The Hole In The Rock Trail is a must-experience destination for anyone exploring Phoenix, Arizona. Perfect for beginner hikers, families with children, and visitors seeking a quick and rewarding outdoor adventure, this trail offers stunning views and a unique geological formation. If you can handle a short walk uphill, you’re perfectly ready to explore the Hole in the Rock.
Located within Papago Park, the trail meanders through distinctive sandstone buttes. These formations, with their reddish hues and porous texture reminiscent of dried sponges, create a landscape unlike typical desert scenery. Their rounded, steep shapes evoke images more akin to an underwater reef than the arid Arizona desert.
Before embarking on this easy hike to the famed hole, let’s delve into its rich history. This natural window in the rock served as a crucial astronomical calendar for the ancient Hohokam people, early inhabitants of the Phoenix area. Strategically placed markers and boulders within the hole captured sunlight during the summer and winter solstices, guiding the Hohokam tribe in scheduling their agricultural practices. Evidence of this ancient civilization’s ingenuity remains within this rock formation, a testament to their life in the Valley from 450 to 1450 CE.
History lesson aside, let’s get to the trail itself!
The Hole in the Rock Trail initiates with a loop around the base of the butte before leading towards the backside. This initial section is relatively level, providing an easy warm-up. As you reach the rear of the rock formation, the trail transitions to man-made steps, facilitating the ascent to the hole. The path’s generous width comfortably accommodates groups and allows hikers to pass one another with ease. During your climb, you’ll notice a second opening near the butte’s summit, not initially visible from the front. It’s through this higher aperture that sunlight streams into the main hole, enabling the Hohokam to precisely track the solstices.
From a distance, this upper opening might appear as a less distinct cave entrance. However, as you approach, it becomes clear that it’s a passage allowing views straight through the rock.
Upon entering the Hole in the Rock, you’ll find more steps carved into the rock floor, descending slightly to the right and further into the formation. Here, within the hole itself, you can choose your perfect spot to rest, unwind, and absorb the panoramic city vistas.
Fun Fact: Papago Park’s Military Past
Papago Park and its surroundings were once designated as Papago Park Camp, a U.S. Army training facility for desert combat. Later, it served as a prisoner-of-war camp, notably housing German POWs during World War II. In a daring episode known as the “Great Escape” in Arizona lore, German prisoners attempted to escape by digging a tunnel beneath the camp fence. Their ambitious plan involved using a homemade kayak to navigate the Gila River to Mexico. However, upon exiting the tunnel, they discovered the harsh reality of desert rivers – the Gila was dry. Forced to abandon their aquatic escape route, the prisoners dispersed on foot. While some ventured closer to Mexico than others, all escapees were eventually apprehended, marking a memorable, albeit unsuccessful, chapter in Arizona history.
