Hike | Treasure Loop Trail – Arizona Hikers Guide

Length: 2.4 miles (round trip)

Trailhead Elevation: 2,000

Gain/Loss: +700

Difficulty: Easy

Solitude: Low

Season: Winter/Spring/Fall

Dog Friendly: Yes

The Treasure Loop Trail is a short, beautiful loop hike through the desert landscape of the Superstition Mountains. Along the hike you will see many unusual rock formations, benches to rest on, and great views of the mountain range itself. This is a great hike for beginners.

This well marked and well maintained trail is one of the more popular hikes that begins at the Lost Dutchman’s State Park.  The Treasure Loop Trail #56 can be found from the Cholla day-use area.  As of 5/20/15 their is a $7 entrance fee into the park.  Check out the tips at the end of the description to learn how to get to the trail from a different location without entering the park.  From the trailhead you will pass through a gate and begin heading east.  Along the hike you will find 5 benches spread throughout the 2.4 mile long trail.  The trail ascends at a moderate climb towards Praying Hands rock formation.  This formation is a favorite for rock climbers and a really neat geologic sight.

At around 1.3 miles the Treasure Loop Trail junctions with Prospector’s Trail 57.  You will pass through very large boulders and encounter switchbacks.  You will come across Jacob’s Crosscut trail #58 again and if you stay on the Treasure Loop Trail it will take you full circle back to the Cholla day-use area.

  • If you don’t want to pay the fee to enter the park, drive another 1/4 mile north on Hwy 88 and turn right at First Water Trailhead. Pull off to the right at the first spot to park your vehicle. Enter through the gate and head on the trail towards Praying Hands directly in front of you. This will meet up with Treasure Loop Trail at almost the midpoint. From there you can follow the trail east towards Praying Hands or one of the many routes that detour from the main trails. When I completed the hike, I started from this spot and went to Praying Hands.
  • Here is an awesome map of the Lost Dutchman State Park
  • This is an excellent hike in Spring. The wildflowers paint the mountainside in yellows and oranges.
  • Take your winter visitors on this hike. They won’t be disappointed.

The best part about this hike is that there are so many routes that detour from this trail. You can extend the trip as long as you would like. I also love that it is a loop hike. When I did the trip, I hiked up to Praying Hands, bushwhacked through the desert for about 1.5 miles until I met up with the Massacre Falls trail and completed that hike as well. There are so many options. Another plus is that in the springtime this place is wildflower heaven. I strongly recommend this hike to beginners and winter visitors who want to try out a hike in the Superstition range.

Directions: Lost Dutchman TH: Drive east from Phoenix on U.S. Highway 60. At Exit 196, drive north 1 mile on Idaho Road to State Highway 88. Turn right on Hwy. 88; and drive approximately 3 miles to the entry of the Lost Dutchman State Park; (entrance fees are charged). The TH is a parking lot near the east side of the park (either at the Cholla or Saguaro day-useareas).