This is a very nice park with lots going on: a zoo, a botanical garden, a golf course, miles of biking and hiking trails, geocaching, a pyramid tomb, ponds for fishing, picnicking areas, and a rock with a big hole in it. Many of these activities are free. The park is vast and there is a decent amount of parking especially near the zoo but I am sure on weekends it must get very crowded. A real gem! read more

We found this park on Yelp! It's a great place to spend 1 hour and climb around the scenic mountain and enjoy the views. Parking was free and ample during our midweek visit. It's adjacent to the zoo and the parking lot is adjacent as well. We recommend visiting Papago and climbing the hill and then visiting the zoo. The trail is moderate and feasible for children and the elderly. One hour is sufficient to hike and enjoy the mountain and views. A ranger was at the parking lot the duration of our visit and made the security of the parking lot great. No trash or graffiti further enhanced the visit. We recommend this park and easy hike!! read more

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A must-see for tourists. I bring all my family and friends who are visiting from out of state here to do the short hike/walk up into the hole in the rock. Everyone always loves the pictures they get there, as well as the view. read more

Awesome place for a hike. A great taste of the desert in the heart of Phoenix. Really great views of the cities too, if you feel like climbing some moderate to steep buttes. read more

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What a beautiful park right in the heart of Phoenix. You would never imagine you are inside the city as you truly immerse in the little oasis. Beautiful sights, especially around sunset time. Highly recommended to spend a nice afternoon. read more

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Stumbled upon this place while killing time for flight home. Glad we did! It was a gem of a find. Beautiful scenery, and a great place to watch planes coming into Phoenix. You can even see some of the animals at the Phoenix Zoo from the mountain top near the Hunt Tomb. An absolute gorgeous place for a stroll. Super glad we found it. read more

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Super easy to get to and a great quick hike in the city. We parked quite far away, the first parking lot we found however you are able to drive much closer to the rock if you keep going! There are small trails that can lead to the rock, however many of them go in circles as we discovered! We had to get a little creative and it can be easy to loose your way back to the car! When facing the rock, you will want to go to the right side, we tried the left but it doesnt lead to the large hole you see people standing in! You will actually walk to the right, around the backside then up! It can be a bit misleading. We also walked over to the large pyramid on the hillside next to the rock. Very cool! The walk down from there, around a small pond has beautiful views. read more

For a beautiful, yet family-friendly hike, head to Papago Park. There's a large parking lot with information boards and drinking fountains nearby. Then follow the path to the rocks great for climbing. My wife, six-year-old daughter and I loved the short hike and scramble up the rocks for a beautiful view of the area. read more

Came here on a three hour layover from the airport. Never been to Phoenix and wanted to go somewhere close enough that I wouldn't miss my flight back home. I did some quick research and found this place was less than 10 minutes to and from the airport! I had a morning flight and decided to check it out. Ubers were easy to get to and from this location. The Hole In The Rock is famous here. The view was absolutely beautiful and the surrounding areas before getting up to The Hole In The Rock was stunning! Beautiful water and palm trees. You get desert vibes as well as bugs. They're not too bothersome though. If you're in a layover, it's worth the trip and mini hike! read more

Papago Park - The Hole In The Rock - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Great local getaway. Areas well cared, really great light hiking. Ample parking areas and picnic tables! read more

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Papago Park is a bumpy, lumpy desert park covering 1200 acres on the Phoenix side and 300 acres on the Tempe side. Tempe refers to its section of the park specifically as Tempe Papago Park", which seems kind of snobby and elitist. Isn't this how Hotel Rwanda started? The park, full of giant saguaro cactus (perfect for "stick em up" photos), and ancient and distinctive red sandstone geological formations, also features the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo (go when it's not hot. Which, I believe, is a four hour window in late January), picnic areas, 6 acres of Papago Ponds (8 foot deep on average with 6 types of fish), hiking trails, bike paths, a fire museum, Hunt's Tomb, and my main reason to go: Hole in the Rock. Hole in the Rock is well... it's a hole in a rock, so no surprises there. It's such a simple hike that it shouldn't qualify as a hike. It's more an uphill dirty walk in the sun, really, with the shade of the hole area as reward where it's a cool 92. Unless you recklessly climb the dangerous slippery sandstone rocks off-trail as we did one adventurous day), there's not a "hole" lot to do, other than enjoy the view. But even though it's unremarkable, I've been making Hole in the Rock a side trip almost anytime I visited Tempe's Mill Avenue since the 90s. (the decade and the temperature). There is some evidence that the Hohokam--a now-extinct aboriginal tribe that once lived in the Phoenix area--used the openings and sunlight to track the solstices. One legend has a 150-foot Kokopelli using it for his personal enjoyment when he was 13. Hunt's Tomb is a small, white, fenced off, pyramidal tomb of Arizona's first governor, George W. P. Hunt, who had it built there for his wife. He is buried there. Also, their daughter and his wife's family. I wonder if Mike Hunt is there. Some historical facts: Papago Park was designated a reservation for the local Maricopa and Pima tribes of aboriginal Americans in 1879. But they cancelled the reservation. It became the Papago-Saguaro National Monument in 1914, but this status was recalled by Congress, April 7, 1930, because the area was not considered suitable for a national monument. Talk about Indian givers! During World War II, Papago Park housed a POW camp and contained as many as 3,100 prisoners from 1942 to 1944. It was also the site of the largest mass escape from any United States prison camp in World War II. It's hard to keep them 25 Germans from crawling out with all those holes in the rock. read more

