Papago Park — Attraction in Phoenix

Papago Park is a must see for every visitor and resident alike. I went there for my first time last Sunday and though not crowded as other reviews stated it had enough people and was pleasantly quiet.

I arrived here via public transportation which brought me tight next to the zoo. I was greeted by a gorgeous water front lined with palm trees and grass bringing to mind a view of the tropics. There were lots of ducks almost running coming up to me to say hi, or in their language "did you bring us food today?" I was surprised how people friendly they were and did not show no sense of fear whatsoever. I even saw a few ducks I had never seen before which was pretty cool.

It was quite hot when I arrived so it took me about 30 minutes to get near the rock that houses the hole. I stopped halfway to use the washroom which was surprisingly open, considering the zoo itself was closed. It was also very clean and had plenty of toilet paper for visitors. Upon exiting, I attempted to drink water from the fountain so I could save mine with the ice for the hike, and the water was actually hot; Almost too hot for drinking. Lol. I did not see that coming! My lips felt like Jennifer Lopez's lips looked in the movie Monster-in-law after she ate something she was allergic to. Yep, that hot.

I walked up and about and I kept the driving pathway thought there was no clear walkway. There was a few rest stops with table, chairs, and shelter which is awesome for a picnic during cooler weather.

I kept my eye on the goal which was the hole. It looked closer than it actually was but once I got near there I felt relief. I started my trek upward to make my 10 minute walk but the heat made it challenging. One slope was a little bit to slippy so I had to bend in a crawling position which I once again burnt my hands on the rock which was very very hot. That experienced can be compared to the one thief in the movie Home Alone who touched the heated door knob.😃 Anyone remember that? Best Christmas movie Evaaar! Ok, Papago Park.

Once I got up half way I realized that it was too steep to go up any further and I figured I had to find another entrance. Other people were up there and figured they got up some way somehow but this wad not the way. Based on google reviews the climb was to be 10 minutes, but I did not take heat, slope, hot rocks, and being way out of shape for this climb, into consideration. That sounds like a plan for a gym membership tho'. Nonetheless I was intrigued even with the little sights I could see. Beautiful! Then I nervously Walked down, and at that same point I crawled up, I sat down and drag myself down because the slippery feeling made me nervous.

*While this is not a serious or tedious hike, that even children, senior citizens, and inexperienced hikers can climb, falling even from a short distance would be painful and possible dangerous so I encourage everyone to be careful here.

I went to the the other side of the rock which has plenty of shade and the easiest way to get up to the hole. They should put a sign for people to use that side to get up so they won't do like me.

Nonetheless, I made it up top and gave myself a pat on the back and took some beautiful pictures, and ofcourse wishing I had a professional camera to really give others a view of what I was seeing. My camera did not do this justice.

Anyway, I finished my climb and picture taking and got to the bus stop and was met by a bus immediately. Utilize your google maps if you decide to use public transportation​ for this trip. If you decide to drive, I noticed there were plenty parking for drivers which was actually closer to the ever popular Hole In the Rock.

So, if you ever come to Phoenix, make sure you visit this amazing little cul-de-sac. I mean how cool is that, to have a mountain in the middle of the city? I'd say that is...

I was right in the heart of Phoenix and the only day that I had to explore was the same day that I had the concert (which was my entire reason for wanting to go to Phoenix). Unfortunately, this meant I couldn’t drive more than a half-hour away from my AirBnB, so my opportunities for hikes were pretty bleak. That said, I did make a quick jaunt to Papago Park. This park was truthfully a bit disappointing because it’s highly industrialized without much nature. It was tough to get a single shot that didn’t have a street light, road, or power line in it. This was disappointing but understandable.

It was also considerably crowded, even in the early afternoon on a weekday, so that was a bummer, too. I was practically battling crowds at a few points just to get through, which isn’t really the experience I want when I’m trying to get a solid nature experience. However, again, I totally understand this as it isn’t exactly a secluded park and it isn’t off the beaten path like most parks that I visit when I’m on vacation. I was limited in my options, here, so crowds and signs of human development are all to be expected when I’m under these circumstances.

So, all of that being in mind, this was overall a pretty nice park. It was clean and pleasant, with some nice views of the city and distant mountains. I got a couple of photos, though once again it was hard to get a decent shot here. I wouldn’t come to this park with photography in mind, at least not during the busier times of day, but there were still some decent enough views.

When I return to Arizona in the future, I’ll be sure to book an extra day so that I can go farther from the city to experience the sights beyond Phoenix, as Papago Park just didn’t quite...

Papago Park is an incredible destination for those looking to enjoy the outdoors in Phoenix. My friends and I recently visited with our kids to take them fishing for carp, and we had an amazing time. The park is well-maintained, with plenty of amenities to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

One of the things that immediately stood out to me was the scenery. The park is beautifully landscaped and the natural environment is truly breathtaking. The red rock formations are a sight to see, and the park's diversity of plants and wildlife make it a nature lover's paradise. We were also impressed with how easy it was to park and navigate around the park.

The fishing experience itself was fantastic. The kids had a blast catching massive carp, which was a real highlight for them. The park staff helped us and gave us tips on the best spots to fish. I would also add that the fish we caught were really big and made the kids very excited. It was an experience they'll never forget and we all laughed a lot.

Papago Park also offers a variety of other activities for visitors. There are hiking trails, bike paths, playgrounds and sports fields for visitors to enjoy. There is also a beautiful botanical garden that is worth a visit. We didn't get to experience all the park offers on this trip but we were planning to come back for more.

Overall, I cannot recommend Papago Park enough. It is a fantastic destination for families and friends looking to enjoy the great outdoors. The fishing experience was fantastic and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. It's also easy to find and accessible which makes it easy to visit. We will definitely be back to Papago Park again soon to explore more of what it...