Glendale Parks and Recreation is Nationally Accredited.
CAPRA provides quality assurance and quality improvement of accredited park and recreation agencies throughout the United States. CAPRA is the only national accreditation of park and recreation agencies, and is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community.
Thunderbird Conservation Park
Open: Sunrise to sunset, daily
• Gates locked at Sunset •
Main Entrance: 59th Avenue between
Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak roads
PLEASE NOTE! Thunderbird Conservation Park will be
closing at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 4.
Thunderbird Conservation Park, a 1,185-acre park in the Hedgpeth Hills, is a conservation park dedicated to preserving the desert environment. The hills were named for Robert Hedgpeth, an early homesteader in the area. The park took its name from the World War II pilot training facility located four miles south of the park. The city of Glendale acquired the park in 1951 through a lease with the federal government. Ownership came in 1956 with the assistance of the Glendale Women’s Club and Glendale Rotary Club. Maricopa County operated the park from 1963 to 1984 and many of the park improvements were made during this time. In 1984 the park was returned to the city. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging and bird watching. About 15 miles of multi-use trails have been constructed, thanks to the efforts of many volunteer groups.
PLEASE BE COURTEOUS
With more people discovering the beauty and
benefits of trails, they are becoming more
crowded. With more users comes the need for
guidelines for wise trail use. Such guidelines
can enable all trail users to have the enjoyable
experience everyone is looking for. Remember,
courtesy is contagious and, who knows, you
may make a new friend!
Help us protect this fragile environment
by staying on the trails.
Originates at 67th Avenue parking lot at Patrick Lane and concludes at 51st Avenue & Potter. Not designated as a looped trail. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
approximately 5.0 miles
H-1a
Originates at 55th Ave & Pinnacle Peak parking lot and is a looped trail. Level of difficulty is rated at easy.
approximately 1.25 miles
H-2
Originates south of Pinnacle Peak parking lot along trail H-1 and ends at Ramadas 14 and 15. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
approximately 1.5 miles
H-2a
Originates as a spur trail off of H-2. This trail ends at the top of the mountain and is one of the highest points in the park. Level of difficulty is rated at easy.
approximately 1/10 of a mile
H-3
Originates at parking lot A and ends at H-1 near 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Rd. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
approximately 3.0 miles
H-3a
Originates from H-3 and is considered a spur that leads to a lookout point from this trail. Not designated as a looped trail. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
approximately 1/8 mile
H-4
Originates at the North end of the amphitheater, or near Ramada 11. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
approximately 1.3 miles
H-4a
Originates at Ramada 11 and intersects trail H-1 on the west side of the park. Level of difficulty is rated at easy.
approximately 0.75 miles
H-4b
Originates off of trail H-1 and intersects with H-4. Level of difficulty is rated at moderate.
approximately 0.4 miles
H-5
Originates at 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane parking lot and concludes at parking lot B. Level of difficulty is rated at easy.
approximately 0.75 miles
H-5a
Originates at Ramada 13 and concludes at Ramada 9. Level of difficulty is rated at easy.
approximately 0.25 miles
PARK WILDLIFE
Sonoran Desert Inhabitants
Mammals
Desert ground squirrel
Rock squirrel
Chipmunk
Cottontail rabbit
Jackrabbit
Kangaroo rat
Pack rat
Mice
Bats
Peccary (Javelina)
Mule deer
Coyote
Gray fox
Kit fox
Raccoon
Coati
Skunks
Bobcat
Mountain lion
Ringtail
Reptiles
Kingsnakes
Rattlesnakes
Non-venomous snakes
Toads and frogs
Chuckwalla
Horned lizard
Gila monster
Collared lizard
Gecko
Various lizards
Desert tortoise
turtles
Birds
Cactus wren
Gambels quail
Dove
Ducks
Killdeer
Herons
Hummingbirds
Owls
Falcons
Hawks
Vultures
Roadrunner
Osprey
Raven
Woodpeckers
Various song birds
Coots
Loons
Grebes eagles
VIEWING BLINDS
Four wildlife viewing blinds are located at Thunderbird Conservation Park along the north side of the sedimentation basin. Three of the viewing blinds are accessible from the trails off Pinnacle Peak Road and the fourth is handicap accessible and located off 59th Avenue. These blinds provided areas for viewing the park's 50+ different species of birds and wildlife attracted to the man-made water feature. They feature a decorative block wall with "windows" for viewing, benches and a path to access them. Check them out and be sure to bring binoculars to get an even closer look and/or a camera to capture those precious animals.