Papago Park - What kind of bread, I wonder. (95) - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Really nice park with tunnels and hiking grounds for all levels. You can take a nice 3.1me /5k or go up the mountains thru the tunnels. Really great park. read more

I'd say if you are in the area it's totally worth checking this park, especially for the "hole in the rock". There is also a couple ponds with palm trees, very pleasant to have a picnic or just relax. Otherwise, it's a desert park with not much as far as vegetation goes (not many cacti). But we went during the day and it might be better to go at dusk or sunset. read more

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This place was great, especially for fitness. The 5k path is really neat AND it's soft track (easier on them knees). I'm giving it four stars because it's just not EPIC. Definitely worth a visit tho read more

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We came to catch the very last sunset of 2020 here. It did get a bit crowded since everyone else had the same idea, except for the kids most adults did wore masks. Parking was plenty since people come and go here. It was a fairly easy hike/walk to go up to the Hole in the Rock. I don't recommend open toes shoes though it is pretty rocky and sandy all around. Many people brought their doggies here as well and so did ourselves. We got a perfect spot about 45 minutes before sunset and we had a perfect view of the park, downtown Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport. It was a great way to say good-bye to 2020. Wish we had more time in Phoenix to explore the park and around the city. read more

Papago Park - Waiting for sunset - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What was confusing at first was the parking lots are along the route to the zoo parking lot. You could even park at the outskirts of the Zoo lot and walk over. This area has the zoo, papago park, and botanical gardens in one area. After parking, the hole in the rock attraction was just a short walk away. However, it was very crowded and hard to get a nice picture. People were constantly getting in and out of the hole in the rock. There is a nice view of an oasis in the distance. There are some short trails in the park as well. If you walk along the paved courses all the way around, it can be around 2 miles. However, there are also small short paths that lead to small hilltops. Overall it is a nice place but not very strenuous if you're looking to get some exercise. Especially with the crowds and bikers, it's not super relaxing. However, it's a great place too top by to see the Hole in the Rock archaeological site. This is very kid friendly as well! There are covered benches if you want to bring lunch as well. read more

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I highly recommend to come here whether daytime or sunset. We came right before sunset to go up the Hole-in-the-wall rock and it was amazing! The park is very well maintained. You can see all the little picnic table areas around that are even more pretty in the dark when lighting up. read more

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Papago Park is a really easy-to-access, wonderful park in the Phoenix area. There are many different trails which intersect with each other, and the zoo and golf course are nearby too. The trails are well-marked and very well-maintained and the scenery is gorgeous. Hole-In-The-Rock is very well-known and offers a gorgeous and unique view of the city. read more

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Beautiful park great views. Close to old town Scottsdale restaurants and shopping area. read more

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Being cooped up in the house for 6 months straight with a toddler can be difficult at times! This past Friday, we definitely needed some fresh air (the 21 month old attitudes are REAL) and temps dropped below 100 (barely) so we decided to take a little drive/quick stroll through Papago Park! While parts of it seem a little run down, the overall park is pretty impressive. One thing is for sure, I cannot wait for temps to drop even more (where are you fall?) so that we can do some of the simple hikes/walks around the park! We even saw some horned sheep up on a hill at the Phoenix Zoo! It made our day! Overall, we all needed a little dose of natural beauty and this did the trick. Even if you don't feel comfortable getting out of your car, it is a nice change of scenery! Highly recommend! read more

Beautiful and clean. Full of nature and great hiking. Perfect for special photos. We even watched a couple get married. read more

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Was in town for a work retreat, stopped here to take in everything AZ. Great trails and beautiful scenery! read more

