Papago Park
Papago Park
4.5
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
This park offers runners both paved and dirt trails.
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  • IndieBajan
    New York City, New York130 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Desert Oasis
    Just a little walk away from Hole in the Rock is Papago Park. A must-see location in the Phoenix area that is free and centrally located in close proximity to other sights like the Desert Botanical Garden and Hole in the Rock. It is a beautiful desert oasis where I saw people fishing, riding bikes, or just relaxing in the comfort of a palm tree. There is a bathroom and a water fountain by the parking area close to Hole in the Rock but I would recommend bringing your own bottled water. A beautiful location to spend a few hours relaxing or participating in an activity.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 November 2023
  • Noraatc
    Sudbury, Massachusetts39,913 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning red rocks and no crowds
    Papago Park offers several easy and moderate hikes, which are clearly signposted and not difficult to follow. You really cannot get lost there even if you want to. The park is a short walk from the Hole in the Rock and Phoenix Zoo parking lot. We had done part of the the Fitness Loop and the Little Butte Loop; the latter surprised us with unexpected challenges on the descent only because we deviated from the path and climbed all the way up the steep hill. Nothing too difficult, but do descend with caution. The views are simply stunning; especially on a bright sunny day.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 January 2024
  • Don Hummer Jr
    Dublin, Ohio1,073 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Short Brisk Walk with Fun Sights
    I was working in Tempe for the week and wanted to get a hike in before I headed to the airport so went to Papago Park. While here, I checked out the Hole in the Rock which was pretty much in the same parking lot, walked across the street and did a few trails around the water oasis. Nothing too crazy or long hikes but still it was fun to walk around and enjoy nature. I did see a roadrunner which was fun.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 3 March 2024
  • Jane P
    Region of Waterloo, Canada513 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great hike & terrific bird watching. Free.
    The hike up to the Hole in the Rock is a bit challenging - especially at the very top. Beautiful park. We spent some time bird watching at the ponds - saw many species. Free and worth a visit.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 March 2024
  • Michele J
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Views and short hike!
    My husband and I went to the Hole in the Rock. It was a climb but it was a very doable one because it winds around. We were so pleased we did this. We are both over 60. After we descended we walked over to another hill and climbed that. The views are great. There are also a number of other trails in the park to enjoy. Highly recommend!!!!
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 March 2024
  • Th3HappyTraveler
    Reynoldsburg, Ohio311 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great views for minimal effort
    Decided to stop here for a quick look before checking into our AirBnB after arriving in Phoenix. It’s close to the airport and next to the Phoenix Zoo. It reminds me of an oasis in the desert. Small desert animal-themed playground and short nature trail for those unable to climb to Hole In The Rock. Or just watch the waterfowl on the pond—very tranquil. Only the trail to the “Hole” was busy on a weekday AM.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 March 2024
  • W4835TAsandral
    30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Popago Park in Phoenix
    This is a great place to go for a short hike. It is scenic and right next to the botanical gardens, with a good location in Phoenix. Our trip was perfect as February is not too hot in Arizona; summer months may be a little trying so bring water. There are also picnic tables available.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 14 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles862 reviews
Excellent
474
Very good
310
Average
68
Poor
7
Terrible
3

Lisa S
Indianapolis, IN118 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Couples
Papago Park is a popular spot for those wanting to spend the day outdoors but not traveling outside the city. We did not go to the zoo, but the parking lot was packed. We opted to check out the Hole in the Rock since it was a fairly easy walk to the top, but it was so crowded at the top and not a lot of people wearing masks made it a bit uncomfortable in our current situation. It did also make this Indiana girl a little nervous to see people climbing higher up on sloped rocks where I thought they could easily fall off any minute. I’ve had to get used to no guardrails in Arizona! The Desert Botanical Garden was also a nice stop for people like us who have never visited the desert before.
Written 23 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

