Apache Junction, AZ – I recently started keeping track of which public campgrounds we’d like to stay at in the future, and Lost Dutchman State Park is at the top. Any park that combines large, semi-secluded RV sites with miles of scenic hiking leaving right from the campground is a winner in my book. Combine that with proximity to Mesa and sprinkle in the quiet, clear nights you experience with a rural state park, we have to come back here.
Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, 40 miles east of Phoenix. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest.
We made a loop hike out of the Treasure Loop, Prospectors View and the Siphon Draw trails, for about 4 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain. We started the hike at the Cholla Day Use parking lot, although you could start from the Saguaro Day Use or Siphon Draw parking lots since the loop goes through all three.
Treasure Loop Trail climbs quickly in Lost Dutchman State Park
Cholla and brittlebush adorn the spectacular Superstition Mountain views
The hike meanders up a fairly steep valley towards the base of Flatiron mountain, passing through areas of Saguaro cactus, teddy bear cholla and blooming brittlebush, the latter resplendent in yellow. When pausing to catch your breath, turn around and admire the view down valley, noting the towns of Apache Junction and Mesa, and perhaps even Phoenix on a clear day. Views of the Superstition Mountains abound, and Flatiron looms tall, 2500’ feet above you. Speaking of Flatiron, the top is accessible via a non-marked and extremely steep and rocky trail that gains 2000’ in 1 mile! We didn’t make the attempt this time, but the challenge is calling in the future.
Apache Junction, Mesa and Phoenix can be viewed from the loop
The brittlebush was in full bloom
The trail winds along the base of the mountain
Another view from the trail
There is no shade for most of the trail and no water, so cover up and bring a few liters. Like most (all?) Arizona state parks, the day use fee as of 2017 is $7/car. There are also a number of picnic shelters at each parking lot as well as bathrooms. The campground is quite large, offering 134 sites, a good number of which offer electric and water hookups. A dump station is near the entrance and is free for registered campers. Like many state park campgrounds in the Phoenix area, these sites need to be booked a few months ahead in the spring and fall months.
One of the picnic tables available in the day use area
Part of the campground viewed from the Treasure Loop Trail
Lost Dutchman is a scenic area for hiking and camping
