South Mountain Park may not have the allure of Camelback Mountain or the challenge of Piestewa Peak but there are several reasons why families should consider an outing at this rocky outcrop on the southern edge of the City of Phoenix. At nearly 17,000 acres, it is the largest municipal park in the world and a Phoenix Point of Pride. South Mountain Park is crisscrossed by nearly 60 miles (97 km) of shared-use – hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding – trails of varying length and grade. It is a great place to spot desert wildlife - javelina (collared peccary), Gila monsters, chuckwalla, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, fit fox and coyote - and Southwest birdlife - great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, cactus wren and roadrunner. It comprises three mountain ranges, Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. More than 300 species of plant life and 9 species of cactus are found in this corner of the Sonoran Desert. Hohokam Indian petroglyphs and ruins of stone structures offer a peek at times long past. Scenic drives and horseback rides offer a reprieve for trail worn kids. And the displays at the park's Environmental Education Center detail the area’s history from the Hohokam Indians to gold-seekers.