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I have been here a few times and the next time I come to Arizona, I will be coming again. It is beautiful here. So much to see. read more

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On my last evening here in Phoenix / Tempe, Arizona, I decided to pick up dinner nearby and walk to Papago Park to check things out and eat outdoors and enjoy the last of my vacation in 2021. It was nice and breezy, while being in the low 50's F. Quite enjoyable. I arrived here about 5:30pm after picking up dinner and there was a few people hanging out. I also saw couple of families with their kids and their dogs. Papago Park is pretty large, although I didn't walk around the circumference of the park. The desert landscape was interesting and definitely not what I am used to seeing, but it was a vacation. There's a handful of lakes here that complete the park, along with the Phoenix Zoo as well to complement the entire property. My time spent here was probably 2 hours, so I can get back to my hotel in time to get a full night's sleep before an early wake up call to get myself back to the airport for the ride home. The interesting thing about Papago Park is that it's connected to a golf course too. The entire block that is Papago Park includes the zoo and the golf course. Not many parks and open spaces can boast that kind of thing. With that said, I found myself a spot overlooking a lake and it was nice. It was peaceful and quiet, as most parks are. I would advise not coming here late at night, since things tend to happen late at night or early evening randomly. For the most part though, it was an enjoyable time spent here at Papago Park here in Tempe, Arizona, especially after eating dinner before sunset. The overall experience here at Papago Park was very nice and therapeutic. The desert scene in a park is so much different than the ones I'm used to in Honolulu, HI. A lot less green, but more yellows, oranges, and browns that make up this fascinating and inspirational landscape that is Papago Park. I walked around after eating my dinner and checked things out. It was genuinely a good experience for me, especially at a tail end of a vacation that included a 50km timed foot race in Glendale a few days prior to this visit. It was nice to see families and people visit the outdoors, especially with the whole covid thing that is still ongoing. I did enjoy everything there is to see here in Papago Park. I walked a bunch around the park to clear my head and walked off dinner a bit before heading back to the hotel. If you are in the area and want a boost of inspiration, consider coming to the Papago Park in sunny Tempe, Arizona. It's quite unique! Papago Park is located in the heart of Tempe, Arizona. Like many community parks, admission is free, which is always nice. Come as you go, kind of thing. Nearby is the main line of N Scottsdale Road, which is close enough to the Arizona State University - Tempe campus. I wished that I did see the Pheonix Zoo, but that's a visit for another time. As far as parking goes, you'd want to consult local area maps and consider street parking for your options. Since I walked here from my hotel on N Scottsdale Road, I don't know if there's private parking strictly for Papago Park itself, but I hope there is. If you are coming on public transportation, consider the right routes and times to make your trip here the best ever. Best bet would be to come here either early in the morning to catch the sunrise and to beat the heat or the sunset. Regardless of when you come, have a wonderful time here. I know I did and hope to come again soon. Oh, there's always Uber and Lyft too, if you need them to come here to Papago Park. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+ read more

Any large park in a big city gets my vote even if it is a housing estate for the homeless and a garbage dump based on the vagaries of the wind. Most of Papago Park is a delightful expanse if well-used bike and walking paths. Most people are here to visit either the Phoenix Zoo or the Desert Botanical Gardens but there are a number of other places you can visit while you are in the area. Last time I was here I watched a coyote run across one of the hills less than 50 yards in front of me. There is an abundance of jackrabbits running helter skelter all around you if you look carefully. There are a number of hills and valleys to negotiate as well as many different rock formations to explore. There is usually enough parking close to where you want to be although some of the parking lots fill to capacity early in the morning before the sun is burning. Enjoy the park! read more

This is an incredibly popular park in Tempe! I came early in the morning a few months back before the weather got to warm and there was already a crowd on a weekday. I can see why though, it is a beautiful place in the city where you can walk around and enjoy the surroundings. Lots of bird life near the water and free parking! I wouldn't say there is a ton to do at the park, but I'll most likely stop by again if I want to escape the feeling of being in a city without driving too far! read more

Papago Park - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Fun place to visit while in the Phoenix area. Easy quick hike up to hole in the rock with great views! Surrounding area is beautiful too to walk around and enjoy nature. read more

Papago Park - Hole in the rock. - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What a fun, cheap way to have fun. This park offers a number of trails and activites, yet doesn't break the bank. The park appears to be fully pet friendly, along with child friendly. We spent hours enjoying the light trails, and great scenery. Vacationing from the midwest, 65 degrees was a heat wave for us. I would visit this park regularly if only I lived closer. read more

