Superstition Mountains: Hiking near Mesa, AZ at Lost Dutchman State Park

When my family traveled to Arizona a few months ago, I couldn’t wait for the sun and the 80-degree forecast. I wasn’t prepared, though, for how deeply I fell in love with the Grand Canyon State. The Superstition Mountains near Mesa, AZ are a huge part of my new obsession with the Southwest desert. Here, you’ll read why.

You see, I’m a Pacific Northwest girl at heart. I grew up in Oregon and, after trying out life on both coasts and even overseas, made my way back to the Beaver State. I even have a Douglas fir forest tattooed on my forearm.

Don’t tell those trees how much I adore cacti. (Sometimes I even impersonate them.)

Whether you’re a longtime Arizona-lover or a new convert like me, make your way to Lost Dutchman State Park and explore the Superstition Mountains. Hiking through the desert landscape here was one of my favorite things to do near Mesa, AZ. 

Read on to learn about Superstition Mountain trails, how to enjoy Lost Dutchman State Park, and even fun trivia about the legend of the Superstition Mountains. (Spoiler: It involves still-buried treasure!)

Superstition Mountains, Arizona: The details

When we visited, we accessed the Superstition Mountains from Lost Dutchman State Park, near Mesa, AZ. The park entrance is just outside Apache Junction, about a half-hour east of Mesa and 40 minutes from Phoenix. 

The Superstition Mountains are big—naturally!—and so you can access trails from other points, too. (Look for other Superstition Mountain hikes near Globe and Gold Canyon.) This post focuses on trails within Lost Dutchman State Park because we spent three days there!

As in all deserts within the Southwest US, you’ll need to take safety precautions. Avoid the hottest part of the day by hiking in the morning. Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Pack snacks (making sure to pack out any trash, of course). Stay on the trail. And of course don’t touch the cacti!

As for the best time to visit the Superstition Mountains, this area is famous for wildflowers that grow in March and April. They bloom after winter rains and don’t last long. It’s no wonder this is the most popular time to see the Superstition Mountains. 

When we visited in February, we got lucky and saw plenty of wildflowers. I hear that the hills around this area are blanketed in multicolored blossoms at the peak of wildflower season. I want to go back for that!

Read on for details on four Superstition Mountain hikes accessible from Lost Dutchman State Park.

Superstition Mountain hiking: Treasure Loop Trail

The Treasure Loop is the most popular trail in Lost Dutchman State Park for a good reason. The moderate 2.4-mile loop gains 500 feet—enough to give you a sweeping view of the desert but moderate enough for inexperienced hikers and even kids. Also, my mother-in-law has had two knee replacements and she handled this trail fine. 

The first part of the trail takes you past towering saguaro cacti, cholla and mesquite trees. As the trail climbs, the vegetation changes from cacti to small bushes.

If you hike first-thing in the morning, walk quietly and keep a keen eye out for wildlife. We saw Gambel’s quail, woodpeckers and other birds, rabbits and lizards. 

The trail winds past gigantic boulders that fell from the mountains’ cliffs ages ago. Maxine wanted to climb every last one of them!

At the highest point of the hike (2,580 feet), you’ll take in expansive views of the saguaro desert below. You can either continue the Treasure Loop back down toward the Lost Dutchman day use area or take the Prospector’s View Trail to extend your hike (see below). 

Superstition Mountain hike: Prospector’s View Trail

This popular hike near Mesa connects Jacob’s Crosscut to the peak of the Treasure Loop. The trail is less than a mile long, and it’s most commonly used to lengthen hiking routes within Lost Dutchman State Park. You can hike it on the way down from Green Boulder (the peak of the Treasure Loop), combine it with Jacob’s Crosscut, or use it as a route to get from the Treasure Loop to the Siphon Draw trail. 

For example, one morning, Hubs and I hiked up one part of the Treasure Loop and back down on Prospector’s View Trail. Then we cut back across on Jacob’s Crosscut to return to our car in the Cholla Day Use Area. 

No matter the route you take, spend some time at the trail’s highest point. The Green Boulder provides a gorgeous view over the saguaro-dotted desert. You can climb out a ways on the enormous rock or take a rest on the bench here. Usually, there is at least one other hiker hanging out at this point so you can ask them to take your picture! (Selfies are great, but sometimes it’s nice to have your whole self in the picture.)

Superstition Mountain hiking: Siphon Draw Trail

As the most strenuous hike within Lost Dutchman State Park, the Siphon Draw Trail is gorgeous—and difficult.

You’ll find the Siphon Draw trailhead within the park (marked by a sign). You can also join this trail from where it meets Jacob’s Crosscut Trail. (This is what I did and is a prettier route.)

This hike is 6 miles long out and back. Its length will vary if you start on the Treasure Loop, join Jacob’s Crosscut and then meet up with Siphon Draw, as I did. 

Trails in the first part of the Siphon Draw hike are wide and well maintained,e similar to the trails in the rest of Lost Dutchman State Park. After you pass the sign marking the entrance to Tonto National Forest, though, the trail becomes primitive. You’ll need to scramble and climb over rocks. At some points, the trail becomes so steep that you’ll need to use your hands, too, and scoot on your bottom on the way down.

