Tonto Tank Trail - MMRP, AZ

Tonto Tank Trail is one of the connector trails available at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. This trail can be hiked as an out and back, or may be used with other trails to hike as a loop. The easiest access is from the Shallmo Drive trailhead via a one mile hike southwest along Pemberton Trail. This trail may also be reached from the campground hiking east via the Granite Trail.


The majority of the hike is flat and smooth, with the exception of one small, steep hill about 15-25 feet in elevation. Tonto Tank Trail is an excellent bike path, as are many of the other trails within the park. Evidence of past fire and mass destruction is evidence throughout the hike, as there are numerous cholla skeletons and burnt tree stumps scattered along the path. This is a common sight among the trails at MMRP, but this trail seemed to have an especially high concentration of skeletons. Nature, though, has endured, and new plants and growth are plentiful. Beautiful views of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve can be seen hiking to the west, and hiking to the east one gets unobstructed views of Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountain range. At the end of the trail, the option exists to continue on the Pemberton left or right for a loop hike.

Viewing Pemberton Pond, located along Pemberton Trail, can also be considered along with this hike; it is only about 0.3 miles to the south of the start of this trail.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2012-11-05 NatureKopelli