Papago Park

Papago Park is a 1,200-acre desert park in the heart of the Phoenix metro area, best known for its dramatic red sandstone buttes and the iconic Hole in the Rock formation. For families, it offers an accessible and free introduction to Sonoran Desert hiking without the commitment of a wilderness trail. The Hole in the Rock hike is one of the most popular family activities in Phoenix -- short enough for preschoolers, scenic enough for Instagram, and free enough for any budget.

Hole in the Rock is exactly what it sounds like: a natural geological opening (technically a hollow formed by water erosion) in a small red sandstone butte. A paved-then-dirt trail leads from the parking lot to the base of the butte, and then a short scramble on natural rock steps brings you up to the opening. Total distance from car to the hole is about a quarter mile, with maybe 50 feet of elevation gain.

Kids as young as 3 can handle it with a helping hand on the rocky sections. At the top, the hole opens to panoramic views of the Phoenix skyline, Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, and on clear days, Four Peaks to the northeast. It is stunning, especially at sunset when golden light pours through the opening.

Beyond Hole in the Rock, Papago Park has several miles of hiking and biking trails ranging from flat paved paths to moderate desert trails. The Papago Park Loop Trail (2 miles, easy) circles the main butte area and is suitable for jogging strollers on most sections. The Double Butte Loop Trail (3.

5 miles, moderate) offers a longer hike through rocky terrain with multiple viewpoints. Both trails expose kids to classic Sonoran Desert landscapes: saguaro cacti, cholla, prickly pear, creosote bushes, and if they look carefully, lizards, roadrunners, and jackrabbits.

The park is completely free -- no entrance fee, no parking fee, no permits needed. This makes it an ideal complement to the paid attractions surrounding it. The Phoenix Zoo occupies the park's southern section.

The Desert Botanical Garden is directly across Galvin Parkway. And the Hall of Flame Fire Museum (an interesting niche attraction for fire-truck-loving kids) is on the park's eastern edge. Families often combine a morning at the zoo with an afternoon Hole in the Rock hike, or start with a sunrise hike and follow it with the Botanical Garden.

Critical desert safety advice: even though these trails are short and close to parking, Arizona's desert heat is serious. From May through September, temperatures regularly exceed 100-110F and can cause heat-related illness rapidly, especially in children. During hot months, hike only at sunrise (before 8 AM) or sunset (after 5 PM).

Carry at least 16 ounces of water per person for even a short hike. Apply sunscreen and wear hats. The red rock surfaces absorb and radiate heat, making the trail feel even hotter than the ambient temperature.

In the ideal October-April season, Papago Park is comfortable all day. The red rocks glow beautifully in morning and late-afternoon light. Weekend mornings bring runners, dog walkers, and families, but the park is large enough that it never feels crowded.

There are no restroom facilities on the Hole in the Rock trail itself -- the nearest restrooms are at the nearby zoo or botanical garden parking areas.

Papago Park is centrally located between Phoenix and Scottsdale, easily accessible from major highways (Loop 202, Highway 51). It is about 10-15 minutes from downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale resorts.