Hole in the Rock
Hole in the Rock
4.5
About
Enjoy breathtaking views from the top of this unusual rock formation in Phoenix’s Papago Park after an easy 10-minute hike from the parking lot. Drop by right before sunset for milder temperatures and an even more stunning vista. The place can get quite crowded at this time of day, though. You can also picnic in the shade or visit other must-see attractions within Papago Park, such as Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. There are other trails in the park that are great for walking or hiking. If you’re traveling in the warmer months, bring plenty of water to endure the desert climate. – Tripadvisor
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Hole in the Rock and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Camelback East
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
670 within 3 miles
Attractions
289 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- IndieBajanNew York City, New York152 contributionsA hole with a viewA must-see location when in the Phoenix area. The best thing is that the sight is free and centrally located in close proximity to other sights like the Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park. The hike is short but mild to moderate due to the steep rocks when approaching the entrance of the rock. It's best to wear shoes with good grip because the rocks inside the hole can be a bit slippery due to the slant positioning. The location provides a beautiful view of the Northern Phoenix. There is a bathroom and a water fountain by the parking area but I would recommend bringing your own bottled water. Just a little walk away is Papago Park which is also a must-see.Visited November 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 25, 2023
- Robert HLynchburg, Virginia457 contributionsA good little view in PhoenixWith a couple hours to kill before heading to the airport this fit just right. Close to sunset and not far from the airport car rental center it just worked. A short path to the top a little rough if your walking is not the best but easy otherwise. Definitely squeeze this in if you can when visiting Phoenix. A perfect ending after our Fiesta bowl trip!!Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 6, 2024
- Brandelyn CCalgary, Canada12 contributionsQuick, Easy Desert Hike with a ViewPhoenix is a great place to visit! So many amazing little shops, micro breweries, and tourist attractions located in close proximity to one another that you can easily visit several places in one day. We had an evening flight home so we were able to visit quite a few places, including this quick hike up hole in the rock trail.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 21, 2024
- EdwelshNorth Canton, Ohio7,337 contributionsWell worth it!You park right in front of it and then from there you have an easy 10 minute walk to get up to the top right behind the hole. Nice view from up there, although you are basically in the city, so that’s what you can expect to see. We did not climb into the hole, we left that for the younger crowd, there was a steep little slope to get into it. Then we walked around the other side back towards the parking lot. We took a stroll onto one of the trails in and used the restroom in Papago Park. Well worth it!Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 11, 2024
- soccermom82241 contributionsThis is a must!Visited with my 4 and 5 year old granddaughters, such a beautiful place and the hike was easy! The adults and kids had fun climbing to the hole, the views at the top are beautiful! Highly recommend for a first hike!Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 6, 2024
- JoAnn MIndianapolis, Indiana389 contributionsThe great westIt is an easy to middlin walk /hike up. Beautiful view as you walk up Get to the top and through the hole to watch sunset if you can --- WOW!!what a site!. My advide is to take water with you. There is no place to get anything on the way up. You can get dehydrated fast. The cactus are straight out of a movie or cartoon. The sky and rock are just stunning.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,125 reviews
Excellent
572
Very good
421
Average
115
Poor
13
Terrible
4
Nichole
Orlando, FL83 contributions
May 2021 • Family
This was a great short hiking trail to see the Phoenix skyline. From the parking lot, it’s about a ten minute hike up to the Hole-In-The-Rock. There is a small incline, but perfectly doable for children and adults. If you only have a small amount of time to spend in Phoenix or area, I would recommend doing this short hike and watching the desert sunset.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neelee
Seattle, WA144 contributions
Dec 2019
Parking can be a challenge. I don't know why they gated/blocked several parking lots during the holiday season when attendance would be high. They have pathways toward the rock but some people opted to go off path which is really sad because they disturbed the eco-system. Didn't matter there were dozens of signs that said to stay on the path.
We visited on the first sunny day in Phoenix in several days after Christmas. Everyone else had the same idea! Can't imagine walking up to the hole in the rain.
As others have mentioned, the pathway is not paved. Someone in my party, non-hiker, took a minor stumble.
What makes it really challenging is all the little kids trying to push their way up to the hole and get in the way of trying to take a picture. (Note to parents - tell your kids to not push folks, especially us older folks. This is not Disneyland!)
The view is just of Phoenix area. There were a couple of restrooms there. Not clean at all.
We visited on the first sunny day in Phoenix in several days after Christmas. Everyone else had the same idea! Can't imagine walking up to the hole in the rain.
As others have mentioned, the pathway is not paved. Someone in my party, non-hiker, took a minor stumble.
What makes it really challenging is all the little kids trying to push their way up to the hole and get in the way of trying to take a picture. (Note to parents - tell your kids to not push folks, especially us older folks. This is not Disneyland!)
The view is just of Phoenix area. There were a couple of restrooms there. Not clean at all.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brown_Samantha
Kennewick, WA1,829 contributions
Nov 2021
We drove right to the trail head and found parking. People come and go; and even if no spots available, you can drive down the loop and find spots in the 2 overflow lots that are close. Last resort is to park in the far corner of the zoo parking lot, walk a little bit on the road.
