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Pemberton Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.0 (102)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Phoenix Metro
  4. …Fountain Hills
  5. McDowell Mountain Regional Park
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“An easy but fun desert ride. ”

Richard Gauer
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15.7

Miles

25.3

KM

60%

Singletrack

2,477' 755 m

High

1,826' 557 m

Low

792' 242 m

Up

791' 241 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Clockwise is the best way to ride this one, with nice singletrack and a slow climb to the halfway mark then high speed doubletrack back to the parking lot.

Need to Know

Check the park web page for entry fees and possible closures for special events.

www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell

Description

The ride is done both clockwise and counter-clockwise, but this description is for clockwise. Start early, as it can be warm in winter and un-rideable in summer. Leave the parking lot on well-marked trail leaving from the southwest corner. From here, it's flat riding until you cross the paved road, at which point you begin a slow, easy climb most of the way to the 9-mile mark.

As you get closer to the McDowell Mountains, the trail gets a little more interesting with large saguaros and some rock outcroppings. At the 9-mile mark, the singletrack turns to doubletrack and exhibits some great high speed riding back to the parking lot.

Contacts

Land Manager: Maricopa County Parks

Shared By:

Richard Gauer with improvements by Brigitte Flanagan
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 102 votes

#1

in McDowell Mountain Regional Park

#189

Overall
  4.0 from 102 votes
5 Star
30%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in McDowell Mountain Regi…

#15

in Arizona

#189

Overall
233 Views Last Month
38,620 Since Jun 28, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
18%
17%
62%
1%
1%
1%
Add a Photo

Photos

Pemberton Loop, starting from the Tom's Thumb Parking Lot on the west side, running clockwise.
Dec 10, 2017 near Rio Verde, AZ
Cruisin' down Rock Knob Trail
May 27, 2014 near Rio Verde, AZ
Pemberton 15 mile trail out out Fountain Hills. 38 min video of my 1hr 6 min ride. Well groomed fun trail! Awesome weather late March 2019
Mar 31, 2019 near Rio Verde, AZ
Jackass Junction after the 2023 Diamond Fire.
Sep 25, 2023 near Rio Verde, AZ
Enjoying the view
Dec 27, 2020 near Rio Verde, AZ
Four Peaks from Scenic Trail at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Sep 26, 2019 near Rio Verde, AZ

8 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 1 day ago
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Check-Ins

Jan 2, 2026
Lisa Cimmino
Dec 12, 2025
Tony Hereau
70 degrees and sunny
Dec 6, 2024
F Felix
Pleasant ride, but a little monotonous and I can't understand what raises this trail to a blue rating—it's very easy.
Oct 30, 2024
Todd Rinaldi
Feb 24, 2024
Dave Montesano
Dec 10, 2023
Robert Janca
Nov 25, 2023
Jared Trouillot
15.7mi
Nov 10, 2023
Mike Matejka
Great loop through the park, steady climb clockwise, nice decent on 2nd half. 21mi — 9h 43m

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