Papago Park050

Beautiful red rock formations dot the 1,200-acre landscape of Papago Park, home to the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, Hall of Flame and Arizona Historical Society museums, and Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The park is a designated Phoenix Point of Pride.

The park boasts some of the most family-friendly hiking and biking trails in the Valley. Trails on the east side of Galvin Parkway have easy access to restrooms and drinking water. The 1/4-mile Nature Trail starts at the ranger station and features interpretive signs describing Sonoran Desert plants and animals. The 1/10-mile Hole in the Rock trail climbs 200 feet to the park's most popular landmark and offers some great views.

West of Galvin Parkway, the 1.2-mile West Park Accessible Trail has an asphalt surface that accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. The first half of the trail is level and goes near the Eliot Ramada - a perfect resting and viewing spot. The second half of the trail has a few slopes that exceed 5% and may be difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. The four-mile West Park Loop Trail is an easy dirt trail that circles around and offers great close-up views of the red sandstone buttes. Families should note that there are no restroom facilities on the west end of the park.

Anglers can hook up at the park's three fishing lagoons. The ponds are stocked over 20 times during the year by Arizona's Urban Fishing Program, recognized as one of the best in the country.

Visitors age 14 and older must purchase a $16 Class U Urban Fishing license or a $12 Class D day pass to fish; children under 14 do not need a license. Anglers age 70 and above, Arizona residents of at least 25 years, and disabled veterans may obtain a complimentary license. Licenses may be purchased at any Game and Fish office, many sporting goods stores, or online at www.azgfd.gov.

Families can enjoy lunch at picnic ramadas complete with water, grills, tables, and electricity. The park's 70-acre picnic area can accommodate up to 1,000 people!

The Papago golf course is considered one of the finest municipal courses in the country. It offers free youth golf classes year-round to kids ages eight to 17. Call 602.275.8428 for more information.

Other park amenities include an archery range, exercise course, softball complex, and orienteering course. Families will need to make several visits to experience all this park has to offer!