Welcome to Travel Tuesday! If you’re in the Phoenix area and want to check out a fun little pitstop with pretty views, look for the Hole in the Rock Trail!
Hole in the Rock Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles (out + back)
Elevation: 32 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: <10 minutes
Trailhead Address: 33.45588, -111.94554
Parking: Free (lot available)
The Hole in the Rock Trail features a naturally eroded rock formation of sandstone — studies have shown that it was used by the prehistoric people of the Sonoran desert as a calendar device.
A different hole in the rock on the way up!
Based on the seasonal movement of the sun across the sky, they were able to tell when the solstices and equinoxes were, which helped to guide them in planting crops + determining dates for ceremonies.
Be warned though that because it is so short and because pretty views and cool photo ops are available here, there will be a lot of people there.
Most of the trail is exposed but when you get to the actual rock, you can definitely find some shade! We went in the afternoon but this would be a gorgeous place to sit and watch the sunset!
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash!
- Are there any popular hikes/pitstops near where you live? The closest one for me is probably Mission Peak!
- This is the last Travel Tuesday of the year! I’ll hopefully be popping in with more adventures next year (fingers crossed), but until then, happy new year!
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GREAT photos! Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. I’ve never heard of this place!
Thank you! <3 I only happened to find it by chance but it was a fun little stop! :]
I love the Hole in the Rock Trail! I love that it’s short but offers great views of the city. Also, my dog isn’t much of a hiker, so I like that this is one she can easily go on with us. Thanks for sharing! :)
Yeah! Gotta love those bang-for-your-buck + dog-friendly hikes! :]!
Farrah recently posted…Hole in the Rock Trail
Hole in the Rock Trail looks like a beautiful place to hike especially if you’re looking for a short trail. Will check it out the next time I’m in Arizona.
Agreed! It was a great little pit stop!
So I totally thought this was “Hole in the Rock Road” in Utah at first, which is known to have some more challenging hikes, haha. This hike sounds a lot easier than that :). Thanks for sharing; we’ll definitely have to check this out if we ever plan a trip out there! Xx Sara
Ooo, I’ll have to check out Hole in the Rock Road the next time I’m in Utah! :P
Farrah recently posted…Hole in the Rock Trail
This looks awesome! We love finding geological formations like this. AND I love that it’s short so we can bring the kids!
Yeah!! We saw a lot of kids on this hike — they were definitely having fun! :P
Farrah recently posted…Hole in the Rock Trail
This hike looks beautiful!! I’ve only hiked in Sedona, so I really want to go back and do some more!
Arizona has so, so many cool places to hike! I’ve been to Sedona a couple times but would still love to go back to do even more hiking!
This looks like a great short, easy stroll to take my family on next time I’m out in Phoenix! Though definitely not on a summer day haha.
Maggie recently posted…Complete Exoticca Review: Egypt Tour 2021
hahaha, totally understandable. I would’ve preferred not on a summer day/afternoon either, but the shade was nice! :P
Farrah recently posted…Hole in the Rock Trail
This sounds like an awesome little hike! I love that it’s short, so it’s great for lots of hikers, but that it also is a great photo spot with good views!
Yep, definitely a great spot for photos and the shade options + some elevation gain make it a little more challenging than a casual stroll through the park! :P
Farrah recently posted…Hole in the Rock Trail
This looks like such a fun trail to take pictures at! Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for stopping by! :] It was a fun little pit stop!
This looks like such a cute local hike – they’re my favourites for sure. I’d never heard of it before.
I love finding little spots like this too! :D
Pinned for the next time that I visit my father-in-law in Arizona. We are always looking for fun things to do and see.
Aww, nice! I hope you have fun there — there’s so much to do in Arizona!
Farrah recently posted…Hole in the Rock Trail
Wow, What a place :) I wish I could be there. Thanks for sharing.
It was a fun mini-stop that got us outside but also out of the sun — a win on all accounts! :P
Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food Tour
Saved for when I visit Phoenix! Thanks for sharing. Interesting rock formation. I love a walk when there is something different about it!
Oooh I love this kind of spot! Easy to reach, cool rocks and amazing views. I totally agree, this would make a fab spot for a sunset picnic!
Josy A recently posted…East Ridge Summit (via Cavell Meadows) – Jasper
If I ever get to go back to Phoenix, I’m definitely planning on that! :P
Farrah recently posted…Seattle Pike Place Market Food Tour
Great find! Love the short impactful hikes!
Same here! Hoping to find more! :]