What is Four Peaks in Arizona?

Four Peaks is a mountain ridge with four distinct summits in the Tonto National Forest, northeast of Phoenix and Scottsdale. It anchors the Four Peaks Wilderness, and Brown's Peak, the tallest summit, is the highest point in the Mazatzal range at about 7,600 feet. It's the skyline most Valley residents recognize on sight.

Can you see Four Peaks from Scottsdale?

Yes. On a clear day the ridge is visible from much of the east Valley and from the desert north and east of Scottsdale. The views get better the closer you get to the Tonto National Forest, where there's nothing between you and the mountain.

What is the best time of day to see Four Peaks?

Golden hour. In the last hour or two before sunset the ridge turns red and pink, and the light is soft enough for photos. Early morning is the second best choice, with cooler air and clear skies.

Can you ride toward Four Peaks on an ATV tour?

Our sunset U-Drive tour is built around golden hour views of Four Peaks, and our Tonto National Forest trails keep the ridge on the horizon for much of the ride. Our guide shoots free photos of your group with the mountain behind you.

Is the Four Peaks hike hard?

The trails into the Four Peaks Wilderness are steep, rocky and remote, so treat them as serious hikes. Check current trail and road conditions with the Tonto National Forest before you go, carry plenty of water, and tell someone your plan.

Four Peaks, Arizona: Where to See It and How to Ride

Name: Desert Dog Offroad Adventures
Address: 17212 E. Shea Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268, US
Telephone: (480) 837-3966
Price range: $$

Four Peaks is the jagged, four-summit ridge on the eastern skyline of the Phoenix area, and the best time to see it is golden hour. It’s the backdrop in a huge share of the photos our guests take, and if you’ve spent any time in the Valley you’ve seen it even if you didn’t know its name. Here’s what it is, where to see it, and how to get close to it without a long hike.

What Is Four Peaks?

Four Peaks sits inside the Tonto National Forest, northeast of Phoenix and Scottsdale. The ridge has four distinct summits, and the whole area is protected as the Four Peaks Wilderness. Brown’s Peak, the tallest, tops out at about 7,600 feet, which makes it the high point of the Mazatzal range.

It looks enormous from the desert floor because the land around it is so low. The Sonoran Desert near Scottsdale sits at roughly 2,000 feet, and the ridge rises out of it with nothing in the way. That contrast is why it photographs so well.

Where to See Four Peaks

You don’t need to hike to see it. Some of the easiest views:

The east Valley and north Scottsdale. On a clear day the ridge shows up on the eastern horizon from a lot of neighborhoods.
Bush Highway and the Saguaro Lake area. The road runs through open desert and the mountain gets bigger with every mile. Our Salt River wild horses guide covers the same stretch.
The Beeline Highway (AZ-87). Pull-offs along the way give you wide views north and east.
Out on the trail. From the desert ridges in the Tonto, the mountain fills the sky. This is where most of our guest photos come from.

The Best Time to See It

Golden hour wins. In the last hour or two before sunset the rock turns red and pink and the shadows give the ridge its shape. Midday light flattens it, and haze can wash it out in summer.

Fall through spring has the clearest air, and the mountain looks sharpest. Our fall in Scottsdale guide has more on the season.
Winter and spring storms can leave snow on the high summits. It doesn’t happen every year, so don’t plan around it.
Summer monsoon evenings give you huge clouds around the ridge. The photo at the top of this page is a good example.

Hiking Four Peaks

The trails in the Four Peaks Wilderness are real mountain hikes: steep, rocky, remote and exposed. This isn’t a casual morning stroll. Before you go:

Check current trail and road conditions with the Tonto National Forest, since access can change.
Carry more water than you think you need.
Start early and tell someone your route.
Know the local wildlife. Our rattlesnake guide covers what to do on an encounter.

For an easier hike close to Scottsdale, see our best hikes near Scottsdale.

Ride Toward It Instead

If you’d rather see Four Peaks from the driver’s seat, that’s what our tours are for. Our sunset U-Drive tour runs toward golden hour with views of Four Peaks, and you drive your own machine on desert trails in the Tonto National Forest. Your guide leads the route and shoots free photos of your group, so you get the mountain in the background without stopping to fumble with your phone.

A few things worth knowing, straight from our tour facts:


Price	$299 per two-seat buggy (about $150 per person), solo riders from $199, plus tax and fees
Ages	Drivers 16+ with a license, riders 8+
Trail	20 to 25 miles, 2+ hours
Drive from Scottsdale	About 45 minutes

Want more photo ideas? Our guide to the most Instagram-worthy spots on a Scottsdale ATV tour shows what to expect.

Ready to See It Up Close?

Book a guided Scottsdale ATV tour, or time your ride for golden hour on the sunset U-Drive tour. Staying in the Phoenix area? See our Phoenix ATV tours page for drive times. Questions? Call Desert Dog Offroad Adventures at (480) 837-3966.