Thunderbird Conservation Park

park finder appOpen: Sunrise to Sunset, daily
• Gates locked at Sunset •
Main Entrance: 59th Avenue between
Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak roads

Be advised: open fires are prohibited in Glendale Parks per Glendale City Code 16-16. 
If you witness park violations please contact the Park Ranger at 623-695-3004.

 


Have You Been Here? If you love getting out in nature, we’ve got the perfect place! Thunderbird Conservation Park has trails for hiking, biking, 

running and even horseback riding! There are also several activities for those who just want a quiet time outside. There’s something for everybody!

https://vimeo.com/777491859/0399a7d002


Information on Adopt-A-Trail.

Thunderbird Conservation Park, a 1,185-acre park in the Hedgpeth Hills, is a conservation park dedicated to preserving the desert environment. The hills were named for Robert Hedgpeth, an early homesteader in the area. The park took its name from the World War II pilot training facility located four miles south of the park. The city of Glendale acquired the park in 1951 through a lease with the federal government. Ownership came in 1956 with the assistance of the Glendale Women’s Club and Glendale Rotary Club. Maricopa County operated the park from 1963 to 1984 and many of the park improvements were made during this time. In 1984 the park was returned to the city. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging and bird watching. About 15 miles of multi-use trails have been constructed, thanks to the efforts of many volunteer groups.

PLEASE BE COURTEOUS
Trails at Thunderbird Conservation can be crowded during high peak use. With more users comes the need for guidelines for wise trail use. Such guidelines can enable all trail users to have the enjoyable experience everyone is looking for. Remember, courtesy is contagious and, who knows, you may make a new friend! Help us protect this fragile environment by staying on the trails.

Download Trail Map

 Trail Name  Description Length Level of Difficulty Rating
Coach Whip Originates at 67th Avenue parking lot at Patrick Lane and concludes at 51st Avenue & Potter. Not designated as a looped trail. Approximately 5.0 Miles  Moderate
Flatlander
Originates at 55th Ave & Pinnacle Peak parking lot and is a looped trail.   Approximately 1.25 Miles
Easy 
Arrowhead Point Originates south of Pinnacle Peak parking lot along the Coach Whip trail and ends at Ramadas 14 and 15.   Approximately 1.5 Miles  Moderate Difficult 
Cholla Loop  Originates at parking lot A and ends at Coach Whip near 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Rd.  Approximately 3.0 Miles  Moderate to Moderate Difficult in certain areas 
Sunrise  Originates at the North end of the amphitheater, or near Ramada 11. A branch of this trail originates at Ramada 11, travels west and intersects the Coach Whip trail on the west side of the park.  Approximately 2.0 Miles with the west branch  Moderate to Moderate Difficult in certain areas 
Ridgeline  Originates off of the Coach Whip trail and intersects with the Sunrise trail.   Approximately .4 Miles  Moderate
Desert Iguana  Originates at 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane parking lot and concludes at parking lot B.   Approximately .75 Miles  Easy 
Chuckwalla  Originates at Ramada 13 and concludes at Ramada 9.   Approximately .25 Miles  Moderate