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Papago Park Guide: Best Trails, Attractions, and Outdoor Adventures in Phoenix

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Dark red rock formations silhouetted against a soft orange and blue sunset sky.

Papago Park Guide: Best Trails, Attractions, and Outdoor Adventures in Phoenix

Local Info | July 18, 2025 | SWSS Staff

Located just south of Old Town Scottsdale and north of Downtown Tempe, Papago Park is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Phoenix for both locals and tourists. This beautiful park, spanning over 1,500 acres, is renowned for its unique red sandstone buttes and scenic views, and is situated near some of the most popular attractions and activities in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Below, we’ve rounded up a list of the best things to do and see in Papago Park, from stunning hiking and biking trails to family-friendly activities and unique historical attractions, to help you plan the perfect day of adventure and exploration in Papago Park. Let’s jump right in!

Hiking Trails in Papago Park

One of the main draws that brings visitors to Papago Park is the park’s spectacular hiking trails.

Since all the hikes in Papago Park have an “easy” difficulty level, hiking in Papago Park is ideal for beginners or families with kids who aren’t quite ready to tackle some of the more challenging hikes in Scottsdale or Phoenix. Here are the top trails to explore:

Hole-in-the-Rock Trail

Hole-in-the-Rock is the most iconic hike in Papago Park (and one of the most iconic hikes in Phoenix!), named after the hole at the trail’s end that has been eroded into the sandstone rock. Though this out-and-back trail isn’t much of a “hike” — only 0.3 miles long with a slight elevation gain— the short hike to the top offers surprisingly panoramic views of Papago Park and Tempe and gorgeous sunset views.

Double Butte Loop Trail

Double Butte Loop Trail is one of the longest hikes in Papago Park, spanning 2.2 miles with an elevation gain of 114 feet. This trail will lead you to the small butte near the parking lot and around the larger double buttes within the park, so it’s a great way to soak up the gorgeous (and unique!) red sandstone buttes that make this park distinct. This trail is also a popular spot for mountain biking and running.

Other Trails

In addition to Hole-in-the-Rock and the Double Butte Loop Trail, consider checking out other hiking trails in Papago Park. For example, the Nature Trail, which runs next to picnic ramadas and a small playground, is perfect for hiking with children, while the Papago Park 5K Fitness Trail, complete with outdoor exercise stations along the route, is ideal for fitness enthusiasts.

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Recreational Activities at Papago Park

Palm trees reflecting in a calm pond with a rocky hill in the background.

Hiking isn’t the only activity to enjoy in Papago Park — this park offers several other fun (and diverse!) recreational opportunities for visitors. Here are a few of the most popular:

Mountain Biking

Since most of the trails in Papago Park are relatively flat and well-maintained, they’re an excellent option for bikers in Scottsdale (especially beginners!). One of the best trails for bikers in Papago Park is the Galvin Bikeway Trail. This trail starts at the park’s entrance, runs parallel to Galvin Parkway, and connects to the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo.

Golfing

Dreaming of hitting a hole-in-one while soaking up gorgeous views? If so, head to the Papago Golf Club at Papago Park — a public 18-hole golf course surrounded by the picturesque red sandstone buttes. The Papago Golf Course is home to both the men’s and women’s golf teams at Arizona State University, and it offers a clubhouse with a restaurant. You can book tee times online.

Archery

Want to pick up a new hobby? If so, you might be interested in learning archery at the range in Papago Park, maintained by the Papago Archery Association. This range is open to the public from sunrise to sunset and is free to use. You can also attend a beginner’s archery course, book private lessons, or become a member for free access to club equipment (otherwise, you’ll need to bring your own).

Fishing

Papago Park is home to three beautiful ponds that are stocked with catfish, trout, bass, sunfish, and other native fish in Arizona. With a valid fishing license from the Arizona Game & Fish Department, you can bring your fishing rod to “reel in” a catch or two during park hours, from 6 AM to 7 PM.

Top Attractions in Papago Park

Rocky desert mountains at sunset with palm trees and scattered lights in the foreground.

Papago Park is home to some of the most well-known and well-loved attractions in the Greater Phoenix area. Whether you want to learn something new at a local museum or want to spend a family-friendly day at the zoo or botanical garden, Papago Park has something for everyone!

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is the largest nonprofit zoo in the United States, housing over 3,000 animals from more than 400 species, including several endangered species. Kids and adults alike will love exploring the “trails” in the park, from the Africa and Arizona Trails to the Tropics and Children’s Trails, to learn more about the animals both here at home and around the world!

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden is a stunning botanical garden in Phoenix, spanning 140 acres and featuring over 50,000 desert plants from around the world. If you want to learn more about the plants that make the desert landscapes so beautiful — or are simply looking for a fun way to soak up the sunshine with the family — the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park will delight the entire crew!

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

If you’ve ever been curious about the history of firefighting, pay a visit to the Hall of Flame Museum in Papago Park. This museum is the world’s largest dedicated to firefighting and features over 100 fire trucks and fully restored pieces of firefighting equipment, dating back to 1725. This museum also features a children’s play area and a real fire truck for kids to explore!

Arizona Heritage Center

If you’d like to learn more about Arizona’s past during your visit to Scottsdale, check out the Arizona Heritage Center in Papago Park. This museum features exhibits spanning over 100 years of the state’s history, including significant historical events such as World War II.

Historical Attractions

Papago Park has had a rich history, having been home to the ancient Hohokam civilization, a bass fish hatchery during the Great Depression, a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, a VA hospital, and an Army Reserve facility, before the land was sold to the City of Phoenix in 1959. As you explore Papago Park, here are some remnants of the city’s history to discover:

  • Governor Hunt’s Tomb — The first governor of Arizona, George W.P. Hunt, had a tomb built for his wife in 1931 in Papago Park. He, his wife, and other family members are buried there.
  • Eisendrath House Eisendrath House is a beautiful Pueblo Revival adobe house built in 1930. You can book a self-guided or guided tour of the home during your visit to Papago Park.

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