Camelback Mountain – The Best Hike in Phoenix

If you’re crazy like us and don’t mind the Phoenix heat and want some amazing views of Phoenix then Camelback Mountain is the best hike in to do in Phoenix. Don’t worry, we went early enough before it got too hot and we recommend doing the same or else you’re asking for a sunburn.

Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon is located near Paradise Valley. It is easily accessible for anyone in and or around Phoenix. Camelback is quite iconic because it truly looks like a camel’s back (hence the name) and you can see it from miles away which is pretty cool! It’s hands down one of the best hiking trails in Phoenix and most locals will agree.

Be prepared to start early and to bring a lot of water! Even though it seems like it’s a short hike (7.7 km / 4.8 miles return). The Arizona heat and the steepness of the hike will exhaust you!

Practical information about Echo Canyon Trail via Camelback Mountain

Distance: 7.7 km return / 4.8 miles return
Elevation: 798 m / 2618 ft. elevation gain
Type: Out and back
Length: 2-3 hours return
Difficulty: Hard (Because of the heat and elevation)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Other related posts

• Seven Falls Tucson – Waterfall Hike
• A Day Trip From Flagstaff to Grand Canyon
• The Famous Horseshoe Bend Hike
• 10 Epic Things to Do in Page Arizona
• Hiking Checklist

Here’s a map of the beginning of Echo Canyon Trail

Camelback Mountain hike is a hard but rewarding one in the Phoenix area

The views at the end are totally worth it. You’ll get to see your surroundings for miles and miles and you’ll see hills that look like anthills once you’re at the peak. The views are absolutely rewarding and there’s a reason why it’s one of Phoenix’s busiest hiking trails.

You meet quite a few tourists hiking up to the top but you also get a lot of locals who do the trail as their daily morning cardio. We even met a guy who claimed to do it every single morning.

It’s quite a fun hike since you’re basically in the middle of the city with neighborhoods surrounding you on all sides. You sort of feel like you’re on top of the world because the desert is so flat and all you see is smaller hills all over the place. It’s very different from hiking in the Rocky Mountains or even Oregon. But very rewarding in its own way. 

Instead of dealing with wildlife and extreme elements you are dealing with the heat and that is something you have to take super seriously. So that’s why we decided to start hiking up Echo Trail around 7 am instead of later in the day like we do with most other hikes. Even though sunset at the top of Camelback Mountain would have been pretty epic too.

We’d definitely rate the hike hard but manageable. You can see in recent years that due to the increase of hikers they have made the hike more people-friendly and have added railings and such in places you’d maybe have to scramble in the past.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s still a hard hike with a bit of rock climbing, but it’s definitely doable for most people as long as you’re ok with the Phoenix heat bearing down on you. 😉

Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trailhead 

There are two starting points to hike up Camelback Mountain. We decided on the Echo Canyon Trail as our starting point since it was closer to our friend (Anna’s) place. The Echo Canyon Trail car park is super convenient because there is a bathroom and water fountain at the beginning of the hike. So you can prepare yourself before climbing up to the top and once you’re back you can drench yourself in water to cool down! 

The second trailhead is Cholla trailhead which we believe is just a car park. So depending on what part of town you come from you can pick whatever car park is more convenient for you. Some people also go from one side to the other and arrange a pick up after. Which is fun too since you get to walk across the whole mountain instead of doing an in and out hike.

We personally recommend starting from the Echo Canyon trailhead because of the way you hike up the mountain – this will give you more shade early in the morning. Of course if you’re ok with getting up that early…which we’re assuming more Arizonian’s do!

Even if it’s for ¼ or ½ of the hike it makes a huge difference hiking in the shade as opposed to being directly in the sun. Either way, the hike is great and it’s at the top of our list of best hikes in Phoenix.

We can’t stress it enough but on this hike, you have to bring a lot of water. On most hikes you should, but Camelback especially. It seems like a quick trip up and down since it can be done in two hours or less (if you’re the local guy who does it daily). But you’re in the desert and the sun can seriously tire you up super quickly. We don’t want you to get sunstroke.

