Papago Park Trails

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail. Proceed left to access Crosscut Canal Trail.

Description: The Crosscut Canal Trail follows along the canal on the dirt and concrete banks of the canal. The trail is a wide canal bank trail that allows many different types of users to enjoy the trail.  The trail passes be the Desert Botanical Garden and The Phoenix Zoo.  There are many entrance and exit points along the trail.

Distance: 1.4 miles

Elevation Change: 20 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the Papago Park entrance. Proceed to Galvin Bikeway Trail.

Description: The Galvin Bikeway Trail connects the Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park, and the Phoenix Zoo.  This concrete pathway provides access to a bus stop on Van Buren St. The Galvin Bikeway Trail runs parallel to Galvin Pkwy along the east side of the roadway.

Distance: 1.4 miles

Elevation Change: 50 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the Papago Park Visitor Center and proceed to Hole-in-the-Rock Trail.

Description: The Hole-in-the-Rock Trail is a very short natural dirt and step path that wraps around Hole-in-the-Rock Butte to a large viewing hole in the butte.  This short trail wraps around Hole-in-the-Rock Butte to a large wind eroded hole.  This very popular trail guides users to a large hole in the butte where visitors can look over the Phoenix metropolitan area.  The portion of trail along the backside of the butte incorporates a series of steps.

Distance: 0.2 miles

Elevation Change: 200 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the Papago Park Visitor Center. Proceed to the Nature Trail.

Description: This trail is short, easy, gravel trail that guides users along a bordered pathway in the heart of the Papago Park.  The trail runs adjacent to a number of picnic ramadas and a small playground. Many plants along the path are identified and the trail is very easy to follow.  This trail provides a nice walk through the center of a Sonoran Desert park.

Distance: 0.5 miles

Elevation Change: 20 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the Papago Park Visitor Center and proceed to the Ranger Office Loop Trail.

Description: The Ranger Office Loop Trail is a paved trail that is incorporated into the main Papago Park Roadway.  The trail is distinguished by a solid white line, similar to a standard bicycle lane, and it follows the central roadway loop.  Several parking areas and picnic ramadas are along the trail.  The trail starts also passes by the Papago Park Visitor Center and public restrooms.  

Distance: 0.6 miles

Elevation Change: 20 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the West Park Drive parking lot. Proceed north to the Big Butte Loop Trail

Description: The Big Butte Loop Trail is a natural trail that traverses the circumference of the larger double buttes.  Users will enjoy dramatic views of the downtown corridor and have an opportunity to the visit an amphitheater built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1933.  This trail travels through a typical Sonoran Desert biome.

Distance: 0.8 miles

Elevation Change: 50 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the West Park Drive parking lot. Proceed north to the Double Butte Loop Trail.

Description: The Double Butte Loop Trail is a natural trail that traverses the circumference of both the small butte near the parking lot and the larger double buttes.

Distance: 2.3 miles

Elevation Change: 50 feet

Difficulty:  Easy

Access: Start at the West Park Drive parking lot. Proceed north to the Elliot Ramada Loop Trail.

Description: The Elliot Ramada Loop Trail loop is a marvelous trail that has a wonderful ramada rest stop at the halfway point.  Trail users travel along a dirt path and a paved roadway. This trail also provides spectacular views of the downtown corridor and several benches are placed along the paved portion of the trail.

Distance: 2.7 miles

Elevation Change: 50 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the West Park Drive parking lot. Proceed north on Double Butte Loop Trail to connect to Little Butte Loop Trail.

Description: The Little Butte Loop Trail is a natural trail that traverses the circumference of the smaller butte located between the parking lot and the larger double buttes.  Users will enjoy dramatic views of the downtown corridor and the Papago Golf Course.  This trail allows user to explore a small sandstone butte and observe a number of native Sonoran Desert plants and cacti.

Distance: 0.5 miles

Elevation Change: 50 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Start at the West Park Drive parking lot. Proceed north to the Papago Park Fitness Trail.

Description: The Papago Park Fitness Trail is an enjoyable multi-use crushed granite trail that navigates the western portion of Papago Park. The trail starts and ends at the parking lot on the west side of Galvin Parkway opposite the Phoenix Zoo entrance. However, users may access it from the amphitheater if they hike westward around the butte. There are multiple outdoor exercise stations along the trail and each exercise station provides trail users an opportunity to stretch or strengthen different muscle groups. While traversing the trail, users may encounter wildlife and birds. Trail users will observe a variety of native Sonoran Desert plants. There are two shade ramadas and drinking fountains along the trail. Restrooms are not available along the Papago Park Fitness Trail.   

Distance: 3.1 miles

Elevation Change: 70 feet