Camelback Mountain

Two steep, fully exposed routes to Camelback's 2,704-foot summit in the middle of Phoenix, both rated Extremely Difficult by the City.

Camelback rises out of the neighborhoods between Phoenix and Scottsdale, and the City calls it one of the nation's top hiking destinations. Echo Canyon, from the north side, is the shorter and steeper of the two routes; near the top the trail gets hard to follow and some sections are climbing rather than hiking. Cholla comes up the east end from Invergordon Rd, and its upper third is a steep boulder field; the City suggests tired hikers turn around at the saddle rest area. Neither route has shade, both close on Extreme Heat Warning days, and dogs aren't allowed.

Parking

In winter and spring the lot is typically full from late morning on weekdays and all day on weekends; the gate closes when it's full, and idling on McDonald Dr or Tatum Blvd is ticketed.

Trailhead: Echo Canyon Trailhead.

Fee

Free

Dogs

No dogs

Shade

Minimal

Hazards

• The City of Phoenix closes this trail 8a–5p on Extreme Heat Warning days.
• Near the top the trail gets hard to follow, and some sections are climbing rather than hiking.
• The City says it's common for capable, prepared hikers to need rescue crews here.

Best months

1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D

October to April, when the average high in Phoenix is under 90°F.

Trail map

Camelback Mountain trail map · City of Phoenix (PDF)

Sources

5 sources · last verified Sep 24, 2026. Report a change

Photo: J. Miers (Jtesla16, Wikivoyage) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Where each fact comes from

• Camelback Mountain trail map — City of Phoenix (PDF) checked 2026-09-27
• Camelback Mountain — City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation checked 2026-09-24
• Camelback Mountain Trails — City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation checked 2026-09-24
• Camelback Mountain Parking — Adventure Evermore (updated 2026-02-14) checked 2026-09-24
• Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-09-24

Two steep, fully exposed routes to Camelback's 2,704-foot summit in the middle of Phoenix, both rated Extremely Difficult by the City.

Camelback rises out of the neighborhoods between Phoenix and Scottsdale, and the City calls it one of the nation's top hiking destinations. Echo Canyon, from the north side, is the shorter and steeper of the two routes; near the top the trail gets hard to follow and some sections are climbing rather than hiking. Cholla comes up the east end from Invergordon Rd, and its upper third is a steep boulder field; the City suggests tired hikers turn around at the saddle rest area. Neither route has shade, both close on Extreme Heat Warning days, and dogs aren't allowed.

Parking

No lot. Parallel parking only in the designated sections on the west side of Invergordon Rd, then a gravel path along Cholla Ln to the trailhead; cars parked elsewhere are towed.

Trailhead: Cholla Trailhead.

Fee

Free

Dogs

No dogs

Shade

Minimal

Hazards

• The City of Phoenix closes this trail 8a–5p on Extreme Heat Warning days.
• The upper third is extremely steep, strewn with boulders and hard to follow; the City advises tired hikers to turn around at the saddle rest area.

Best months

1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D

October to April, when the average high in Phoenix is under 90°F.

Trail map

Camelback Mountain trail map · City of Phoenix (PDF)

Sources

5 sources · last verified Sep 24, 2026. Report a change

Photo: J. Miers (Jtesla16, Wikivoyage) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Where each fact comes from

• Camelback Mountain trail map — City of Phoenix (PDF) checked 2026-09-27
• Camelback Mountain — City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation checked 2026-09-24
• Camelback Mountain Trails — City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation checked 2026-09-24
• Camelback Mountain Parking — Adventure Evermore (updated 2026-02-14) checked 2026-09-24
• Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-09-24