The first part of the primitive trail takes you through the basin, or “draw,” of this part of the Superstition Mountains. Rocks have tumbled from the mountainsides and were carried by water to collect in this part of the trail, which is the low part of a V. The trail isn’t well marked, but just stick to the basin—the lowest part of the draw—and you’ll stay on track.

About a mile past the Tonto National Forest sign, the trail becomes very steep and difficult. It gains 2,000 feet here, and you’ll need to climb up some sections using your hands. Many people turn around at this point and don’t make the steep climb up.

This trail leads to the Flatiron, an uneven plateau with incredible views. Up here, you can walk out on rock that looks more like water ripples, take a seat and admire the Sonoran desert from above.

Your hike down is as strenuous as the climb up. The muscles right above my knees were shaking with the strain of keeping me stable on the way down. I was proud that I slipped only once.

A note on safety: Wear sturdy shoes, bring more water than you think you’ll need and go only as far as you’re comfortable going. As with any hike, make sure people know where you’re going before you hit the trail.

Superstition Mountain hiking: Jacob’s Crosscut Trail

Jacob’s Crosscut Trail runs crosswise at the base of the Superstition Mountains, connecting the Treasure Loop, Prospector’s View and Siphon Draw Trails.

This Lost Dutchman State Park hike is mostly flat, making it a great choice for kids and people with mobility or knee challenges.

The trail runs 2 miles out and back. Yes, it’s an easy trail, but it also cuts through gorgeous desert country. You’ll see the native plants the Mesa, AZ area is famous for: saguaros, prickly pear and cholla cacti.

You can also use Jacob’s Crosscut Trail to make your own loop out of several of the trails. One day I hiked the Siphon Draw Trail, then walked back to my car along Jacob’s Crosscut. Another day I made a loop from Treasure Loop to Prospector’s View and back again along Jacob’s Crosscut.

This trail is also open to horses, so watch for road apples!

Lost Dutchman : Native Plant Trail

This super-quick nature trail is a great way to start your visit to Lost Dutchman State Park. Along the flat trail, you’ll see labeled native plants so you can learn to tell your teddy bear cholla from chain fruit cholla.

One of my favorite parts of this easy hike: A pole next to a saguaro measures its growth every year so you can see how much (or how little) these desert cacti grow.

I love learning about native plants, so walking this .25 mile, easy hike near Mesa, AZ was the perfect add-on for my more strenuous hikes.

It’s also a perfect length for young kids. Toddlers can easily handle this loop, leaving them sufficiently worn out to ride in a backpack if you’re tackling more ambitious trails later.

Park at the Lost Dutchman entrance, where you pay the entry fee. The native plant trail will take you about 15 minutes to walk.

Amenities at Lost Dutchman State Park

Had I known I was going to return to Lost Dutchman State Park three times in the week we stayed in Mesa, AZ, I would have bought an Arizona State Park Pass! I didn’t mind paying the $7 – $10 day use fee each day, though, because I like supporting these amazing resources. (Day passes are more expensive on weekends than week days.)

The state park’s amenities are extremely well maintained. Flush toilets and running water make the bathrooms nice—and even acceptable for Maxine when she was in a mood. 😉 Look for potable water at the Palo Verde day use area, Saguaro day use area and the Siphon Draw trailhead. You’ll want to fill your water bottle before you set out on your hike.

A little ranger station sits at the entrance of Lost Dutchman State Park. This is where you pay when you enter. (If you arrive before the park rangers, as I did one day, there’s a self-pay station.) The store inside sells snacks, drinks and books about Arizona. Stop in to get pamphlets on native plants and birds so you can identify them as you hike.

Lost Dutchman SP also offers camping near the Superstition Mountains.

We were staying in an AirBnB in Mesa, AZ so didn’t camp at Lost Dutchman State Park. While I can’t speak for the campgrounds and cabins, everything else we saw at the park looked wonderful.

Legend of the Superstition Mountains

Finally, I want to share with you the legend of the Superstition Mountains!

First, the backstory: Miners successfully found gold in the Superstition Mountains for decades in the 1800s. One mine in particular was said to be shockingly rich—but the people who discovered it were all killed.

In the 1870s, along comes a fellow named Jacob Waltz—the legendary Dutchman (though he was actually German). He claimed to have found this gold-filled mine. Legend says that they stashed their riches throughout the Superstition Mountains, though no one has found these caches. (At least no one has talked about their find!)

On his deathbed, Waltz described the mine’s location to a neighbor. The vague directions inspired this neighbor, and generations of other treasure-seekers, to search for the lost mine. No one has ever found it, but people continue to hunt. In fact, the History Channel made a TV show called Legend of the Superstition Mountains!

I of course told Max and Edie about the legend. (What kids don’t like a good treasure hunt?!) While we visited Lost Dutchman State Park, they kept looking for caves in the mountains. “I see the treasure cave!” they’d shout, pointing at the peaks. 

Alas, we never did find the Lost Dutchman’s gold mine. Maybe next time!

Gold or no gold, the Superstition Mountains are a treasure in their own right. If you’re looking for things to do near Mesa or Phoenix, AZ, add visiting this gorgeous area to your list. You can’t go wrong with Superstition Mountain hiking.