Big Butte Loop
View Photos
Big Butte Loop
Difficulty Rating:
Papago Park is a popular recreation area just minutes from downtown Phoenix. The park was a reservation in past years, then a fish hatchery in the Great Depression, a prisoner of war camp in WWII, and a VA hospital. Talk about a storied past! Today, it offers hiking opportunities and access to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens. Zoo and gardens aside, we like big buttes and we cannot lie. The Big Butte Loop explores two of the defining buttes of the park on an easy hike.
Getting there
The trailhead for the Big Butte Loop is on E Papago Park Road.
About
| Backcountry Campground | No |
| When to do | October-May |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | High |
| Route Type | Loop |
Big Butte Loop
Elevation Graph
Weather
Big Butte Loop Description
Papago Park is a recreational and hiking area, a golf course, and an access point for the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens. In years past, it was a reservation, a fish hatchery in the Great Depression, a POW camp, and a VA hospital. Its interesting geology, particularly its erosion-carved buttes, is the focus of the Big Butte Loop.
This hike is rated as easy. The trail is clear, easy to follow, and lined with unique desert plants and cacti. The footing is mostly hard dirt. You’ll be next to the road for part of this hike, so expect a little bit of noise, but it’s still worth it.
From the trailhead, take the trail to your left. Stay left through several junctions as you hike along the side of the golf course. Bear right towards Elliot Ramada, a perfect place to stop and take in the views either now or on the return trip. The Papago Buttes are right ahead of you here, with their dark red coloring and their caves on full display.
Continue around the top of the buttes next to the road. Keep hiking on Big Butte Loop as it leads you all the way around the buttes to the ramada once more. From here, take Double Butte Loop back to the trailhead.
Similar hikes to the Big Butte Loop hike
Palisade to Basalt Loop
The Palisade to Basalt Loop is a short, easy trail in the Deem Hills Recreation Area. This hike is 1.4mi
Two Bit and Rattle Saddle Loop
The Two Bit and Rattle Saddle Trail is a moderately challenging hike in the Phoenix’s Mountain Preserve near Piestewa Peak.…
Ma-Ha-Tauk and Crosscut Loop
The Ma-Ha-Tauk and Crosscut Loop is a moderate hike in Phoenix’s South Mountain Preserve. With pleasant views and not much…
Comments