AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
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Jesse James · CC BY 2.0
Papago Park

Papago Ponds–5k Trail, 3 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 180 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Papago Ponds–5k Trail, 3 sights is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Papago Park near Marlborough Park, AZ. The route passes Papago Ponds and Papago Ponds. It is mostly level, with 180 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,201 – 1,326 ft5.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Zoo Staff Only 33.45227, -111.94721
Nearest town Marlborough Park, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Papago Ponds–5k Trail, 3 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 180 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Elevation 1,201–1,324 ft

Out & Back · Papago Park

Trailhead: Zoo Staff Only · 33.45227, -111.94721

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Transit-accessible: Phoenix Zoo stop 146 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Zoo Staff Only, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftPass Papago Ponds.
  3. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
  4. 300 ftTurn right, heading N.
  5. 100 ftPass Papago Ponds.
  6. 450 ftBear left, heading N.
  7. 0.1 miTurn left onto Hole-In-The-Rock Trail, heading N.
  8. 450 ftTurn left, heading W.
  9. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  10. 250 ftTurn left, heading W.
  11. 500 ftTurn left onto 5k Trail, heading NW.
  12. 1.1 miContinue straight onto Elliot Ramada Loop, heading W.
  13. 500 ftReach Papago Ponds, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  14. 500 ftContinue straight onto 5k Trail, heading W.
  15. 0.7 miTurn right, heading E.
  16. 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
  17. 500 ftTurn right, heading N.
  18. 250 ftBear left, heading N.
  19. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  20. 450 ftTurn right, heading N.
  21. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  22. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  23. 300 ftTurn right onto Zoo Staff Only, heading SE.
  24. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/papago-ponds-papago-ponds-out-back-3-lakes-8-km

Trail surface

77% dirt12% sand3% paved1% gravel7% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.0 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 6:30 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 9 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Phoenix Zoo stop 146 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Marlborough Park, Arizona