This mountain is located in the heart of Arizona, and as such, is a popular hiking destination. If you’re planning a trip to Camelback Mountain, here’s what you need to know before your hike. You can find Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona. Find the city of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert, and you’ll find Camelback Mountain there. If you’re trying to locate this mountain on a map but are unfamiliar with the state of Arizona, it’s located in the southwestern United States, near California and Mexico.
If you’re a casual hiker who’s looking to experience the best Camelback Mountain has to offer, avoid weekends and holidays if at all possible. The mountain is very popular with hikers, and so you can expect plenty of company on your climb. While this might be bothersome to beginners, more experienced hikers may actually enjoy the extra companionship as they make their ascent.
As you approach Camelback Mountain, as well as look down on it from the top of the mountain, you’ll notice that the rock formations and slopes have a similar appearance to a kneeling camel. In fact, this mountain resembles a “camel” so much that locals had actually named it Camelback Mountain.
Camelback Mountain is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. It is approximately 2,700 feet high and has been a popular destination for hiking and rock climbing for decades.
Echo Canyon Park is the main staging area for Camelback Mountain, and there’s plenty to do. You’ll find drinking fountains in the parking lot and restrooms at the start of Echo Canyon Trail. There’s also an amphitheater where you can see free educational programs during peak months, as well as a visitor center that has information about the surrounding area. Hiking isn’t allowed outside of hiking trails, but there are several picnic areas to enjoy after your hike. If you’re looking for another attraction to visit while you’re here, Papago Park is just up the street from Camelback Mountain and is home to Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo.
There are multiple ways to park for free at Camelback Mountain. If you’re looking for the easiest parking option, go to a big lot near the park entrance. Parking is free in this lot but it fills up quickly. There’s also some limited free parking available closer to the park entrance, but those spots fill up fast as well. Alternatively, you can park on the street anywhere nearby and it won’t cost anything except for taking a few more steps to get to the trailhead (which will probably be good for your quads).
While the Echo Canyon Trail is shorter (1.2 miles), it includes more stairs and steeper terrain, making that route the most difficult of the two. It starts at an elevation of 2,180 feet, gaining 1,280 vertical feet over its duration. The trailhead is located to the west of Tatum Boulevard. Hikers should aim to complete the trail within a couple of hours round-trip; many do it in as little as one hour each way if they’re hiking with no breaks or delays.
Meanwhile, Cholla Trail is longer (1.4 miles) but less steep than Echo Canyon Trail—so although it’s considered moderate in difficulty, it’s not quite as challenging for most people—and adds only about 100 vertical feet over its Echo counterpart’s ascent. Its trailhead starts at an elevation of 2,290 feet and gains 1,180 vertical feet overall from start to end. This trail is exclusively east of Tatum Boulevard; hikers should plan for a total duration anywhere between 2 – 3 hours for this hike round-trip (including time to get there).
Both trails are open year-round with no entrance fee and maybe ascended by hikers age 12 and up (only if accompanied by an adult). They’re also dog-friendly on leashes!
Both are strenuous hikes, with steep climbs and steep descents on rocky terrain. You won’t need any technical climbing skills for these hikes, but you will definitely get your heart rate up! Camelback Mountain has 2 main hiking trails: Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail. While the two trails have different starting points, they both end at the top of Camelback Mountain, so you can take one trail up to the summit and another trail back down. Either way, both are difficult hikes that require a decent amount of physical fitness.
Make sure you’re wearing proper shoes. Don’t go alone. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. And just don’t go if you have a fear of heights, in which case you probably shouldn’t be hiking Cholla Trail in the first place.
After you climb to the summit of Camelback Mountain, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley.
Paradise Valley is a town in Arizona that’s located between Phoenix and Scottsdale. If you’re thinking about visiting this area of the country, it’s good to know that both Phoenix and Scottsdale are located in the Sonoran Desert. Plus, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona!
All three cities have something unique to offer visitors, so it’s a great idea to do some research before you travel here. Take some time to learn about all the things there are to do in these areas before you visit them for yourself!
Like hiking? Pick a day in the early morning or late afternoon, when the temps are cooler and there’s less foot traffic. Pack plenty of water, so that you can stay hydrated throughout your hike. Hike on trails that are not too crowded with other hikers. This will ensure the solitude you need for getting those amazing photos you’ve been drooling ov
