Field guide
Camelback Mountain hike: the Echo Canyon Trail
Plan your Camelback Mountain hike on the Echo Canyon Trail. Find official information on trail difficulty, length, elevation gain, and parking.
Camelback Mountain is recognized as one of the nation's top hiking destinations. This guide covers the Echo Canyon Recreation Area and its primary trail.
The information here is for runners and hikers planning to use the Echo Canyon Trail. It includes details about the route, access, facilities, and rules.
Official facts at a glance
- Type of place
- One of the nation's top hiking destinations
- Echo Canyon Trailhead address
- 4925 E. McDonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018
- Echo Canyon Trail length
- 1.14 miles
- Echo Canyon Trail elevation gain
- 1,400 feet
- Echo Canyon Trail surface/type
- Incredibly steep, very rocky, out-and-back trail that requires the assistance of handrails and other aides
- Echo Canyon Trail difficulty
- Extremely Difficult
- Park hours
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Parking restrictions
- Parking lot often full, entry gate closes when full, no idling or illegal parking on nearby roads.
- Echo Canyon Trailhead restrooms
- Available
- Echo Canyon Trailhead drinking water
- Potable water available
- Dog rules
- Prohibited on all Camelback Mountain trails year-round
- Heat safety warning
- Extreme triple-digit heat and summer monsoon storms can lead to rescues, even for experienced hikers
- Echo Canyon Trail shade
- Very little shade and few places to rest, completely exposed to the elements
Sources: Camelback Mountain (phoenix.gov), Echo Canyon Trailhead (phoenix.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
The Echo Canyon Trail route
The Echo Canyon Trail is an out-and-back route rated as extremely difficult. The trail is 1.14 miles long and has an elevation gain of 1,400 feet.
The surface is very rocky and incredibly steep. The route requires the use of handrails and other aides. It is completely exposed to the elements with very little shade and few places to rest.
Trailhead access and facilities
The trailhead address is 4925 E. McDonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
The parking lot often becomes full, and the entry gate closes when capacity is reached. No idling or illegal parking is allowed on nearby roads. Restrooms and potable water are available at the trailhead.
Trail rules and safety
Dogs are prohibited on all Camelback Mountain trails year-round.
Extreme heat and summer monsoon storms present significant safety risks. These conditions can lead to rescues, even for experienced hikers.
Before you go
- Check the park hours, which are sunrise to sunset.
- Be aware that the parking lot gate closes when full.
- Remember that dogs are not permitted on the trails.
- Note the trail is rated extremely difficult and is 1.14 miles long.
- The trail has an elevation gain of 1,400 feet.
- Potable water is available at the trailhead.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Phoenix. All cities: City running and hiking guides.