The trail is short and easy, until you get to the opening. Be sure to wear some good shoes with gripping soles. You can step right out to the hole for a good view, it has steps so that part is actually very easy. The trail is a loop, you ascend on the right, descend on the left.
Did not spend much time. The view is absolutely stunning. The area is fairly small and always full of people.
The trail is short and easy, until you get to the opening. Be sure to wear some good shoes with gripping soles. You can step right out to the hole for a good view, it has steps so that part is actually very easy. The trail is a loop, you ascend on the right, descend on the left.
Did not spend much time. The view is absolutely stunning. The area is fairly small and always full of people.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MyTravel3
Purcellville, VA52 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
My family visited back in 2012 and decided to go back for another visit. More for a then and now picture of my now 10 year old daughter. It’s a small little hike that takes you up to a hole in the rock. Depending on when you go, it can be a quiet place to sit and look at the view. Overall it’s something to do when you don’t have a lot of time, want to enjoy some outdoor time or when you are going to the zoo.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TwoEurophiles
Beaufort, SC432 contributions
Feb 2020
Pretty easy hike up this lovely red rock formation just outside the Phoenix Zoo is a nice bit of exercise after lunch. Hiking shoes aren't absolutely essential, but wear sturdy one to avoid slipping on smooth and crumbly paths as well. Nice perspective viewing from either direction of the "hole." Plenty of parking, and the park has picnic tables, restrooms and water fountains.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tjbales
Austin, TX248 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Veru unique place. Parking is close, no cost to park or walk the short 10 minutes hike up to the hole in the rock. Does get busy at the top. Good walking shoes a must and balance is needed as some parts are a little tricky. If you are near, take the hour and visit this place and then maybe go to zoo next door.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike X
Chicago, IL3,968 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Despite the huge influx of people to Phoenix this week, this place was relatively quiet still. Lots of parking along route. Not challenging to get up to the hole. Afterwards, head down to go check out the pond and the palm trees.
Written March 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel19711482395
8 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Looks in person exactly as all of the pictures shown here. It was neat to see but nothing amazing, would have enjoyed it more if we could have gotten some decent pictures but there were too many people to even get a pictures of just the two of us. The walk up I would consider moderate and took 10 minutes or so. Decent amount of parking but some of the lots are farther away than others. In the same area as the zoo and botanical gardens, it’s all together in a traffic circle type parking area.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2020worldtraveler2020
Los Angeles, CA1,002 contributions
Oct 2020
Set your expectations accordingly: it's a hole, in a rock. But it's a nice easy hike to the tafoni (see, you learn something every day), around the back of the ridge and through the hole. Views are pretty nice from up there. Make sure you don't park all the way at the Phoenix Zoo as there is closer parking once you find the route to the closer lot.
Written November 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kingofthehill81
Allen, TX275 contributions
Jun 2023
What a beautiful view. When my wife and I were in town for the weekend I told her I really wanted to see the infamous hole in the rock. We arrived late afternoon when it started to cool down just a bit and before the sunset crowd would have arrived. The parking lot is easy to get in and out of and seemed to be plenty of spots available. The hike to the hole is fairly easy if you are wearing the correct shoes. My wife unfortunately did not pack sneakers and hiked in sandals. Their appeared to be a few trails to the top, but it would have been nice if they were a little better marked. The ground was fairly smooth and it definitely was not too challenging. It was really cool to see some of the wildlife in the area as well. We saw several ground squirrels, pretty birds, lizards and some cool cactus on the way up. The view at the top was amazing. There were some "influencers" taking pictures and getting frustrated if you walked in there line of sight, but overall there was plenty of space for the few people up there to enjoy the amazing views. It was great to see the desert and Phoenix from that perspective. I would say this is a must if you are in the area but bring water and be aware of the temperatures.
Written June 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, this is totally safe to walk. It's literally a rock in the middle of parking lot at the entrance of the Botannical Garden and Phoenix Zoo. The walk is from the parking lot and an incline around the rock and your there. So easy, my 1 year old walked it.
Written April 13, 2021
How is the social distancing up here? Debating between going here or South Mountain to watch sunset on my trip, will choose whichever option will be easier to stay apart from people on the trail/at the location
Written January 11, 2021
There’s more than plenty space to social distance. To get a picture in the hole might get tricky around sunset as many for waiting for the perfect shot
Early morning is a better option doing sunrise. Hope this helps!
Written January 16, 2021
Is it free? Is there ample parking?
Written July 26, 2019
Yes free parking, also on a bus route
Written July 29, 2019
Anyone know what's at the top of the rock formation? It's well above the hole, might be a weather station.
Written January 30, 2019
Don't know did not go up that high but I saw some up there and it does not look like there is anything up there. Hope this helps.
Written January 31, 2019
It says the park closes at 7...is the actual rock accessible after that? Sunset isn't until around 7:30 tonight...I don't want to miss it!:)
Written July 26, 2018
I don't see that it would be a problem. There are no gates
Written July 27, 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 20
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing