Superstition Mountains (Arizona)

The Superstition Mountains are about 50 minutes from Scottsdale and make for a great day trip. 

Our first stop was Lost Dutchman State Park where there are multiple trails for hiking and mountain biking. Dogs are welcome on some trails but not all. 

We chose to hike the 2.4-mile Treasure Loop Trail. It was rated moderate, but was fairly easy for 90% of the time. There was a short section that was steep and wasn't as smooth as the rest. The hike, which had a 500-foot gain in elevation, took us to the base of the mountain. As we hiked in spring, the terrain was fairly green with plenty of cacti and wild flowers.

Just a few miles away from the state park is Goldfield Ghost Town, the remnants of an 1893 mining town that has been converted into a tourist attraction. You can stroll the main street, visiting shops and businesses to learn about the history of the town and life in the wild west. Attractions include a zip line, train ride, mining for gold, a reptile museum and more. There are several options for food.

On weekends, a group of local volunteers stage a gunfight in the street every hour from 12-4.

Finally, we made a 25-minute drive to Canyon Lake, a recreation area for boaters and beachgoers.