Camelback Mountain

Echo Canyon and Cholla follow the changing daily daylight window shown by the City of Phoenix rather than fixed year-round clock times. Gates, construction, extreme-heat restrictions, rescues, and weather can close access.

Echo Canyon has a small lot that frequently fills and closes its gate; waiting or idling on McDonald or Tatum is prohibited. Cholla has no designated lot and only limited legal parallel parking and rideshare drop-offs.

Choose Echo Canyon at 4925 East McDonald Drive or Cholla from Invergordon Road. They are not interchangeable parking areas and there is no shuttle across the mountain.

Echo Canyon has restrooms and potable water at the trailhead. Cholla trailhead information warns that facilities and water cannot be relied upon; arrive self-sufficient.

Trail access is free. Transportation, parking violations, guided services, equipment, and emergency consequences are not.

Both summit routes are rated extremely difficult with steep gain, uneven rock, exposed scrambling, and no accessible summit route. The base facilities do not make the trail accessible.

Dogs are prohibited year-round on every Camelback Mountain trail, regardless of leash, temperature, size, or hiking experience.

These are not casual family walks. Only capable, prepared older participants should attempt the summit; families seeking easy red-rock scenery should choose Papago Park.

Rideshare can avoid parking pressure but pickup staging is limited and may be redirected. Do not depend on phone service or an immediate ride after sunset.

Cholla Trail is scheduled to close August 10-21, 2026 for construction. Both routes are extremely difficult, trails close 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. during Extreme Heat Warnings, and rescues are common; turn around before half your water is gone.

Check Phoenix's hourly temperature and heat index, National Weather Service Extreme Heat Warnings, trail restrictions, air quality, lightning, monsoon storms, flash-flood risk, and current park notices. Exposed rock, metal, pavement, play equipment, and pet paws can reach dangerous temperatures long before afternoon.