Location: Camelback East
Top Things to do in Camelback East
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Top 8 Nature & Parks in Camelback East, Arizona (AZ)
Nearly perfect year-round weather and several impeccably designed championship courses have made Phoenix one of the top golf destinations in the world. But there's more to this mild-mannered metropolis than pristine greens and tee times. The greater Phoenix area also offers visitors an array of impressive cultural attractions. Visit the internationally renowned Heard Museum for an in-depth look at Native American history or peruse the fine collection at the Phoenix Museum of Art. Enjoy a ballet performance at the ornate Orpheum Theater or or catch a concert at the state-of-the-art Comerica Theatre. In addition to golf, the city offers access to numerous outdoor endeavors including rock climbing, hot-air ballooning, desert jeep tours and more. Family-friendly attractions, first-rate shopping, dining and entertainment, and spectacular recreational activities make Phoenix a must-visit destination.
Restaurants in Phoenix
1. Desert Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,787 reviews
Discover the tranquil vibrancy of desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes. Visitors can stroll through five thematic trails to explore the fascinating beauty of the Sonoran Desert, from towering cacti and alluring succulents to brilliant wildflowers and lush trees. Scroll through the Garden's calendar so not to miss festive events and dazzling exhibitions. Delve deeper to learn about desert landscaping, nature art, cooking and wellness and more through the Garden's various adult and children's classes.
Reviewed By TeamRealMcCoy - West Linn, United States
While we visited the Botanical Park years ago, it has really expanded and is an even more fascinating attraction in Phoenix today! We arrived at the park just moments before the next scheduled tour would be held. While we are normally not tour type of folks, we realized we stood to learn many things from a docent-led walk, and we were not disappointed. The docent we had was entertaining and well informed and had incredible props for her talk. You will learn much about cacti and succulents spending a day at this park, but you will learn so much more from a docent-led tour. I should mention the tour does not cover the entire park but just the heart of it. Then you are free to wander and enjoy the many offerings on your own. We enjoyed a snack at the Patio Café mid day, and were very lucky to see roadrunners, a jack rabbit, squirrels, quail, and two of the infamous Arizona javelinas. It should be noted that javelinas can wreak much damage in a park like this, and park staff are attempting to safely trap these and relocate them away from the botanical park. During our visit in January, we were surprised at the number of cacti with prickly pear and succulents with blooms and other plants in full bloom! There are ample benches and chairs throughout the park to sit and quietly contemplate the beauty or simply take a rest. The paths are easily navigated by those on foot, with a walker, or even a wheelchair. There is a marvelous plant shop and a lovely gift shop on the premises. There is a permanent exhibition of Dale Chihuly glass works, a marvelous complement to the nature of the garden, and while we were there, there was an Italian art exhibit, Wild Rising by Crackling Art, featuring more than 1,000 vividly colorful animal sculptures symbolizing sustainability and conservation.
2. Hole in the Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,027 reviews
Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States
Close to the zoo and botanical gardens, this is a an extremely accessible and fun park! And, in early November, there were few people enjoying it. I was especially glad to read interpretation here that the rock had Native astronomical significance. For many it’s a place to scramble. But the picnic facilities, cacti, birds and rabbits I found were most enjoyable.
3. Papago Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 832 reviews
This park offers runners both paved and dirt trails.
Reviewed By kendra612 - Minneapolis, United States
This was a great starter hike. The views were amazing and it is very close to the zoo and botanical gardens. It can get busy at The Hole in The Rock, so be prepared for a crowd.
4. Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Offers more than 23,000 acres crisscrossed with trails.
Reviewed By bpred754 - Phoenix, United States
I have lived in Phoenix my entire life and have never really given much thought about the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Well, that has changed! I hiked to Piestewa Peak, and wow, was it beautiful! It was also a very good workout! I can't believe the amount of hiking that is available in the preserve right in the middle of Phoenix! I definitely recommend checking out the assortment of trails the preserve offers. It is pretty large, so if you need help finding preserve amenities like drinking fountains, restrooms, ramadas, etc., the app, Avem, is very helpful!
5. Camelback Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,520 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Camelback Mountain is to Phoenix, Arizona, what Lake Michigan is to Chicago or the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco or the Gateway Arch is to St. Louis. It is a distinctive feature that is associated with the city. Camelback is a mountain whose English name is derived from its shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. It is a prominent and unmistakable landmark of the Phoenix metropolitan area, located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. It also is a popular recreation destination for hiking and rock climbing. Not to mention photo ops. A cave discovered on the north slope of the mountain indicates that it was once used as a sacred site by the prehistoric Hohokam Culture before they abandoned the area in the 14th century. The mountain features two hiking trails that ascend 1,280 feet to its peak. The Echo Canyon Trail is 1.14 miles in length while the Cholla Trail covers 1.4 miles. Both are considered strenuous with steep grades, requiring a round trip time of 90 minutes to three hours. For rock climbers, the Praying Monk is a red sandstone rock formation on the northern slope that rises about 100 feet. The mountain lends its name to a major east-west street in the Phoenix area called Camelback Road that starts in Scottsdale and goes about 34 miles west past the West Valley suburbs of Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
6. Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By U1811GVlindaw - Phoenix, United States
Love hiking Echo Canyon. It is challenging and gives you a great workout. Much steeper than Camelback and it also includes arm work to climb up in certain areas. Always fun to push yourself to go further each hike.
7. Piestewa Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 706 reviews
Reviewed By txgrl011 - Austin, United States
I hiked Piestewa Peak for the first time this past weekend. We got there right at 6am to beat the heat and the crowds, but apparently 6am is on the later side, as the parking lots were already full, and were got lucky to grab a spot. The hike is a straight incline the entire way up, so if you aren't in decent shape, I would not recommend. Especially not in the hot summer. The views are beautiful however, and everyone is friendly on the trail. It was a great workout! I will say that the trail is very narrow (much more so than Camelback mountain), and you are passing people only a foot away. It made me a little nervous with Covid, so you may want to bring a bandana to put on your face if that's something you're concerned about. Also, please don't be one of those people we saw with no water out there during the summer. The temps were already in the low 90's when we finished the hike at 7:30am! It took us exactly 1.5 hours to complete the hike. (For reference, my sister and I are both 37 years old, in good shape, and went at a fairly quick pace). If you are active and want a great workout with awesome scenery, I would highly recommend.
8. Phoenix Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,984 reviews
Visit the Phoenix Zoo and explore a wondrous world of curiosity, imagination and discovery. For more than half a century, the Zoo and its animals have amazed guests from across Phoenix and around the globe. Whether you are on the lookout for awe-inspiring Asian elephants, on safari to spot the great Sumatran tiger or seeking towering giraffes roaming the savanna - a day at the Zoo offers adventures like no other place in the Valley. With cafes, shops, lush gardens and exciting experiences like Stingray Bay, Giraffe Encounter, Monkey Village, Safari Train, 4-D Theater and many more, your visit to the Zoo will be memorable for the entire family. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nation's largest non-profit zoos, committed to conservation and providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world.
Reviewed By paws0810 - Mesa, United States
Although we visited the zoo a year ago in August when it was way too hot to be at the zoo and I was extremely disappointed it is absolutely beautiful here and a cool crisp 51° seeing all the Christmas lights
