Too Hot to Hike
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Phoenix Trails Close as Triple-Digit Heat Hits Early
Temperatures soaring into the triple digits before the official start of spring are forcing widespread closures and restrictions across some of the most popular hiking trails in the Phoenix area, marking the earliest enforcement of the city’s extreme heat safety rule since it was enacted five years ago.
City officials say the regulation—designed to protect hikers from dangerous and sometimes deadly conditions—requires certain high-risk trails to close once temperatures reach a specific threshold. This week’s unseasonably intense heat has triggered those closures weeks earlier than typically seen, raising concerns about what could be a long and punishing summer ahead.
Due to extreme heat, the City of Phoenix has closed Camelback Mountain (Echo and Cholla trails) and all trails at Piestewa Peak to hikers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, March 22, 2026. These restrictions are triggered by extreme heat warnings to prevent heat-related emergencies, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Officials say the closures are not taken lightly, but are necessary given how quickly conditions can become dangerous—especially on steep, exposed terrain with little shade.
Camelback Mountain, one of the most iconic hikes in Arizona, is among the most impacted. Known for its rugged ascent and sections that require scrambling over large boulders near the summit, the trail is considered one of the most physically demanding in the region.
“Camelback is already a difficult climb under normal conditions,” said Holly Winter, life-long Arizona resident. “With temperatures already hitting triple digits in March, it creates a serious risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion and worse. The rock itself heats up, and that adds another layer of danger.”
Key Trail Closures and Restrictions (Phoenix Area)
Camelback Mountain: Echo and Cholla trails are closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Piestewa Peak: All trails associated with this trailhead are closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Mountain Park/Preserve: Specific high-risk trails are restricted during peak heat hours, though many of the park’s more than 100 miles of trails remain open earlier in the day
While some access remains available in areas like South Mountain, officials stress that hikers should carefully follow posted signage and be aware that conditions can change rapidly.
Important Safety Information
Closure Timing: Restrictions are in effect daily through Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Alternatives: Hikers are urged to explore other trails or begin hikes very early in the morning, finishing before 8 a.m.
Alternative Trails: Some trails, particularly within South Mountain, remain open but require extra caution
Conditions: The restrictions are prompted by temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees—and often climb significantly higher—triggering warnings from the Arizona Department of Health Services
Despite the closures during peak hours, some trails reopen in the evening once temperatures begin to drop. After 5 p.m., routes such as Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain have allowed hikers back, though officials caution that heat can linger well into the evening.
Hikers who ventured out during the limited windows described the conditions as far more intense than typical March weather.
I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve never seen it this hot this early. Even starting early in the morning, it felt like mid-summer. You could feel the heat coming off the rocks~local hiker Brian Foster
Another hiker, Alicia Gomez, said she waited until after reopening hours to attempt the climb—but still struggled.
“I went up after five thinking it would be better, but it was still really tough,” Gomez said. “You have to take more breaks, drink constantly—it’s just a lot harder than usual. It definitely caught me off guard for March.”
Emergency responders say early-season heat can be especially dangerous because many hikers are not yet acclimated to extreme temperatures.
“This kind of heat sneaks up on people,” said a Phoenix official. “They’re used to cooler winter hiking conditions, and suddenly it’s triple digits. That’s when we start seeing more rescue calls.”
Officials continue to urge anyone planning to hike to take precautions, including carrying more water than they think they’ll need, wearing sun protection, and avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours.
With temperatures already reaching triple digits before spring has officially begun, authorities warn that Arizona may be facing one of its earliest—and potentially most intense—heat seasons in recent memory.
