Lost Dutchman State Park
Quick Facts
Why the Superstition Mountains
Lost Dutchman State Park sits at the base of the Superstition Mountains, just 40 miles east of Phoenix, named for the legend of a lost gold mine tied to prospector Jacob Waltz. The 160,200-acre Superstition Wilderness offers dramatic desert hiking, with landmarks like Weaver’s Needle and the iconic Flatiron visible from trails throughout the park.
Just down the road, Goldfield Ghost Town recreates an 1890s mining boomtown with a scenic railroad, zipline, and gold panning, while the Superstition Mountain Museum preserves the legends that still draw treasure hunters to these mountains today.
What Makes It Special
- Location: Apache Junction, 40 miles east of Phoenix
- Setting: Sonoran Desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains
- Site type: State park campground
- Amenities: Superstition Mountains views, extensive hiking and biking trails, spacious well-maintained sites
- Recreation: Hiking and wildlife viewing
Pro Tips for Booking
Come prepared for steep, challenging trails. Siphon Draw to the Flatiron is genuinely demanding — bring plenty of water and proper footwear.
Visit October through April. Summer desert heat makes hiking genuinely unsafe; the cooler months are far more comfortable.
Visit Goldfield Ghost Town. It’s just down the road, with a scenic railroad, zipline, and gold panning for the whole family.
What to Do Around Here
- Siphon Draw Trail to the iconic Flatiron
- Goldfield Ghost Town, a recreated 1890s mining town nearby
- The Superstition Mountain Museum, covering local legends and history
- A four-mile mountain bike loop trail through the park
- Wildlife viewing, including mule deer, coyote, and javelina
