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Activity Papago Park & Camelback

Phoenix Zoo

An activity in Papago Park & Camelback, moderately priced ($$) and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: After dark.

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Phoenix Zoo in Papago Park & Camelback
Photo: Jedijoe82 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · license

Why go

Zoo in Papago Park whose ZooLights season ran from late November to mid-January in 2025-26.

It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Papago Park & Camelback, alongside 2 outdoor spots, 1 place for a drink and 1 place to eat. The closest of our other picks is Hole-in-the-Rock, 0.4 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Activity · Nature
Neighborhood
Papago Park
Price
$$
Time needed
2 hr
Best time
After dark

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Papago Park & Camelback. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Hole-in-the-Rock

    Sandstone butte with a natural opening, reached by a short trail, looking out over Phoenix and the zoo.

    Outdoors · 0.4 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Desert Botanical Garden

    Trails through saguaros, cacti and wildflowers from deserts worldwide.

    Outdoors · Phoenix · 0.7 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Desert Botanical Garden

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

    Sight · 0.7 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Rusty Spur Saloon

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

    Drinks · Phoenix · 3.1 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    La Grande Orange

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

    Food · 4.4 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Camelback Mountain

    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.

    Outdoors · 4.4 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

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

More to do in Papago Park & Camelback

Phoenix Zoo is our only activity pick in Papago Park & Camelback; here is what else we recommend there. 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 Phoenix Zoo itself, we suggest: After dark.

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 Phoenix Zoo, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
33.45250, -111.94930
Destination
Papago Park & Camelback, Arizona
Website
phoenixzoo.org

Phoenix Zoo: quick answers

How much time do you need at Phoenix Zoo?

Plan on about 2 hours at Phoenix Zoo. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Phoenix Zoo?

Our pick: After dark. Insider tip: ZooLights tickets are timed; the evening of Jan 1 is quieter than the week before Christmas.

Which TripsCircle routes include Phoenix Zoo?

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

Add Phoenix Zoo 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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Plan Papago Park & Camelback

Lists & regions

Also in Papago Park & Camelback

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