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Parks and Recreation - Thunderbird Conservation Park |
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 Open: Sunrise to sunset, daily
• Gates locked at Sunset •
Main Entrance: 59th Avenue between
Deer Valley and
Pinnacle Peak roads
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.
TRAIL INFORMATION
| Trail Name |
Description |
Length |
| H-1 |
Originates at 67th Avenue parking lot at Patrick Lane and concludes at 51st Avenue & Potter. Not designated as a looped trail. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate. |
approximately 5.0 miles |
| H-1a |
Originates at 55th Ave & Pinnacle Peak parking lot and is a looped trail. Level of difficulty is rated at easy. |
approximately 1.25 miles |
| H-2 |
Originates south of Pinnacle Peak parking lot along trail H-1 and ends at Ramadas 14 and 15. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate. |
approximately 1.5 miles |
| H-2a |
Originates as a spur trail off of H-2. This trail ends at the top of the mountain and is one of the highest points in the park. Level of difficulty is rated at easy. |
approximately 1/10 of a mile |
| H-3 |
Originates at parking lot A and ends at H-1 near 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Rd. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
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approximately 3.0 miles |
| H-3a |
Originates from H-3 and is considered a spur that leads to a lookout point from this trail. Not designated as a looped trail. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate. |
approximately 1/8 mile |
| H-4 |
Originates at the North end of the amphitheater, or near Ramada 11. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate. |
approximately 1.3 miles |
| H-4a |
Originates at Ramada 11 and intersects trail H-1 on the west side of the park. Level of difficulty is rated at easy. |
approximately 0.75 miles |
| H-4b |
Originates off of trail H-1 and intersects with H-4. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate. |
approximately 0.4 miles |
| H-5 |
Originates at 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane parking lot and concludes at parking lot B. Level of difficulty is rated at easy. |
approximately 0.75 miles |
| H-5a |
Originates at Ramada 13 and concludes at Ramada 9. Level of difficulty is rated at easy. |
approximately 0.25 miles |
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PARK WILDLIFE
Sonoran Desert Inhabitants |
Mammals
- Desert ground squirrel
- Rock squirrel
- Chipmunk
- Cottontail rabbit
- Jackrabbit
- Kangaroo rat
- Pack rat
- Mice
- Bats
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- Peccary (Javelina)
- Mule deer
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- Coyote
- Gray fox
- Kit fox
- Raccoon
- Coati
- Skunks
- Bobcat
- Mountain lion
- Ringtail
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Reptiles
- Kingsnakes
- Rattlesnakes
- Non-venomous snakes
- Toads and frongs
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- Chuckwalla
- Horned lizard
- Gila monster
- Collared lizard
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- Gecko
- Various lizards
- Desert tortoise
- turtles
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Birds
- Cactus wren
- Gambels quail
- Dove
- Ducks
- Killdeer
- Herons
- Hummingbirds
- Owls
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- Falcons
- Hawks
- Vultures
- Roadrunner
- Osprey
- Raven
- Woodpeckers
- Various song birds
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- Coots
- Loons
- Grebes eagles
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VIEWING BLINDS
 Four wildlife viewing blinds are located at Thunderbird Conservation Park along the north side of the sedimentation basin. Three of the viewing blinds are accessible from the trails off Pinnacle Peak Road and the fourth is handicap accessible and located off 59th Avenue. These blinds provided areas for viewing the park's 50+ different species of birds and wildlife attracted to the man-made water feature. They feature a decorative block wall with "windows" for viewing, benches and a path to access them. Check them out and be sure to bring binoculars to get an even closer look and/or a camera to capture those precious animals.
MORE INFORMATION
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