Hole in the Rock

Phoenix, Arizona

3.9/5

based on 16 reviews

Save

View all 32 photos

All 32 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

0.27 miles

Elevation Gain

33 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Grant Thomas

The popular Hole in the Rock at Papago Park is the perfect place to take in the views and capture some unique photos!

Papago Park is located right next to the Phoenix Zoo. The park is known for its rock formations and short hiking / running trails.

The main attraction, the Hole in the Rock, at the top of the short trail, is a great place to take pictures as it is one of the highest points in the area and it offers great views of the rest of the park. To get there, simply park in the parking lot (if the small parking lot is full, don't fret. The Phoenix Zoo is right next to the park and you can find room to park there) Once parked follow the Hole In The Rock trail around the back of the rock formation. The trail is short and only gains about 200 feet of elevation so even children can do it. Just make sure to be careful, as the trail is rocky and it can be easy to trip or twist an ankle.

From the lookout area at the end of the trail you will be able to look through the hole and see a few small lakes where you can fish. If you turn around and face away from the hole in the rock you will also be able to see a few other trails that meander around the park. A detailed map of the rest of the trails in the park can be found below.

Download Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Photography

Fitness

Chillin

Running

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Picnic Area

Hole in the Rock Reviews

Geoff Gallagher

Wayfinder

Hole in the Rock

06/30/25

Part of the Phoenix zoo is natural rock has a hole in it where you sit in it and watch the sunset over Phoenix, absolutely incredible! Worth a trip if you are anywhere near it lots of different places to view lots of different rocks decline!

5.0

Ian Raab

Scout

Hole in the Rock

03/19/25

Great veiws, super crowed midday, and awesome sunset watching in evening. Super short “hike” less than a quarter mile from the parking lot. Great 360 veiws if you climb above the hole to top, but some slick rocks along the edge so climb at your own risk!

4.0

Cindy LoCricchio

Wanderer

Hole in the Rock

02/11/23

Hole in the rock is about 10 minutes from the parking lot, it’s super cool, glad we did it and we also kept hiking. It was a good day to get some vitamin D, and because we were so close to the zoo and botanical gardens. We’ve just popped over to the botanical gardens. I WOULD RECOMMEND

5.0

Tien Dang

Wanderer

Hole in the Rock

01/01/21

I wouldn't say this was much of a hike. You probably won't break much of a sweat unless you are hiking it during the summer. Being in the middle of the city, it is expected that this place gets CROWDED!

4.0

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Explorer

Hole in the Rock

09/22/20

This urban park built into a wilderness area makes this quick but steep hike full of awesome views.

5.0

Crystal Sibson

Explorer

Hole in the Rock

08/13/20

The hike to the cave in Papago Park is a short hike in the city that offers good views and is for all experience levels.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Double Butte Loop

From the rocks in Papago Park you can see all of Tempe and into Downtown Phoenix. During the summer it is a tremendous vantage point to watch the infamous haboobs (intense dust storm) roll through the valley. If they're at sunset or just before, the color experience is phenomenal. Of course, you have to be ready to suffer through it yourself. TRAIL This trail begins from the parking lot on...

Tempe Town Lake and the Mill Avenue Bridge

Last year I went to Phoenix for a few days for work. I googled lots of places to shoot pictures around Phoenix, but the majority of them were in neighboring areas, and I only had an hour or two after work and couldn't drive an hour to a better photography spot. One place that kept coming up was Tempe Town Lake and the Mill Ave Bridge. I was planning on having dinner in this part of town, so...

Arizona Canal Trail

Camelback Mountain via Cholla Trail

This challenging hike up the east side of Camelback Mountain has beautiful views of Phoenix and Scottsdale, and is not often crowded. You will begin on switchbacks heading up the mountain, with trail markers to guide you at first. The hike increases in difficulty about 1 mile in, when you reach the saddle, and you will have to do some scrambling during the last stretch to the top.

Climb the East Face of the Praying Monk

5.6 Sport climb, up an 80 foot face, 9 bolts to the top. This was the first outdoor climb for myself. It opened the doors to getting out of the gym and becoming a part of the local climbing community. I highly recommend it, as it is not too difficult, and can be done with a group of people. The Approach and Climb Head to the Echo Canyon side of Camelback. Hike up the trail until you get to th...

Climb the Praying Monk

Park at the Echo Canyon Parking Area.From the trailhead, hike up Echo trail until your reach the saddle. At the saddle, you will turn south and start taking the climbers trail to the headwall, which is just past the sign that says "caution, active bee area." Once you reach the headwall, there are multiple, easy options to start with. There are two class 4 routes and then to the right of thos...

Hole in the Rock

Details

Description

Download Outbound mobile app

Features

Hole in the Rock Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Double Butte Loop

Tempe Town Lake and the Mill Avenue Bridge

Arizona Canal Trail

Camelback Mountain via Cholla Trail

Climb the East Face of the Praying Monk

Climb the Praying Monk

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps