If you’re looking for a perfect spot to watch the sunrise in the Superstition Mountains, the base of Siphon Draw Trail is a great spot to take in all of the beauty of Arizona’s best features – the mountains. Just at the base of these mountains is a perfect spot for camping and if you hike the Siphon Draw trail to the top of Flatiron, you’ll get an amazing view of the valley.
This trip happened to fall on my favorite holiday…Halloween! With no big costume parties planned that year, Matt and I decided to camp out at the base of the Superstition Mountains and do a morning hike to Flat Iron via Siphon Draw Trail.
Located just outside of Apache Junction, Lost Dutchman State Park has a beautiful desert campground with over 134 campsites. You would never know there were so many – the campgrounds are nicely spread out and everyone visiting was very quiet and respectful.
If you want to hike to Flat Iron, it’s best to wake up early to beat the rush of people and the heat. Before the sun came up, we packed up and headed to the trailhead. See the map below for the trail start location.
Siphon Draw Trail to Flat Iron is 6.2 miles round trip. Not a quick or easy trail in my book.
It is rated as hard from many hiking websites and after the first mile I could see why. You’ll gain 2933 feet in elevation getting to the top of this one. Right before you get the the last vertical section at the top, stay left! If you go to the right you’ll be stuck trying to hike though lots of loose rock and its much harder.
Bring lots of water on this hike! I can not stress this enough. You will use it I promise. This is also a dog-friendly hike. Pet’s are required to be on a leash however. I chose to leave my pup at home for this hike because of the high temps. This is a hike best enjoyed in the fall through spring seasons. If you plan to be hiking in the Arizona summer, be extra cautious. Many visitors unfamiliar with this terrain have been know to be helped down by Search & Rescue. You don’t want to be “that person” on the news. We see helicopters often getting people back to safety.
If you are only visiting for the day, it’s $7 for the entry fee. Visit the Lost Dutchman State Park website for more information & campground reservations.
Side Trip Idea:
While in the area, we drove the Apache off-road trail ( Fish Creek Hill Trail ). I highly suggest this trail if you’re looking for a great scenic drive from Canyon Lake to Apache and then up to Roosevelt Lake. Here is a great site for more information!
Arizona has so much to offer when it comes to outdoor hikes and activities. The pure scale of the Superstition Mountains will forever draw me back to this place for many more hikes to come. My advice: Slow down. Don’t rush to get to the top. Take it all in, every aspect of your surroundings… the weather, the lighting, the company.
This trip gave me a chance to experience what its like to sleep under the stars, a chance to get outside of my own comfort zone and see a bigger picture. It’s a feeling that I’ve come to treasure and will continue to chase. Welcome the opportunity to connect with places like this & the people you meet along the way. With each trail conquered, I chance, I learn, I grow.
Siphon Draw Trail Overview:
- 6.2 Mile Round Trip Hike
- $7 Entrance Fee for the day
- RV/Tent camping is allowed in Lost Dutchman Campground ( 134 spaces available )
- Bring lots of water! Very important on this trail
- Took us approx. 3 1/2 hrs to hike. Typical is 4-6 hrs.
Images Credit: Matthew Fleming & Ashley Ann
