Queen Valley is one of Arizona’s best-kept desert secrets. This small, quiet community sits at an elevation of 2,000 feet on the southern fringe of the Superstition Mountains, one of the most storied and dramatically beautiful mountain ranges in the American Southwest.
Far from the bustle of the Valley, Queen Valley offers something increasingly rare: genuine solitude in the wild Sonoran Desert. It’s the kind of place where mornings start with birdsong, where the sky runs uninterrupted to the horizon.
Superstition Wilderness Area
One of Arizona’s most iconic wilderness destinations, the Superstition Wilderness covers more than 160,000 acres of rugged volcanic peaks, canyon country, and Sonoran Desert terrain directly north of Queen Valley. With over 180 miles of trails, it draws hikers, backpackers, horseback riders, and history hunters seeking the legendary Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, a tale that has captured imaginations for over a century.
Peralta Trailhead
The most popular gateway into the Superstition Wilderness, the Peralta Trailhead sits just over the Maricopa County line and offers access to some of Arizona’s most breathtaking scenery. The trail to Fremont Saddle, a 3-mile round trip delivers panoramic views of Weavers Needle.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Just northwest of Queen Valley near Apache Junction, Lost Dutchman State Park offers accessible hiking, camping, and scenic views of the Superstition Mountains. The Siphon Draw Trail is a standout, leading hikers through a deep canyon.
Queen Valley Country Club
Queen Valley’s own golf course offers a laid-back, desert-style round with views of the surrounding mountain landscape. The club’s bar and grill is a beloved local gathering spot, with seasonal live music adding to its easy, small-town charm.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Just 20 miles east of Queen Valley, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona’s oldest botanical garden, a 392-acre living museum of desert plants set dramatically against the canyon walls of Picketpost Mountain. It’s a beautiful, unhurried destination that rewards slow exploration.
Outdoor & Nature
Golf & Leisure
Day Trips
While we work to bring Alice Lodging homes directly to Queen Valley, our closest properties offer an excellent base for exploring the Superstition Mountains and the surrounding East Valley.
Closest to Queen Valley – Gold Canyon (~16 miles)
Our Gold Canyon vacation homes sit at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, the nearest Alice Lodging option for a Queen Valley getaway. From Gold Canyon, the Peralta Trailhead, Lost Dutchman State Park, and Queen Valley itself are all within a short, scenic drive.
Also Nearby – Scottsdale (~50 miles) Our Scottsdale vacation homes offer resort-style amenities combined with easy freeway access east along US-60 toward Queen Valley and Superstition country.
A. Queen Valley is a small community in north-central Pinal County, sitting along Queen Creek at an elevation of 2,000 feet. It lies in the southeast of Gold Canyon and 65 miles east of Phoenix via the Superstition Freeway.
A. Queen Valley is known for its peaceful, off-the-beaten-path desert setting at the southern foot of the Superstition Mountains. It appeals to hikers, golfers, and nature lovers drawn to the quiet beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the legendary landscape surrounding the Superstition Wilderness.
A. October through April is the sweet spot for outdoor activities, with comfortable temperatures ideal for hiking and golf. Spring is particularly stunning as desert wildflowers bloom across the foothills. Summer temperatures climb high, so early mornings and evenings are best for outdoor exploration.
A. Alice Lodging has vacation homes in Gold Canyon (approximately 16 miles away) and Scottsdale (approximately 50 miles away), both a comfortable drive to Queen Valley and the Superstition Wilderness area.