If you’ve lived in the Grand Canyon State for a significant length of time, then you’ve most likely heard of Papago Park in Phoenix and Tempe. Not everyone knows, however, that this popular destination is one of the most family-friendly activities in Arizona. The park boasts a variety of short and easy hiking trails, including one that leads to one of the most iconic rock formations in the Valley. It’s also just a stone’s throw away from the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden! You could easily spend a whole day exploring all there is to see and do at this underrated locale.

If you’re in search of family-friendly activities in Arizona, you really can’t do much better than Papago Park.

TripAdvisor management Just minutes from downtown Phoenix, this historic locale boasts numerous hiking trails, a zoo, a botanical garden, museums, and several other attractions for all ages.

Most famous for the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock Trail, which leads to one of the most scenic viewpoints in the region, the park is a hiker’s paradise.

TripAdvisor/klutzWestBend The trails are short and relatively flat, making them accessible to almost everyone.

Hole-in-the-Rock Trail boasts a cave-like opening that overlooks lagoons surrounded by palm trees, plus the distant skylines of Phoenix and Tempe.

TripAdvisor/darts389 This trail is just 0.3 miles long, and although it’s almost always crowded, the endpoint is so worth the journey.

Also in Papago Park is Governor Hunt’s Tomb, a pyramid-shaped mausoleum that serves as the final resting place for Arizona’s first governor, George W.P. Hunt.

TripAdvisor/phillygem The governor had the tomb built for his wife, who died in 1931, and he was buried beside her when he passed three years later.

Nearby, you’ll find the Desert Botanical Garden, one of the most beloved attractions in the Valley.

iShootPhotosLLC / E+ Collection / Getty Images Spanning 140 acres, the garden features over 50,000 native desert plants that meld seamlessly into the foreground of the Papago Buttes.

The world-famous Phoenix Zoo - the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the U.S. - is also in the neighborhood.

TripAdvisor/rusticpress Boasting over 1,000 animals scattered across two miles of trails, the zoo has been an Arizona family favorite since 1962.

Address: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

Google Maps Park hours are 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily.

Visit the Papago Park Facebook page for more information.

TripAdvisor management

Just minutes from downtown Phoenix, this historic locale boasts numerous hiking trails, a zoo, a botanical garden, museums, and several other attractions for all ages.

TripAdvisor/klutzWestBend

The trails are short and relatively flat, making them accessible to almost everyone.

TripAdvisor/darts389

This trail is just 0.3 miles long, and although it’s almost always crowded, the endpoint is so worth the journey.

TripAdvisor/phillygem

The governor had the tomb built for his wife, who died in 1931, and he was buried beside her when he passed three years later.

iShootPhotosLLC / E+ Collection / Getty Images

Spanning 140 acres, the garden features over 50,000 native desert plants that meld seamlessly into the foreground of the Papago Buttes.

TripAdvisor/rusticpress

Boasting over 1,000 animals scattered across two miles of trails, the zoo has been an Arizona family favorite since 1962.

Google Maps

Park hours are 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily.

Have you ever been to Papago Park? If so, what’s your favorite attraction in or near it? Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more family-friendly activities in Arizona.

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Address: Papago Park, Phoenix, AZ, USA