InfrqntTrvlr
Anywhere, MD44 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
I used to like this park and visited often. Back in the day it was possible to enjoy a quiet hike here. But the building of hundreds of apartments and condos along McDowell Road has meant that the park is usually busy now. Mountain bikers are in the process of ruining what's left of the park by cutting their own trails through the section to the West of Galvan Parkway. There was also a recent homicide here, and few details about it have been published locally. It's an urban park now, with little to none desert wildlife.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian Redd
Phoenix, AZ30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Papago Park has many great hiking trails and attractions like the Big and Little Buttes, Hole in the Rock, and Papago Amphitheater. If you are an outdoorsy type person, you will love this park located near ASU, Tempe Town Lake, and Old Town Scottsdale. If you decide to visit Papago Park, I recommend downloading and using the Avem app, it shows you exactly what is at the park and then how to find whatever you're interested in. This includes restrooms, drinking fountains, and shaded sitting areas.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RKay
Chicago, IL298 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
Just a nice respite in the middle of the crazy traffic dessert area. I have a back and hip issue and unfortunately all my walking and hiking are quite the back burner thing to do, but saying that, while were were staying nearby, we looked for a place that had different options for driving around, and siteseeing. We came here and drove to the Zoo parking lot, and found another parking area right under the Hole in the Rock parking lot. We exited the zoo parking area and too the first right driveway which takes you right under this Hole in the Rock area. Being walking limited I carefully ventured up this incline to the Hole in the Rock with my husband. I was able to almost make it up to the top, and this walk half way up was a great way to view the zoo down below and the beautiful palm trees and park. I loved this place.

My hubby went all the way up to the top of the Hole and enjoyed the view. This is a very nice park in the middle of craziness of the heavily trafficed Phoenix area.
Written 5 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bernard D
Gilbert, United States2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
Papago Park Review.

We did the 5k trail in the park. We got there super early (5:30) to watch the sunset.
The trail was an easy little stroll. There are views of the Buttes the city lights
desert landscapes. The 5k is easy for all fitness levels. There are
parts of the trail that does go past a golf course and some neighboring residential
communities. It is still a comfortable safe hike in the heart of the city.
Written 8 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

paws0810
Mesa, AZ3,058 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Couples
We are new to the area so we are driving around looking at things to see and we found this great park although it is 110° way too hot to walk around we did get out and about a little bit and take some photos. We will come back and the weather is cooler.. We serve people trying to climb the mountain and we’re not really sure if that’s a safe thing to do.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Randy
Albany, NY624 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021 • Couples
Really pretty desert park. Take a quick 5 -10 min walk up to the hole in the rock for beautiful views. We also stopped at the White Pyramid grave / memorial for a history lesson on a leading founder of the State of Arizona at Governor Hunt’s Tomb.
Written 27 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

IndieBajan
New York City, NY130 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
Just a little walk away from Hole in the Rock is Papago Park. A must-see location in the Phoenix area that is free and centrally located in close proximity to other sights like the Desert Botanical Garden and Hole in the Rock. It is a beautiful desert oasis where I saw people fishing, riding bikes, or just relaxing in the comfort of a palm tree. There is a bathroom and a water fountain by the parking area close to Hole in the Rock but I would recommend bringing your own bottled water. A beautiful location to spend a few hours relaxing or participating in an activity.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lizel24
Orderville, UT85 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Family
We went to the zoo and then wanted to have a picnic here. It was beautiful and the weather was really nice. But despite the picnic tables being very far away from each other you couldn’t use any of them. It was very disappointing. We had to sit on the gravel to make lunch. Seemed a little ridiculous.
Written 28 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kyle E
Peoria, AZ5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Very scenic fishing spot. The park is well shaded around the lakes and the vegetation attracts all sorts of birds and other wildlife. There are several good sized lakes for community fishing. I got myself a decent sized catfish and saw several people pulling out some nice sized trout as well.
Written 8 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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PAPAGO PARK - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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