The Valley of the Sun includes the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and is located in the southern center of Arizona. The main cities include Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and various other suburban towns around the valley.
The Phoenix valley known mostly for the intense summer heat and beautiful Sonoroan Desert, also includes hundreds of miles of peaceful desert trails and numerous campgrounds. Popular areas include the Maricopa County Park system which manages various parks around the valley. My favorite regional parks are Lake Pleasant, White Tank Mountain, and McDowell Mountain. Always use caution in the summer months. Make sure you are prepared with plenty of water and sunscreen.