On October 4, 2019 the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the grand opening of new and upgraded amenities at Piestewa Peak Trailhead.
Friday’s event began with a tribal blessing performed by a member of the Gila River Indian Community and ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony along the entrance to the new bridge. Members of Lori Piestewa’s family, for whom the peak is named, participated in the ceremony. Piestewa was the first Native American female to die in combat. She served in the Iraq War. Her mother, Percy, gave remarks prior to the ribbon cutting.
Highlights of Piestewa Peak base area improvements:
- Reconfigured parking areas that add 22 spaces
- 104-foot-long vehicle/pedestrian bridge to improve traffic flow and trail access
- New building with six individual restrooms and ranger station
- 3 drinking fountains and a water bottle fill station
- 4 new ramadas and 2 renovated ramadas
- Improved sidewalks, curbing, lighting and signage.
The project is part of a five-year infrastructure improvement plan for the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, which started in summer 2017, and is funded by the voter-approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI).
Piestewa Peak, known as Squaw Peak prior to 2008, is one of the most popular areas for hiking in the city of Phoenix. It’s especially popular for night hiking since the relative height affords fantastic views of sunsets and city lights.
Piestewa Peak quick facts:
The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is located within the ancestral homeland of what is today represented by the Tohono O’odham Nation, Gila River Indian, Ak-Chin Indian and Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian communities.
Click the map below for directions to Piestewa Peak.