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Second time here and it was as pretty as I remembered it. It is no wonder why there are a lot of people that take their photos here for their occasions. Lots of picnic spots, restrooms were pretty clean for a public one, hiking spots, an area where you can toss rings or horseshoes... generally a pretty area to have some quality time with the people you love. read more

Papago Park - So pretty ^_^ - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

A nice park in the heart of the city with rock formations. You can even see a lot of the planes come in and land at the airport. The little pond with the palm trees and ducks is surely an oasis in the desert. This is a great place to take a sunset stroll. read more

Papago Park - Ducks out in the pond, ignoring me obviously. - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Big fan of Papago park because of the archery range. Just bring your own target and you can shoot sun-up to sun-down. Couple nice little hikes. Some ponds you can fish in managed by game and fish. Right near the zoo and botanical gardens. One of Scottsdale's great amenities read more

Great place to hike, the hole in the wall is a cool short hike and good for photo ops. But today I went to try Papago amphitheater. It was such a great workout. We ran the steps and used it to do exercises. It was not listed on the map so we had to drive around tell we found it off McDowell rd. We plan to come back to hike around the area and to use the stairs to workout. read more

Papago Park - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The park is much bigger than I expected. You can spend as much or as little time here as you want. There is a 3 mile loop hike which is a paved path. You can also walk up some paths into the rocks. There is quite a bit of loose rock so be very careful depending on what shoes you have. The coolest spot at Papago Park is called "In the Hole In the Rock at Papago Park" which is a very short 0.3 mile walk up into a beautiful view and is not a strenuous walk. It is paved but still has some loose rock FYI. If you only want to spend a few minutes here I highly recommend checking that spot out. Or stop here after a trip to the Phoenix Zoo which is within walking distance to the Hole in the Rock. Overall I think this is a small gem of a hike in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and is worth checking out. read more

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In a metropolitan city like Phoenix, it is definitely nice to have an outdoor retreat just minutes away. The park is easily accessible. Free parking in its huge lot. The first thing I said after getting out of the car was: It finally feels like Arizona. Mountains. Trees. Cacti. Ponds. Omg dirt! After strolling around the entrance of the Phoenix Zoo, we made our way over to the popular geological formation called Hole-in-the-Rock. Giant holes caused by erosion millions of years ago. A short trail around to the back and a small climb to the largest hole. Great landscape view from the top. The other holes are also accessible, but for more experienced hikers. There are other trails throughout the park and other attractions such as the Desert Botantical Garden and Hunt's Tomb. Papago Park! Highlight of my trip!! =D read more

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I recommend to go there late during summer time, nice place to chil. https://youtu.be/49AznFzsqKI read more

Really pretty and beautiful but there's a lot of glass everywhere you look so watch your step but anyways would recommend

Nestled in Tempe, on the same property as the zoo and close to the Botanical gardens is papago park. The park has the very fun Hole in the wall, which you can climb to the talk as well as a man made lake that you can fish at, picnic at or just relax. I have always enjoyed coming here and it is a nice little place to go after the zoo or the botanical gardens read more

Papago Park - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Fun place to explore, but my god- the shear number of dog poop bags left everywhere by owners was disgraceful. I mean, at least they took the time to bag it, I guess, but there were dozens. No exaggeration. May be, in part, because there aren't trash receptacles in very many places, but that honestly shouldn't matter. It's your dog and their mess, so clean it up. Otherwise, there are great areas to stay on or off trail, hike, bike, climb, run, look for small wildlife. We enjoyed our time there. read more

It's an extremely short hike if you hike around Papago park. The view from the top is ok. Most of the hike is walking and not at an incline. There is a nearby pond. I sometimes see people fishing in the pond. I wonder if they catch anything. But, to fish you need a license. At the pond I sometimes see ducks. Parking is terrible. The place is usually crowded during the months when it's not too hot or cold. I would say that to find a space easy you'd have to go during the hot summer months or cold winter months. But, the best time to enjoy being there is during the time of good weather. It took me 30 minutes to find a space to park. Papago park is nearby to the zoo and the botanical garden. There are picnic tables and ramadas that can be rented. Like the entire park, you have to be wary of it being too busy. There is also the governor's tomb at the park. It is the white pyramid. read more

The Hole in the Rock is the main attraction. We did not climb up there as I was not wearing the right shoes, though as heard that it was not a strenuous climb. There is a nice small lake area with fishing, and a lot of wildlife if you know what to look for. We saw rabbits, lizards and prairie dogs. The desert scenery was beautiful and I'd love to come back to check out the zoo and botanical garden. read more

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