Papago Park: Hole-in-the-Rock Geological Trail & Desert Fishing Lagoons

About this adventure

Papago Park's Hole-in-the-Rock is one of Phoenix's most beloved natural geological landmarks. A gentle 0.3-mile trail winds up the back of a red sandstone butte with wide, easy rock steps, leading right into an open rock chamber where young children can scramble inside natural cave alcoves and look through circular openings out across the skyline and desert ponds below. At the base of the buttes, families can stroll along the palm-lined Papago Ponds, where kids love watching winter migratory ducks, geese, and turtles swimming in the serene urban fishing lagoons. While the short climb to Hole-in-the-Rock has steps best tackled on foot or with a baby backpack carrier, the loop trails around the ponds and picnic ramadas are paved and completely stroller-accessible.