Rock Formation · Arizona
Hole-in-the-Rock (Papago Park)
A natural sandstone window over Phoenix
TypeRock Formation
StateArizona
Best seasonFall–spring (Phoenix summers are brutal)
How to visitFree; short scramble in a city park
A wind-carved opening in a red sandstone butte in Phoenix’s Papago Park, framed by an easy five-minute scramble — and used by the ancient Hohokam to mark the solstices. The city’s favorite free sunset spot.
The shot
The skyline framed through the hole at sunset.
Nearby & worth pairing
- Phoenix
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Tempe
- Camelback Mountain
Plan around it
Access, fees, permits, and tour availability change with the season and the managing agency (tribal park, state park, BLM, or NPS) — confirm current rules and reservations before you go, tread lightly on sacred and fragile sites, and pack out everything you bring.
Build a trip around landmarks like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: