Papago Park

Activity Overview

Papago Park is a beautiful urban park located in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. This 1200-acre park is known for its fascinating rock formations and diverse plant life, as well as its many family-friendly attractions.

If you're looking for a place to spend a day in the great outdoors while in Phoenix, head to Papago Park to do activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing, or visit attractions like the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden that are located within the park.

Things to Do

Visit Hunt's Tomb. a white pyramid atop a hill that can be seen throughout the park. It is the tomb of former Arizona Governor George W.P. Hunt and several family members, and features spectacular views of the Phoenix valley.
Take your kids to the Phoenix Zoo. One of its most popular attractions is Monkey Village, the only walk-through squirrel monkey habitat in the entire country! Other highlights include camel rides, the petting zoo, and Stingray Bay, where kids of all ages can touch and feed stingrays.
Explore the trails at the Desert Botanical Garden. In addition to enjoying a leisurely walk, the whole family will be able to see beautiful wildflowers and desert plants as well as learn about animals native to Arizona.

Papago Park Insider Tips

Visitors planning to go fishing in one of the park's lagoons will need an Arizona urban fishing license. You can learn more about the license here. The lagoons are stocked with catfish in the summer and rainbow trout in the winter.
Don't miss Hole-in-the-Rock, one of the area's most famous natural landmarks. The distinctive openings eroded into a red sandstone hill were formed millions of years ago, and were later used by the Hohokam prehistoric group to keep track of the seasons. Today, the area provides amazing views of Phoenix.
Bring along some food to enjoy a family picnic at one of the park's picnic areas! If you'd rather buy something at the park, there are also several cafes located at the Phoenix Zoo that offer a variety of food options.