Local Information | McDowell's

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve lies just to the Northeast of Phoenix, in the city of Scottsdale, and is one of the largest city-owned preserves in the Nation. The Scottsdale area is also home to world-class resorts & spas as well as a wide array of trail systems that connect green spaces that are incorporated within it. Not to mention many other social events that are regularly scheduled here during the Fall-Spring months!

Local Guidebooks

Many of the local outdoor shops and climbing gyms in the area contain the guidebooks for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The main guidebooks for this area include:
McDowell Rock - A Climbing Guide
Marty Karabin Climbing Topos

Outdoor Retailers

The Arizona Hiking Shack is the current outfitter for your recreational needs, located in central Phoenix. They have a great selection of items, and extremely helpful staff to put you in the right equipment.
The Arizona Hiking Shack
3244 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
T: (602) 944-7723

McDowell's Climbing Resources

 There are several knowledgeable businesses and organizations in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, for all of the information for climbing. Contact us through our web form and we will be able to provide current information regarding any route or climbing area that you may be curious about at any time.
Ask Us Here!

Weather Resource

Due to the Sonoran desert environment, sitting at or below 2,000 ft. elevation, Scottsdale receives mainly sunshine with the standard Monsoon Season between mid-July to mid-September each year . It can and does  snow in The McDowell's during the winter and rain often during the Monsoon season, so please be vigilant of convective weather (lightning-producing storms) during the summer months. However, with over 330 days of beautiful sunshine, you're sure to count on a blue-bird day during your stay. Click on the link below to see an accurate NOAA Weather report.
NOAA Weather Forecast