Camelback Mountain

Camelback gets its name and its fame from its shape. From the right angle, the mountain resembles a camel resting on its knees, with a rounded hump to the east and a lower head and neck to the west, joined by a saddle. The two ends are made of different rock: the head is red sandstone, sculpted into cliffs and hollows, while the hump is older granite, giving the mountain a two-part character.

That distinctive silhouette has made Camelback the defining landmark of the Phoenix skyline, a natural compass point recognized by everyone in the valley. The red sandstone of the head, weathered into caves and rounded forms, is especially striking, glowing warm in the low light of morning and evening above the surrounding neighborhoods.

Two summit trails climb Camelback, and neither is easy. The Echo Canyon trail, on the north side, is short but brutally steep, gaining elevation fast over bare rock, with sections where handrails and scrambling are needed to haul yourself up. The Cholla trail, approaching from the east along the mountain's ridge, is a bit longer and starts more gently before turning to steep rock near the top.

Both trails demand fitness, sure footing, and care, and both funnel hikers onto rocky scrambles where hands are as useful as feet. There is no gentle way up Camelback, which is part of its appeal to those who climb it. The mountain sees enormous numbers of hikers, and rangers and rescuers stay busy, so honest self-assessment matters. But for those prepared for the effort, the climb is exhilarating.

The payoff for the hard climb is a truly panoramic summit view. From the top of Camelback, the entire Valley of the Sun spreads out in every direction, the vast grid of Phoenix and its neighbors, the ribbons of freeway, and the surrounding desert mountains rising beyond the city's edge. Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the distant ranges all lay themselves out below.

It is a view that captures the strange character of the place, a huge modern city set in raw Sonoran Desert, ringed by mountains and washed in intense light. At sunrise the valley glows soft and pink, and at sunset the desert peaks turn gold. Standing on the summit, catching your breath after the climb, you get the whole sweep of it at once.

Camelback's greatest oddity is its setting. This is a genuine desert mountain, complete with steep trails, cliffs, cactus, and wildlife, entirely surrounded by one of the largest cities in the country. Upscale neighborhoods and resorts climb its lower slopes, yet the peak itself remains wild and rugged, a preserved island of desert in the urban sea.

That accessibility is a large part of why the mountain is so beloved and so busy. Residents can leave home and be scrambling up a real mountain within minutes, and visitors staying at the valley's resorts find a serious hike on their doorstep. Camelback embodies the particular appeal of Phoenix, a city where the desert wilderness is never far away and, in this case, rises right up in its midst.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.