Easy hikes & the Michelin Man saguaro
Short, family-friendly desert walks in a 2,922-acre county park on the north side of Cave Creek.
Last checked against each organizer's or business's own website. Details change, so please confirm before you go.
This is an independent guide. Trail facts come from Maricopa County Parks & Recreation's website and current park map (dated March 20, 2026). We aren't affiliated with or endorsed by the county.
The Michelin Man saguaro walk
Locals call one segmented saguaro on the Slate Trail the "Michelin Man." Its trunk and arms grow in stacked, rounded bulges instead of smooth columns. It's a fun, short goal for kids and first-time desert hikers.
- Start: the Slate Trailhead. Head east on the Slate Trail.
- Distance: about 0.5 mile each way, per Maricopa County Parks, so roughly 1 mile round trip.
- Terrain: the Slate Trail is rated easy, with about 88 feet between its lowest and highest points.
- Finding it: watch for a short spur near a bench on the right side of the trail.
- Want more? Keep going on the Slate Trail, or link up with Quartz, Go John and Jasper for a longer loop. The county suggests an Overton–Slate–Jasper–Go John route of about 1.7 miles (1–2 hours).
Trail table
Lengths are one-way unless noted. "Elevation" is the gap between a trail's lowest and highest points, not total climbing.
| Code | Trail | Miles | Elev. (ft) | County rating | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CM | Clay Mine | 1.5 | 300 | Easy | Multi-use (hike/bike only west of the mine) |
| FR | Flat Rock | 0.5 | 152 | Easy | Multi-use |
| FL | Flume | 2.3 | 180 | Moderate | Multi-use; first 0.8 mi is also a service road |
| GJ | Go John | 5.8 (loop, round trip) | 411 | Moderate–difficult | Multi-use |
| JS | Jasper | 0.2 | 64 | Easy | Multi-use |
| OV | Overton | 2.1 | 408 | Moderate | Multi-use |
| QZ | Quartz | 1.4 | 300 | Moderate | Multi-use |
| SL | Slate | 1.6 | 88 | Easy | Multi-use |
Sources: Maricopa County Parks trail table · current park map (PDF). Older printed maps rate Flat Rock and Quartz differently; we use the 2026 map.
Before you go
- Where: 37019 N Lava Lane, Cave Creek. About 1.5 miles north of Carefree Highway on 32nd Street. Phone (602) 506-2930 ext. 8.
- Fee: $10 per vehicle (2026). Use the self-pay station if the booth is empty.
- Hours, Nov 1–Apr 30: park 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily; Nature Center 8 a.m.–4 p.m. daily. May 1–Oct 31: park 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; Nature Center 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon–Sat.
- Facilities: Nature Center with animal exhibits, restrooms, picnic areas with grills and water, a horse staging area and a 55-site campground (see Where to stay).
- Trail rides: guided horseback rides start in the park; see Cave Creek Trail Rides.
Heat, water & rattlesnakes
- Water: bring plenty for everyone, including kids and dogs. Turn around when half of it is gone.
- Heat: hike in the cooler hours. In hot weather, treat every trail as at least one level harder than its rating.
- Sun: wear a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. Most of these trails have little shade.
- Rattlesnakes: stay on the trail, watch where you put your hands and feet, and give snakes plenty of room. The county says to be especially alert at night and in cooler weather. Skip the headphones so you can hear a rattle.
- Plan: tell someone your route and return time, carry a phone and avoid hiking alone. The park guide suggests saving the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office number, (602) 876-1000. In an emergency, call 911.
- Horses and bikes: trails are shared. Step aside safely when horses pass.
Sources: Maricopa County Parks heat safety · Trail rules & etiquette · Park itinerary · Fees
How we picked
We picked the shortest, lowest-elevation trails on the county's own table, plus the Michelin Man walk that the county lists in its short-visit itinerary. Every distance, rating, fee and hour comes from Maricopa County Parks' website or its current park map. We left out third-party app stats because they disagree with each other.
Want a harder hike? See Spur Cross Ranch and Black Mountain on our home page.
Questions
Where is the Michelin Man saguaro?
It's in Cave Creek Regional Park, on the Slate Trail. Maricopa County Parks places it about half a mile from the Slate Trailhead, so the out-and-back walk is roughly a mile. Look for a short side path near a bench on the right.
What is the easiest hike in Cave Creek Regional Park?
Maricopa County Parks suggests the Slate Trail for a short, easy hike. On the county's current park map, Clay Mine, Flat Rock, Jasper and Slate are rated easy.
How much does it cost to enter Cave Creek Regional Park?
Day use is $10 per vehicle in 2026 under the county's current fee schedule (a scheduled increase to $12 takes effect Jan. 1, 2028). Use the self-pay station if the booth isn't staffed.
What are the park hours?
Nov. 1–Apr. 30 the park is open 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and the Nature Center 8 a.m.–4 p.m. daily. May 1–Oct. 31 the park is open 5 a.m.–9 p.m. and the Nature Center 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon–Sat (closed Sunday).
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a leash at all times. Bring water for your dog, too.
Is it safe to hike in summer?
Hike early in the day, carry more water than you think you need and turn back when half is gone. The county notes that more than 200 people need rescue from parks and preserves each year, and that trails should be treated as at least one level harder in high heat.