On a guided hike with SMAZ Tours, you’ll explore Arizona’s largest municipal park — South Mountain — a desert preserve filled with rugged trails, ancient petroglyphs, and sweeping city views. Along the way, you’ll: Walk among towering saguaros and desert wildflowers while learning how these plants survive in extreme conditions. Spot wildlife like Gambel’s quail, chuckwallas, coyotes, and Harris’s hawks, with stories about their role in the Sonoran Desert. Discover ancient Hohokam petroglyphs etched into volcanic rock, and hear cultural history from thousands of years ago. Visit the best photo spots — from narrow rock passages like Fat Man’s Pass to sweeping ridgelines with panoramic views of Phoenix. Learn desert safety and survival tips, including hydration, sun protection, and trail awareness, so you leave with knowledge to use anywhere you hike.