Hole in the Rock Arizona

 The Hole in the Rock

When we visited Phoenix, Arizona in January of 2025, I was very hopeful that I'd be able to visit a lot of arches there.  I hoped it would be similar to Moab, but as I did research looking for arches near Phoenix, I came up empty for months!  Finally, a few days before we visited I found this small arch in Phoenix!  It's called Hole in the Rock and it's in Papago Park right next to the Phoenix Zoo.

It must be a local secret because there is no shortage of people aware of and visiting this arch on any given day and time!  My husband and I first arrived at this arch soon after sunset.  We had trouble finding it at first, because we put "Papago Park" in google maps, and it took us to a parking lot.  The correct address on Google maps is:  625 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona.  There is plenty of parking at the site and the trail starts right next to the parking lot.  

When we arrived after sunset, there were a few dozen people sitting in the arch looking at the city lights.  And when we came again the next day during day light, there was probably 100 people there, climbing all over the rocks, sitting in the arch, taking photos near the arch opening.  It was nearly impossible for me to get a photo without people in the arch!

The hike to the inside of the arch is very short from the parking lot.  It is a little bit steep, but very well marked.

Trail from the parking lot

This sign is right next to the trail

The trail is very easy and clear and on an incline part of the time before becoming very steep

Some areas are closed off because they are more dangerous to climb up

I read some articles online about a hiker who fell to his death on the trail to this arch, so staying on the marked trail could be life-saving, even though it is such a short hike.

There is a smaller arch up above, which many believe the Hohokam Native Americans used to mark the seasons and to study the positioning of the sun.

There are steps up to the arch where the trail starts getting steeper.

The smaller opening above the arch

I have not been able to find information about what this smaller opening is called.

Unfortunately, there is some graffiti at the arch

This shows both the upper opening at the Hole in the Rock.  The opening from this side is much smaller than the other side.

My daughter and I at the smaller opening in Hole in the Rock

The skylight window above us

The view from under the arch

Under the arch there are steps leading down to where you can walk around and stand under the arch

When we arrived just after sunset, there were so many people inside the arch enjoying the view

Here is a video of what it's like to climb into the arch:

Hole in the Rock