One thing you don’t have to worry about is having the American the Beautiful pass. This hiking trail in Scottsdale is not in a National Park so there is no fee to get in and the parking is free.

Again, there are bathrooms and water fountains at the bottom of the Echo Canyon Trailhead so that’s a good place to park if you plan on doing this hike while you’re in Phoenix or if you live in Phoenix. 

Here is some extra information on the hike if you’d like to know a little more about exactly what you will be getting yourself into. 

Camping in Phoenix

There is camping in Phoenix but we’d definitely recommend getting out of the city and staying in one of the state parks. Somewhere quieter and more peaceful always makes for a better camping experience. So the few camping spots in Phoenix are right on the edge of the city. Still convenient enough to get into town but also away from the city and in nature.

Usery Mountain County Park Campground

Usery Mountain Park is an awesome campground near Phoenix. If you’re looking to stay more in the outdoors and somewhere more peaceful the Usery Campground is the place.

You can actually book online and they have 73 campsites so you should be able to get a spot. It’s only a 40 minute drive from the campground to the Camelback trailhead so it’s not very far for being out of the city.

It’s a lot better than actually camping in Phoenix and you will get amazing views and stunning backdrops of the colourful mountains in the background. Plus there are some amazing hikes in the area as well like famous Wind Cave trail.

Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

This is another campground near Phoenix and not actually in the city itself. The Lost Dutchman has 134 sites and gives you a real dessert feel while still being close to the city. The Lost Dutchman also offers some amazing hikes in the area on top of the beautiful dessert landscape.

From the Lost Dutchman to the Camelback trailhead its roughly a 45 minute drive. So it’s great if you want to go to the city for the day, enjoy some hiking, and maybe get any supplies you need and the head back to the peaceful campsite. You can also book in advance if you want to make sure you’ll get a site.

How to get there

From anywhere in Phoenix:

If you’re in Phoenix then this hike is doable from anywhere in and around Phoenix. Since it’s located in the northern part of Scottsdale you may have to drive a little bit longer depending on what part of Phoenix you’re coming from. Definitely worth the drive to hike up Camelback.

The exact directions for the parking lot are here.

Before you go

Make sure to check the weather and plan accordingly. Either early morning or late afternoon would be great times. Even being up for sunset or sunrise could also be beautiful but then you would have to make sure to come prepared with a head torch or a flashlight. Once the sun sets it will get really dark and it can potentially be really dangerous without any source of light. 

What to bring

It’s most likely going to be very hot outside when you go, it’s Phoenix of course! So anything that can protect you from the sun! 

So bring:

• Bring sunscreen if you don’t want to burn like us. We also weren’t used to the Phoenix heat and blistering sun but who is.
• A camelbak (backpack full of water). Especially if you plan to do the whole hike and spend some time at the time. Remember you can fill it up at the beginning of the hike where the trailhead starts.
• Bring some food you can enjoy along the way. Relax, and enjoy the views with a nice PB&J, trail mix, or whatever you like to snack on while hiking!
• Here is a great list of hiking gear that you may need on a hike!

The summit itself is quite a big area so you will have lots of room to take pictures and enjoy the view. Or even have a little picnic if you want!

Other related posts

• Seven Falls Tucson – Waterfall Hike
• A Day Trip From Flagstaff to Grand Canyon
• The Famous Horseshoe Bend Hike
• 10 Epic Things to Do in Page Arizona
• Hiking Checklist

Other useful info

• This is another great hard hike in Phoenix if you’re looking for more to do.
• This hike in South Mountain Preserve is a great moderate hike.
• You can buy the America the Beautiful pass online if you’re planning on visiting a bunch of national parks this year.
• Scottsdale weather forecast.
• Usery Mountain Regional Park weather forecast (the first campground near Phoenix).
• Lost Dutchman State Park weather forecast (the second campground near Phoenix).

We hope you enjoy this hike in Phoenix as much as we did! Enjoy and stay safe out there!

Have fun!

Dom & Jo

Red White Adventures

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