel + Leisure. Those same citizens, McMurchie added, “... offer guided hikes and educational programming as well as a robust website detailing the trail system. In addition, visitors can book guided hikes and mountain biking excursions with REI Co-Op Adventure Center Arizona.”
Here’s what else you need to know about planning a trip to the preserve.
Joel Hazelton/Courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
When to Go
Some 1 million people visit the preserve each year. The best time to be among them may be in the late fall and early spring, as this is when the desert region’s weather is at its prime. For example, in April, Scottsdale’s average temperature hovers at a lovely 72 degrees, and is about the same in October, hitting an average of 75 degrees, according to WeatherSpark. Just be cautious if you’re visiting over the summer months, as temperatures can easily hit three digits.
Doug Bennett/Courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
What to Do
Go for a hike: The Preserve offers 225 miles of shared-use trails that guests are welcome to explore on their own. But, those looking to get to know the preserve a little deeper can take part in a guided hike. Offerings include women’s only hikes, educational hikes, and ones focused on just getting in a good sweat.
Attend a lecture: Want to learn something new? Attend one of the many lectures put on by the preserve. The schedule includes chats like "The Bizarre Human History of the McDowells," where listeners will “learn of the impact of the southwestern military, mining, ranching, urbanization, and preservation activities on the natural resources of the area,” and "Desert Hacks and Facts," which answers questions like, “How do I find my direction when my GPS and cell phone don’t work? Can I really start a campfire with a Pepsi can? How do I know what type of animal track I am looking at? What is a glochid? How does a saguaro thrive? Where can I find pierogi?”
Plan an overnight: Can’t enough of the preserve? Spend a night at one of its three campgrounds, which make for the perfect home base for backcountry exploration during the day.
Joel Hazelton/Courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
How to Assist in Its Preservation
After you visit the park, you may feel inspired to help its future preservation. You can do just that by volunteering with the conservation, or by giving to its fund. As the preserve noted on its website, “We would gladly assist you with ways to make a gift that is meaningful to you and has a lasting impact for McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.”
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