Only one state park sits within 40 miles of downtown Phoenix, and two more are worth the longer drive, each in a different direction. Lost Dutchman, east at the base of the Superstition Mountains, is named for the fabled lost gold mine. Picacho Peak, southeast beside I-10, is a 1,500-foot landmark travelers have steered by since prehistoric times. Tonto Natural Bridge, northeast near Payson, is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. This is the outdoor half of the day. The eating half is at the end: one table on the way back from each park.
We run State Park Near Me, a directory of every state park in the country, and we are a guest here. Top of Phoenix asked for the parks. They supplied the restaurants.
The day, in order
These are cool-season parks, and the programs prove it: Lost Dutchman and Picacho Peak both run their guided hikes and star parties from fall through spring. Go early. Lost Dutchman’s trails open at 6 a.m., and Picacho Peak’s gates open at 5 a.m. with trails from sunrise. Bring cash or a Visa or Mastercard with a readable stripe for Lost Dutchman, because its gate takes no chip, tap or phone payments. Tonto Natural Bridge is the long drive, up Highway 87 toward Payson; it opens at 9 a.m., last entry is 4 p.m., and dogs are not allowed on its trails.
Lost Dutchman
The park sits in the Sonoran Desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains, 40 miles east of Phoenix by its own count. The Native Plant Trail is the easy walk; the Siphon Draw Trail to the top of the Flatiron is the hard one. Other trails run on into the Superstition Wilderness and Tonto National Forest, and a four-mile mountain bike loop is open. Look for mule deer, coyotes, javelina and jackrabbits. Trails are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the day-use gates lock overnight. Entry is $10 for a car with one person, $20 with two to four, and $5 on foot or bike, but the park does not allow walk-in entry or hiker drop-offs, so drive in. The next guided Wildlife of the Sonoran Desert hike is October 30 at 10 a.m., and monthly star parties run through March with registration.
Picacho Peak
You cannot miss it from I-10: a 1,500-foot peak that travelers have used as a landmark since prehistoric times, recorded by the Anza Expedition in the 1700s. Trails wind up the peak, some scenic and some hard, and the park says to hike prepared, with food, water and proper shoes. There is a visitor center with exhibits, a store, a playground and picnic areas. The park is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the trails from sunrise to sunset; from September 26 the visitor center keeps winter hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is $10 for one person in a car, $20 for two to four. A guided hike to the top on the Sunset Vista Trail runs Saturday, November 7, at 10 a.m., registration required.
Tonto Natural Bridge
The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot tunnel that is 150 feet across at its widest, and the park believes it is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Its four trails are all under half a mile but steep and strenuous, and can take an hour or more. Right now the Pine Creek Trail, the Anna Mae Trail and the area under the bridge are closed after rain and flooding; the Gowan and Waterfall trails and the paved path on top of the bridge are open. The park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4, and trails close an hour before the gates. Adults pay $10, ages 7 to 13 pay $5, and children 6 and under are free. Ranger-led tours of the historic Goodfellow Lodge run Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. by reservation, except October 29.
The full list
Directions, maps and the official site for each of these, plus McFarland State Historic Park in Florence, the other state park within 50 miles, are on our side. The state parks near Phoenix page on State Park Near Me lists them closest first, with a page for every park.
Where to eat after
The parks sit in three directions, so here is one table on the way back from each, from three Top of Phoenix lists: Mesa brunch, Tempe and Scottsdale. The scores are theirs, not ours.
Worth Takeaway
Insider Score8.5
Brunch · Mesa
After an early hike at Lost Dutchman, in Mesa on the way back west. The brioche French toast is the order most tables decide on before they sit down.
Vietshack
Insider Score8.4
Vietnamese · Tempe
After Picacho Peak, in Tempe on the I-10 drive back. The pho tai is the reason to come, with banh mi thit nuong and bun thit nuong on a short menu.
De Babel
Insider Score8.7
Mediterranean · Scottsdale
After Tonto Natural Bridge, in Scottsdale on the Highway 87 drive back. A tight Mediterranean menu: shawarma, falafel and hummus, with the baba ghanoush worth ordering.
Scores are Top of Phoenix Insider Scores. Restaurant photographs from Yelp.
Sources. Arizona State Parks pages for Lost Dutchman, Picacho Peak and Tonto Natural Bridge state parks, including their alerts, hours, fees and event listings, checked October 21, 2026. Distances are straight-line from the Phoenix town center. Restaurant scores and notes from the Top of Phoenix Mesa brunch, Tempe and Scottsdale guides, October 2026. Top photo: the Superstition Mountains from Lost Dutchman State Park by Z Glyph, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; park photo credits are under each photo.
State Park Near Me writes for State Park Near Me. State Park Near Me lists every state park, historic site, beach and recreation area in the United States, with directions and the nearest other parks. Every park page links to the park's official site. This piece was written for Top of Phoenix.