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Outdoors Arcadia, Papago Park & Camelback

Camelback Mountain

An outdoor spot in Arcadia, Papago Park & Camelback, free to visit and worth about 2.5 hours. Best time to go: Sunrise.

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Why go

The city's landmark peak; the Echo Canyon trail climbs about 1,200 feet in 1.2 miles to a summit over the whole valley.

It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Papago Park & Camelback, alongside 1 activity, 1 place for a drink and 1 place to eat. The closest of our other picks is Camelback Mountain – Echo Canyon Trail, 0.8 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Outdoors · Adventure
Neighborhood
Arcadia
Price
Free
Time needed
2.5 hr
Best time
Sunrise

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Papago Park & Camelback. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Camelback Mountain – Echo Canyon Trail

    Steep, rocky 1.2-mile climb to the city's best summit view.

    Activity · Phoenix · 0.8 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    La Grande Orange

    Arcadia's long-running cafe, bakery and market at 40th Street and Campbell, busy with brunch crowds.

    Food · 2.2 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Postino Arcadia

    The original Postino wine bar, in a converted 1950s post office, known for bruschetta boards.

    Drinks · 2.2 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Rusty Spur Saloon

    Old Town Scottsdale saloon, open since 1951, with live country music.

    Drinks · Phoenix · 2.6 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Arizona Biltmore

    1929 resort influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, built of patterned concrete blocks; it hosted its own NYE party in 2025.

    Stay · Downtown Phoenix · 3.6 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Desert Botanical Garden

    Garden of saguaros, agaves and desert wildflowers set against the Papago Buttes, with trails of under a mile each.

    Sight · 3.8 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Camelback Mountain is a stop on our Phoenix New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More outdoor spots in Papago Park & Camelback

Another curated outdoor spot in Papago Park & Camelback. See the full Papago Park & Camelback guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Papago Park & Camelback run from 65°F in December to 107°F in July; January is usually the wettest month. For Camelback Mountain itself, we suggest: Sunrise.

Modelled monthly averages for Papago Park & Camelback from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Papago Park & Camelback weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Camelback Mountain, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
33.51472, -111.96160
Destination
Papago Park & Camelback, Arizona

Camelback Mountain: quick answers

How much time do you need at Camelback Mountain?

Plan on about 2.5 hours at Camelback Mountain. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Camelback Mountain?

Our pick: Sunrise. Insider tip: Start at first light with plenty of water; parking at Echo Canyon fills fast on Jan 1.

Is Camelback Mountain free?

Yes, we list Camelback Mountain as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Camelback Mountain?

Camelback Mountain appears on Phoenix New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Camelback Mountain to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Papago Park & Camelback.

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Also in Papago Park & Camelback

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.