Carry and drink water. Remember it’s the water in your
body not the water in your canteen that keeps you fit.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
A cellular phone can be a life saver.
Use a walking stick for support and to fend off threatening wildlife.
Carry a large comb and pliers to remove cholla cactus.
Record your experiences with a camera.
A signalling mirror can help rescuers
locate you if you are injured.
CAUTIONS
Teddy bear cholla cactus have segments that readily detach and have very sharp spines that easily penetrate shoe leather. A large comb and pliers are useful in removing them.
Several species of rattlesnake inhabit the park. If encountered, always allow them a way to escape. Do not tease or harass the snake. The result may be
a bite and a trip to the hospital.
Always look where you place your hands and feet. When hiking, walk with a heavy foot. The snake will sense your approach and leave before you get to it.
Scorpions and spiders may be found under rocks, in bushes and other places. As with snakes, always look where you place your hands and feet and before you sit down.
To avoid bees, yellow jackets and wasps––do not wear perfume or scented lotions. Avoid swarms and nests. Do not make loud noises. Bees, yellow jackets and wasps will defend their hives and nests if threatened. If attacked, get out of the area as quickly as possible. Report the attack to the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department at 623-930-2820.
Other wildlife (coyotes, fox, javelina, etc.)––If encountered on the trail, freeze where you are. Leave a route for the animal to escape. If you are blocking the only escape route, slowly move out of the way and allow the animal to pass.
TRAIL RULES & GUIDELINES
Some of the rules and guidelines listed are covered in the Glendale City Park Code.
Those that are laws have the code number in parentheses.
THE TRAILS
Short cutting and hiking off the trails
is not permitted. (27-51c)
Motor vehicles are not permitted on
the
trails. (27-45a)
Construction of additional trails or
short cuts are not permitted. (27-44c)
Trails are multi-use unless otherwise signed.
Observe the accepted trail etiquette:
Horse and rider
have the right of
way. (27-49d)
Bicyclists yield to hikers and horse and riders.
Please use common sense and don’t insist on the right of way.
Avoid soft and muddy trails. Deep
tracks make it difficult for others.
Allow faster traffic to pass.
When in a group, don’t block the trail.
Allow room for other users
PETS
Pets are permitted on the trails (dogs
and cats only). (27-48a)
Pets must be restrained by a leash, no longer than six feet in length, at all times. (27-48a)
Pet droppings must immediately be picked
up and properly disposed of. (27-48a)
Pets may not chase wildlife. (27-47a)
TRAIL STOCK
Ride only on roads and designated trails.
(27-49a)
Restrain your mount at all times. (27-49a)
Ride safely and with due care. (27-49a)
Trail stock may only be tied to improvements designed for such use. (27-49b)
Trail stock is not permitted to graze
in the park. (27-49e)
BICYCLES
Ride only on roadways and
designated trails. (27-45a)
Ride safely and yield the right of
way to other trail users. (27-45b)
Ride at a reasonable speed––no
greater than 15 mph. (27-45c)
Announce your presence when
approaching other trail users.
Approach each bend as if someone
were around the corner.
WILDLIFE
Enjoy watching the wildlife along the trails. Hiking off the trail is not permitted. (27-51c)
Do not chase, harass or harm any wildlife in the park. (27-47a)
Remember that even snakes have an important role to play in the ecosystem.
Back off and give them room to escape.
Most animals won’t bother you unless they feel threatened.
PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT!
Do not discard trash along the trails. (27-52a) Carry items for proper discard until a trash receptacle is reached.
Many users carry plastic bags to pick
up after others.
Help us keep the trails beautiful.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the trails. Alcohol speeds up dehydration in the body and may cause heat-related illness.
Do not take glass containers onto the trails. (27-52b)
WEAPONS
BB or pellet guns, sling shots, bow and arrows or knives with over a 3½-inch blade are not permitted on the trails. (27-46) A hiking stick can serve to fend off any wildlife.
Birds
VIEWING BLINDS 
CAUTIONS
TRAIL RULES & GUIDELINES
