Trail Name: Hole in the Rock
Location: Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona
Distance: 0.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Rating: Easy
WheelChair Friendly: No
One of the most popular urban hikes in Phoenix and Tempe cities. A slight election will take you to the natural formed hole in the sand butte. It is the most prominent landmark in Papago Park and carries evidence that the prehistoric Hohokam Indians settled in this area thousands of years ago and used and recorded the position of sunlight shining through the latter opening to mark the seasons—notably the equinoxes and the solstices, which were marked by carving a slick area (metate) in the rock.
The Hole-in-the-Rock Trail is a very short natural dirt and step path that wraps around Hole-in-the-Rock Butte to a large viewing hole in the butte. This short trail wraps around Hole-in-the-Rock Butte to a large wind eroded hole. This very popular trail guides users to a large hole in the butte where visitors can look over the Phoenix metropolitan area. The portion of trail along the backside of the butte incorporates a series of steps.
Sunset from the hole is the popular recreation activity from this park.
Happy Hiking & Exploring!