Phoenix isn’t known for its rock formations, but there is a place that doesn’t follow this pattern. Papago Park can be seen from many portions of the Valley because of the massive red sandstone buttes. This park contains the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix Zoo, and Arizona Historical Society’s museum along with lots of hiking and biking trails. One very short hike takes you up to a natural stone formation called Hole in the Rock. You may recognize this from my post about Pueblo Grande as the geological feature that allegedly lines up with two prehistoric windows during certain solar events.
This is one of the things I did with my family over graduation weekend. The trail is short and not very difficult. It winds around the small rock outcropping and takes you to the back of the hole. Once through this natural window, there is lots of space on ledges to sit and enjoy the view of the Valley expanding below you. To your left is the zoo with giraffes visible in their savanna. Straight ahead is Sky Harbor Int’l Airport with downtown to the right.
The short Papago Park Hole in the Rock hike is accessed via the picnic area of Papago Park at the same turn off as the Phoenix Zoo. It is a lovely hike worth the time.
