Our Favorite Outdoor Activities
Take advantage of being outside in the Arizona Fall, Winter and Spring! Here are some of our favorite outdoor places to play and hike!
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is not your everyday park. Think of it as half park, half amusement park. Take a ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad and the antique carousel. Visit a variety of shops and museum or play in one of the spacious playgrounds. Along with these cool activities are ramadas, tables, lots of grassy area and plenty of trees providing shade for a picnic or just a nap. Need a place to have a birthday party...ramadas can be rented out to private parties. There is so much to do that it will keep you and your children amused for hours! Addmission is free and rides are only $1, plus children under 3 ride free with a paying adult! Visit their website for event and visitor information.
Open 363 Days a Year!
480-312-2312
7301 East Indian Bend Rd
Scottsdale, Arizona 85250
Camelback Mountain Trails
Camelback Mountain is one of the Valley's most popular and beautiful landmarks. What better way to see its beauty then by hiking the back of the camel! There are several trails to choose from based on length, elevation and difficulty. Enter at Echo Canyon Parkway just east of Tatum Boulevard off of McDonald Drive. Parking is extremely limited at this trailhead and waits for a spot on weekends can be substantial. For more information visit Phoenix.gov. Please also view Hiking Safety Information.
Bobby’s Rock Trail
Length: .25 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Difficulty: easy
This trail follows the Echo Canyon summit trail out of the parking lot. At the bottom of the first set of steps, it veers to the right. There will be a trail post that shows where to turn for Bobby’s Rock. This area is open sunrise to sunset.
Ramada Loop Trail
Length: 1/8 of a mile
Elevation gain: about 100 feet
Difficulty: easy
This is an easy trail that loops around the upper ramada at Echo Canyon. Take the main summit trail up to the 1/8 mile marker and turn right. After looping around a small ramada and butte, the trail heads back toward the parking lot. This area is open sunrise to sunset.
Summit Trail (Echo Canyon)
Length: 1.2 miles one way
Elevation gain: 1,264 feet (summit is 2,704 feet)
Difficulty: Strenuous and difficult
This is a very strenuous trail recommended only for experienced hikers. The trail ascends through some spectacular sandstone rock formations and offers unparalleled views from the summit of the greater Phoenix area. The Echo Canyon area is open sunrise to sunset.
Cholla Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous and difficult
Parking is available on Invergordon/64th Street near Cholla Lane. There is no trailhead parking and street parking is very limited. Hikers must park on Invergordon and walk up the south side of Cholla Lane. Dropping off hikers on Cholla Lane is prohibited.
This trail is recommended only for experienced hikers. There are steep, rocky sections with drop-offs on both sides. From Oct. 1 to April 30, the Cholla Trailhead is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From May 1 to Sept. 30, the hours are 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.