Papago Park in Phoenix

Hats off to Papago Park

Papago Park in Phoenix is split into two halves by Galvin Parkway, and they feel like different parks entirely. The east half is where you’ll find the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Hole in the Rock formation, and the pyramid tomb of Arizona’s first governor, George W.P. Hunt — including Hole in the Rock, one of our favorite sunset spots. These photos are from the west half, which is more about hiking and open desert.

The west half has several trails, but an easy loop starts at the north end of the parking lot: a paved road for the first half, then a well-maintained trail for the second. If you want more of a workout, you can walk the loop around either of the two large buttes (Double Butte, as it’s often called). For a longer but easier walk, there’s also a path around the edge of the Papago Golf Course — Trail 2, about 9 Fitbit flights worth of climbing.

It can be tempting to climb up and over the buttes off-trail, but that comes with real risk. Bob was at the park once and came across a young man who had climbed up and gotten stuck partway down the other side, unable to move safely in either direction. Bob called 911, and it took a large ladder truck to get him down safely. Stick to the marked trails.