If you are thinking of hiking in Papago Park, please check out my post to decide which side is a good fit for you and your group. Happy Travels!
A Short Summary:
Who it's for:
West Side Trails: This is for you if you need paved trails or you would like an easier walking trail.
East Side Trails: These are for you if you would like something short and sweet. It's an easy activity to add after your time at the zoo or botanical gardens.
Who it's NOT for: The West side trails are paved, so they are great for just about anyone.
The East side trails are not paved and they are steep walking paths. So if you are unable to walk up a steep hill. This is not for you.
Papago Park Details
These buttes are located in Papago Park which is near the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens (both of which are worth checking out). The park has West Side trails and East Side trails.
The West Side trails are much flatter and offer paved accessible paths. The longest trail is the double butte loop trail at 2.3 miles. It takes you around both the small and large butte, but there are also individual trails around each one, if the double is too long.
The East Side trail is home to the famous “key hole” look out spot. This spot is found on the “Hole in the Rock” trail. The trail is only .3 miles and you get some really gorgeous views of Papago Park, the lagoons, and the city skyline in the distance.
The hike is a bit steep, but nothing too strenuous. It is good for most kids and adults. Once you get to the key hole, it can be quite busy so expect quite a few other locals and visitors to be up there too. However, getting that group photo will be worth it!
Some Final Thoughts if You Decide to Go
Here is my advice if you decide to hike the Papago Buttes:
1) Take advantage of the location, and see the Desert Botanical Gardens or the Zoo while you are there.
2) The west side has accessible paths around the buttes, but the East side does not.
3) The East side has the famous keyhole and lagoons for fishing. This is definitely the more popular of the two sides.
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