The White Tank Mountains are located in the west valley just outside of Phoenix. One of the most popular trails in the White Tank mountains is the Waterfall Trail. This is a family friendly hike in Phoenix and a good spot to view petroglyphs.
This easy hike has a paved path that turns to dirt. It gradually winds up towards huge granite rock. Don’t expect a waterfall at the end of the trail, when we visited it was just a trickle with a small pool of water. Your best bet is to visit after a recent rain as this is a seasonal waterfall.
Where can you see the Petroglyphs?
This is a cool area to hike in because the park was once home to the Hohokam Indians and there are a number of petroglyphs scattered throughout the park.
The highest concentration of petroglyphs is along the Waterfall Canyon Trail and near the entrance to the box canyon that gives the trail its name.
About the White Tank Mountains Park
The White Tanks is a great park to hike in for both those with little kids and avid hikers. With 25 miles of trails and difficulty from easy to strenuous, there is a hike for everyone here.
With an elevation of 4,000 feet at it’s highest peak, the White Tanks has numerous ridges and canyons. Heavy rainfalls cause flash flood waters to score out a series of depressions in the white granite rock in the mountains and thus the name “White Tanks”
Trails within the Park include:
- Bajada 0.9 mi
- Black Rock Long Loop: 1.3 mi
- Black Rock Short Loop: 0.5 mi
- Ford Canyon : 7.6 mi
- Goat Camp: 6.3 mi
- Ironwood: 0.9 mi
- Mesquite Canyon : 4.1 mi
- South: 1.0 mi
- Waddell: 1.0 mi
- Waterfall: 0.9 mi
- Willow Canyon : 1.7 mi
In addition to walking or biking you can also go horseback riding in the White Tanks.
Cost: Vehicle entry fee is required.
Address: 13025 N. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell
Directions: 4 miles W on Olive St from Hwy 303
Hours: Sun-Thu: 6am-8pm, Fri-Sat: 6am-10pm
Nearby Attractions:
- World Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium (about 6 miles)
- Sahuaro Ranch Park ( about 19 miles)
- Glendale (about 20 miles)
- Cerreta’s Chocolate Factory (about 20 miles)