It is huge. Seriously. When you first pull up to the Reach 11 Recreation Area in North Phoenix, the sheer scale of the place doesn't quite hit you until you’re standing in the middle of a trail with nothing but creosote bushes and the distant hum of the Loop 101 for company. This isn't your typical manicured neighborhood park with a single swing set and a plastic slide. We are talking about 1,500 acres of raw, multi-use land that stretches along the Central Arizona Project canal.
Most people drive past it every day on their way to Scottsdale or Cave Creek without realizing they are missing one of the most versatile outdoor spaces in the Valley.
What Exactly is Reach 11 Recreation Area?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a hybrid. On the east end, near Cave Creek Road, you have the fancy sports complex. It’s got soccer fields that look like professional turf and a dedicated international-caliber field hockey center. But if you keep heading west toward Tatum Boulevard, the whole vibe changes. It transforms into a rugged, sprawling desert preserve. It’s managed by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, but because it sits on a flood basin designed to protect the city from monsoon runoff, it has this unique, slightly wild feel that you don't get at Piestewa Peak or Camelback.
It feels different because it is different.
The name itself—Reach 11—comes from the Bureau of Reclamation’s terminology for sections of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. It’s basically "Segment 11." While that sounds incredibly corporate and boring, the reality is a lush-ish desert environment that serves as a massive wildlife corridor. Because it’s a basin, it holds water longer than the surrounding peaks. That means more greenery, more bugs, and consequently, a whole lot of birds and coyotes.
The Sports Hub You Probably Didn't Know Existed
If you’ve got kids in competitive sports, you might have already spent a grueling Saturday morning here. The Reach 11 Sports Complex is a powerhouse. We're talking 18 regulation-sized soccer fields. That’s not a typo. 18.
But the real "did you know" fact about this place is the field hockey. Phoenix isn't exactly a field hockey mecca, yet Reach 11 hosts major national tournaments because it’s one of the few places in the Western U.S. with high-quality water-based turf fields. It's weird to see world-class field hockey happening right next to a dusty trail where a guy is riding a horse, but that’s the magic of this specific spot.
📖 Related: Novotel Perth Adelaide Terrace: What Most People Get Wrong
The Trails: Horses, Bikes, and Very Tired Dogs
The trail system at Reach 11 Recreation Area is a tangled web of about 18 miles of paths. Now, don't expect massive elevation gains. If you’re looking to crush your glutes on a 1,000-foot climb, go to Squaw Peak. Reach 11 is mostly flat. It’s easy. It’s accessible.
This makes it the premier spot for:
- Horseback riding: This is one of the few places left in the North Valley where you can unload a trailer and have miles of wide, sandy trails that won't blow out your horse's joints.
- Beginner Mountain Biking: If you just bought a mountain bike and the rocks at South Mountain terrify you, come here. The trails are mostly decomposed granite and dirt. You can go fast without worrying about flying over your handlebars onto a jagged boulder.
- Trail Running: It is the perfect spot for "zone 2" training. You can run for ten miles and barely see a hill, which is a rare find in the mountainous Phoenix basin.
One thing to keep in mind—the trails aren't always perfectly marked. You’ll be cruising along and suddenly realize you’re on a "social trail" that leads nowhere. It’s part of the charm, kinda. Just keep the canal to your north or south and you’ll eventually find your way back to your car.
Wildlife and the "Green" Desert
Because Reach 11 sits in a low-lying area, it catches the drainage from the northern hills. This creates a "micro-riparian" environment. While it’s not a river, you’ll see way more mesquite trees and desert broom here than on a dry hillside.
Birders absolutely love this place. If you bring a pair of binoculars around dawn, you’re likely to spot Gambel’s quail (obviously), but also Cooper’s hawks, various owls, and even the occasional roadrunner darting across the path. Pro tip: The area near the 56th Street entrance tends to be a bit quieter and better for wildlife spotting than the busy soccer complex side.
I've seen coyotes here in the middle of the day. They aren't usually aggressive, but they are bold. If you’re walking a small dog, keep them on a short leash. Seriously. Don't be that person with the 20-foot retractable lead.
