10 Best Parks in Phoenix
Explore Phoenix’s Most Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Get outside and enjoy the best parks in Phoenix. While some are known for their desert scenery with cacti and red rocks, there are quite a few that break the arid stereotypes with their fish-filled lagoons and picturesque lakes.
Before heading out to any Phoenix park, make sure you’re well-prepared. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, along with some form of sun protection. If you plan on going on a hike, proper footwear is a necessity as well. Once you’ve got the gear you need, all you have to do is enjoy the desert sunshine.
1. Papago Park
A popular park with red sandstone formations
Good for: Families, Adventure, Photo
Papago Park is, without a doubt, one of the best parks to visit in Phoenix. It provides easy access to that iconic Sonoran Desert landscape, filled with red rocks and cacti. Hiking trails wind in between the sandstone buttes, with the short and sweet Hole-in-the-Rock Trail as the favorite of the bunch.
This park also has a pretty fantastic location. After you’ve finished admiring the landscape, make your way to the neighboring Desert Botanical Garden to round out a brilliant day filled with nature.
Location: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Open: Daily from 5 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 602-495-5458
Papago Park
2. South Mountain Park and Preserve
A hike-filled escape just south of the city
Good for: History, Adventure, Photo
While many of Phoenix’s parks are in the northern metro area, South Mountain Park and Preserve is about 20 minutes south of downtown. It has more than its fair share of noteworthy trails sprawled across its 16,000 acres (6,475 hectares), including the Holbert Trail and Fat Man’s Pass.
As you explore South Mountain Park and Preserve, keep your eyes peeled for ancient petroglyphs. Dotted all around, but somehow still hidden, these centuries-old drawings were left by the people of the early Native Hohokam tribe. They make great photos, so bring along your camera, but be sure to avoid touching them as most are very fragile.
Location: 10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042, USA
Open: Daily from 5 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 602-495-5458
South Mountain Park and Preserve
3. Encanto Park
A centrally located park with a mini amusement park
Good for: Families, Adventure
With its towering palm trees, the sparkling Encanto Lagoon, and 2 golf courses, Encanto Park is about as picture-perfect as it can get. Spend your days lounging in the desert sun, kayaking across the lagoon, or enjoying a picnic on the banks.
At the heart of the park lies Enchanted Island, a mini amusement park with a whole host of activities, carousels, trains, bumper boats, and climbing walls. Entry to the amusement park is free, though individual attractions have fees. It’s an excellent family-friendly park.
Location: 2605 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA
Open: Daily from 5.30 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 602-261-8991
Encanto Park
4. Granada Park
Majestic mountain and sunset views
Good for: Budget, Photo
Granada Park has all of the usual amenities, walking paths, picnic tables, and a playground, just to name a few. But what really sets this park out from the rest of the greenspaces in Phoenix is its location.
Set just outside of Phoenix Mountain Preserve, Granada Park has all of the perks of the popular park with none of the crowds. Take in the beauty of the beloved red rock Piestewa Peak or, even better, pair it with the golden glow of sunset.
Location: 6505 N 20th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
Open: Daily from 5.30 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 602-262-6696
Granada Park
5. Margaret T. Hance Park
A multicultural urban greenspace
Good for: History, Photo
Named after Phoenix’s first woman mayor, the Margaret T. Hance Park is really a collection of sites. Within it, you’ll find the Irish Cultural Center, the McClelland Irish Library, the Phoenix Center for the Arts, and the Burton Barr Phoenix Central Library, along with park must-haves like a playground and a splash pad.
But the most popular attraction within this Phoenix park is the Japanese Friendship Garden. This peaceful oasis features calming koi, meticulously pruned bonsai, and small waterfalls that together make you forget you’re in the 5th-largest city in the USA.
Location: 67 W Culver St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +1 602-534-2406
Margaret T. Hance Park
6. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
A railroad-focused attraction
Good for: Families, Adventure
While the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park offers delightful playgrounds, splash pads, and grassy spaces for outdoor enjoyment, the true highlight of this Scottsdale park lies in its impressive railroad-themed attractions.
Begin your adventure at the Scottsdale Railroad Museum, where historic and model railroads are showcased across multiple buildings, captivating train enthusiasts of all ages. After exploring the museum, don’t miss the chance to hitch a ride on the charming Paradise & Pacific Railroad to round out your visit to this unique park.
Location: 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 480-312-2312
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7. Lost Dutchman State Park
Settled at the base of a stunning mountain range
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Head directly east of Phoenix until you hit Lost Dutchman State Park, a 320-acre (130-hectare) gem at the very edge of the Phoenix metro area. This park is right at the base of the stunning red rock Superstition Mountains, and your whole visit will inevitably be centered around this natural landmark.
Spend a day hiking the park’s best mountain trails, like the Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail and Treasure Loop. If you know you’ll want to stay longer than just one day, you can reserve a campsite, but you’ll need to do so far in advance. Slots get snatched up very quickly, and after experiencing this wonderful park, you’ll see why.
Location: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 480-982-4485
Lost Dutchman State Park
8. White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Maricopa County’s largest regional park
Good for: Photo, Adventure
At almost 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares), White Tank Mountain Regional Park is considered to be the largest regional park in all of Maricopa County. Within its bounds, you’ll find hiking trails and biking paths, mountain views, waterfalls, cacti, and petroglyphs.
This Phoenix park is also home to a lovely nature center. Functioning as a visitor center, it’s where you can learn about the park’s plants, wildlife, and trails before heading out on your own outdoor adventure. It’s topped off with a small gift shop, if you’d like to pick up a nature-inspired souvenir.
Location: 20304 West White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, AZ 85355, USA
Open: Daily from 5 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 602-506-2930
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
9. Lake Pleasant Regional Park
A hub for watersports and lake views
Good for: Budget, Adventure
While most people automatically associate Phoenix with the desert, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any bodies of water to enjoy, with Lake Pleasant Regional Park serving as a prime example. Head 45 minutes north of downtown to this water recreation haven, where you can swim, fish, boat, paddleboard, and kayak to your heart’s content.
If you’d prefer to stay dry, that’s no problem either. Simply enjoy the water views with a picturesque hike or picnic. Plus, be sure to keep an eye out for wild donkeys. Even if you may be tempted to feed them a little treat, it’s best to leave them to their own food-sourcing devices.
Location: 41835 North Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown, AZ 85342, USA
Open: Daily from 5 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 928-501-1710
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
10. Chaparral Park
A well-equipped greenspace in Scottsdale
Good for: Families, Adventure
You can’t go wrong with a visit to Chaparral Park in Scottsdale. Across its 100 acres (40 hectares), you’ll find a glimmering lake for fishing, a refreshing swimming pool, and a playground that the kids will adore. It also has its fair share of sports courts and fields, including ones for soccer, baseball, and softball.
Want to continue your time outdoors? The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, also known as the Scottsdale Greenbelt, runs right through Chaparral Park. Lace up your running shoes or rent a bike to tackle the full 11-mile (18-km) trail.
Location: 5401 Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +1 480-312-2353
Chaparral Park
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