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Print Friendly MapThe Skunk Creek Trail runs along the banks of its namesake waterway, connecting Peoria, Glendale and the eastern edge of Phoenix. The trail provides a link to residences, businesses and parks, as well as two recreation centers: Peoria's Rio Vista Community Park and Recreation Center and Glendale's Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center.
At its southern end in Rio Vista Community Park, the Skunk Creek Trail merges into the New River Trail, while a connection to the longer Arizona Canal Path can be made just north of the park.
The Skunk Creek Trailhead is located at 83rd Avenue and Skunk Creek. It includes a parking lot and viewing overlook, as well as amenities for equestrians such as horse trailer parking spaces, a watering facility for horses, fence posts and a mounting block.
Parking is also available in Foothills Park (5600 West Union Hills Drive, Glendale) and Rio Vista Community Park (8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria).
This is a great trail, very clean and well kept!
My dog and I were tired of hiking around the neighborhood to get in our daily four miles, so we expanded our walking horizon to the Skunk Creek Trail. This is a fairly well kept trail that is fully paved on the south side of the Creek, and partially paved on the north side. When paved meets dirt and gravel at paved trail's end on the north side, the hiking is still easy. We liked the taste of desert still within the city limits. Today was our second adventure having located a place to park and access the trail. We saw a road runner, quail (collectively), and, because I know they perch high in the trees that surround a trail, one little hummingbird. We passed other hikers and bikers, all of whom were friendly enough to say hello (and adhere to the trail 'rules' or suggestions posted -- communicate!). I liked that bikers who can easily sneak up behind a walker, called out their intention to pass us as they approached. Thank you! I also discovered that there appears to be a man living under the 59th Street overpass, on the south side of the trail. I wasn't sure when I passed that way on the first part of our walk as I was on the north side, but being on the south trail on our return, I clearly saw him hiking down from the side of the hill to resume his 'perch' under the overpass. The only downside to hiking the Skunk Creek Trail is one that responsible dog owners can relate to: there is a great deal of dog poo along all sides of the trail, although there are poo stations offering pick-up bags and disposal cans. I will never understand not taking responsibility for your own dog (and I wonder what those persons' yards and homes look like). We'll hike this trail again...it was a good outing.
If you want a nice flat trail for young bike riders go north from the park.
Love it!! It has so much details.
I ride my bike multiple times per week on this trail. I use both Skunk Creek Trail and New River Trail. They connect and both are excellent trails! The trail is asphalt and concrete. There is a lot of vegetation and wildlife to see. I just wish it would go further west so I could ride to the trail and not have to drive there
The concrete bike trail is great. We went into the desert and found dirt bike mounds for jumping and explored a little. Our ride totaled 15 miles and it was a great husband and wife adventure!
Scenery could be better but the park was great for kicking back and enjoying PBJ afterwards!
I have begun to ride Skunk Creek Trail often. I use Rio Vista Community Park in Peoria as my starting point and ride northeast to the trail's end at 51st Avenue north of Union Hills and back for an invigorating 13-mile round trip ride.
The trail has underpasses which allow easy crossing of major thoroughfares with a couple of street crossings on much quieter roads.
Most of the trail is lined with native brush. North of Bell Road the trail is dotted with informational signs describing the wildlife and fauna along the route. Wildlife does cross the trail at night and tends to leave scat on the trail so you may need to watch where you tread.
Skunk Creek Trail is a great place to take visitors from out of town.
The trail is wide enough to handle two-way cycling and pedestrian traffic with just a couple of narrower lanes as you pass through residential areas toward the north end of the trail.
My wife and I ride this trail twice a day. On weekends we take it to the Arizona Canal Trail and ride past Squaw Peak for a 40 mile round trip. We ride Skunk Creek trail every night. A good light is needed for night travel.
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