The trails in Papago Park are typically smooth with little elevation gain, providing easy access for walking, hiking, mountain biking or trail running. The park is split into east and west sides by Galvin Parkway.
West side trails
You can take an accessible, paved pathway as well as a series of trails and loops around a big butte and small butte. Try the 2.3-mile Double Butte Loop for a full experience of the park. The parking lot on Papago Park Drive has a drinking fountain, bike rack and picnic ramada, and no restrooms.
Hours: Gated roadways and parking areas are open from sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m., whichever comes first, but trails are open until 11 p.m.
East side trails
Trails include an interpretive nature trail to learn about Sonoran Desert flora and fauna, as well as a short hike inside Hole-in-the-Rock, the park's most popular scenic viewpoint and one of Phoenix's best hikes. Restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic ramadas are available on this side.
Hours: Gated roadways and parking areas are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m, but trails are open until 11 p.m.
Hole-in-the-Rock Trail
This intriguing formation on the park's east side features a main chamber that looks out over nearby lagoons and the distant downtown skyline, and is great for views (especially at sunset). The trail to the chamber consists of steps that rise 200 feet in just a short 1/10 of a mile. The formation is thought to have been used by the ancient Hohokam civilization to track the position of the sun through a hole in the rock "ceiling."
Distance: 0.3 miles
Trailhead: 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, parking lot directing you to the formation. If parking is unavailable, there are plenty of other parking lots within easy walking distance.
What to expect: Crowds, magnificent views of downtown Phoenix and Tempe, and incredible sandstone formations. Dogs are allowed on the trail.