👉 See also: Magnolia Fort Worth Texas: Why This Street Still Defines the Near Southside
Access Points and Logistics
You can't just pull over on the 101 and jump out of your car. There are specific ways to get into the Reach 11 Recreation Area, and choosing the wrong one might land you miles away from where you actually want to be.
- The Sports Complex Entrance: This is at 2425 E. Deer Valley Dr. Use this if you’re here for a tournament or want to use the actual bathrooms (which are surprisingly well-maintained for a public park).
- The Equestrian/Hiking Entrance: Located off Tatum Blvd, just south of Deer Valley Road. This is where the dirt lot is. If you want the "nature" experience, go here.
- 56th Street Access: A quieter entry point further east. Great if you want to avoid the crowds during soccer season.
Parking is free. That’s a big win. Most Phoenix preserves are free, but given how nice the facilities are at the sports complex, it always feels like a bit of a steal.
Why This Place Actually Matters for Phoenix
Urban sprawl is real. If you look at a satellite map of North Phoenix, you see a grid of gray asphalt and red-tiled roofs. Reach 11 is a massive green (or brownish-green) lung in the middle of it.
It serves a dual purpose that most people don't think about. Primarily, it’s a flood control basin. When we get those massive 20-minute monsoon downpours that turn streets into rivers, Reach 11 is designed to take that water. It prevents the surrounding neighborhoods and the freeway from flooding. The fact that we get to hike and play soccer on it the other 350 days of the year is just a brilliant use of municipal land.
It’s also an important "sink" for heat. All that vegetation helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, even if just a little bit. When you walk from the parking lot into the preserve on a summer evening, you can actually feel the temperature drop by a few degrees. It’s not much, but in 110-degree weather, you take what you can get.
Safety and the Desert Reality
Look, it’s still the Sonoran Desert. Even though you’re within earshot of a Starbucks, the rules of the desert apply.
✨ Don't miss: Why Molly Butler Lodge & Restaurant is Still the Heart of Greer After a Century
- Water: Bring more than you think. There is zero shade on the trails. You will bake.
- Rattlesnakes: They live here. Specifically Western Diamondbacks. They love the heavy brush near the canal. Stay on the trails and keep your eyes open.
- The Sun: Between May and September, do not be on these trails after 9:00 AM. It’s just not worth the heatstroke.
Actionable Tips for Your First Visit
If you’re planning to check out Reach 11 Recreation Area this weekend, here is how you do it right.
First, decide your vibe. If you want a workout, park at the Tatum entrance and head west. You can link up with the Scottsdale trail system if you’re feeling ambitious. If you’re just looking for a stroll, stick to the eastern loops near the sports complex where the paths are wider and more visible.
Second, check the soccer schedule. If there’s a massive regional tournament happening, the traffic on Deer Valley Road is going to be a nightmare. If you’re just looking for a quiet hike, those are the days to avoid the main entrance.
Third, bring a camera. Specifically around sunset. The way the light hits the McDowell Mountains to the east while you’re standing in the middle of the Reach 11 flats is genuinely stunning. It makes you forget you’re basically standing in a giant drainage ditch.
Finally, respect the multi-use aspect. If you’re a hiker and you see a horse, give them the right of way. Step off the trail. Don't make sudden movements. It’s common courtesy, but you’d be surprised how many people forget.
Reach 11 isn't the "prettiest" park in Arizona—it doesn't have the red rocks of Sedona or the pines of Flagstaff—but it is a vital, rugged, and incredibly useful piece of the Phoenix landscape. It’s the kind of place that grows on you the more you use it.
Go early. Bring water. Watch for snakes.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Download a trail map: Use an app like AllTrails or the official Phoenix Parks map, as the interior sections of Reach 11 can get confusing with overlapping paths.
- Check the weather: If there has been heavy rain in the last 24 hours, avoid the basin trails; they are designed to hold water and will be a muddy mess.
- Verify Park Hours: Most of the preserve areas are open from sunrise to sunset, but the lighted sports complex has extended hours depending on scheduled games.