Venturing out of Southern California with Hiking Baby in tow, we went to Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, and explored some baby carrier and stroller friendly hikes/walks.
Luckily the weather was still cool in Arizona (~50-65 degrees were the daytime highs in late February), and due to the dry climate we drank lots of water while out on our adventures to avoid dehydration.
Do you have some favorite easy hikes in the Phoenix area that you’d recommend? Please share your comments below, and read on to hear about the two highlights of our trip.
Papago Park
Papago Park is a wonderful place to enjoy some easy hiking in Phoenix and Scottsdale, with lots of paved areas and well maintained dirt trails. There are 1200 acres of park and recreation areas, and it is so vast that it lies in three cities: Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. As seen in the pictures, there is a beautiful mountain “hole” formed by millions of years of water erosion, known as “Hole in the Rock”. Following a very short hike up the back of the rock formation, you can gaze through the “hole” and enjoy spectacular views of downtown Phoenix, as well as the peaceful duck ponds at Papago Park. Moreover, there is major archaeological significance because the ancient Hohokam Indians marked areas in the “hole” to track the equinoxes.
How to get there:
Papago Park, Hole in the Rock.
625 N Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Parking is free.
Fairmont Princess – Hotel Gardens
If you’re in the mood for a relaxing walk through beautiful grounds, then you’ll want to stop into the Fairmont Princess Hotel, and check out the lushly landscaped gardens. The best part…it’s free!
How to get there:
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
7575 E Princess Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Parking is free (if you park your car yourself and skip Valet).
Happy trails!
These places offer some trails which cannot be seen elsewhere! Very motivational post!
I have been to Papago Park as well, and the view from the top is breathtaking! Thanks for sharing your trip Hiking Lady. It’s always fun to see what adventure you and the Hiking Baby are up to.
Thanks for the tip, Deborah! I’ll check it out next time I’m in Arizona 🙂
We love the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Phoenix, especially the Lost Dog Wash trail in the early morning.
This hike looks fantastic, the rock formations in the hole-in-the-rock at Papago Park remind me of the You Yangs in Victoria, Australia.
Looks like so much fun! Were you able to take a stroller up to Hole in the Rock?
I really look forward to making it out to Hole in the Rock the next time I am in Scottsdale. The crisp desert air is so refreshing! Your baby looks like he was staying warm and toasty in that soft jacket 🙂
Yes, it is a lot of fun to hike with a baby, Dodger Fan! Especially the Hiking Baby! He loves the outdoors thankfully 🙂
WOW!
Hiking with a baby must be a real treat. Thank you for sharing with us and the Fairmont gardens look like a great place to chill out.
Papago Park looks cool! Great photos of the hold in the rock.
This is a good time to go to Arizona with the beautiful weather.
Hiking Baby certainly looks relaxed. With those views who wouldn’t be?
Thanks for sharing:)