Hiking Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale: Stats, Tips & Photos!

Hiking Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale

Want a thrilling hike with quick elevation gain, rock scrambling, and incredible views? Then make sure you hike Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona! At just over one mile one way, the hike quickly climbs, giving you vast views of Scottsdale, Phoenix, and beyond. Hiking Camelback Mountain is one of the top things to do in Scottsdale. In this guide, we share tips, stats, and our full experience, with lots of photos!

What is Camelback Mountain?

Camelback Mountain is a mountain that rises up out of the desert landscape, creating the backdrop of Scottsdale, Arizona. It acquired the name because it is thought to look like a camel lying down.

Camelback Mountain features two trails that reach its 1400 foot summit: The Echo Canyon Trail and the Cholla Trail. Both trails are rated difficult.

How to Hike Camelback Mountain

You have three options for hiking Camelback Mountain. All the trails lead to the same summit on Camelback Mountain.

1. Echo Canyon Trail

DISTANCE: 1.3 miles one way; 2.6 miles total out-and-back

ELEVATION GAIN: 1522 feet

This is what we did. We began at the Echo Canyon Trailhead, hiked to the summit of Camelback, and hiked back down to where we started. The Echo Canyon trail is steeper, although shorter in distance than the Cholla Trail.

2. Cholla Trail

DISTANCE: 1.5 miles one way; 3 miles total out-and-back

ELEVATION GAIN: 1279 feet

This is also an out-and-back hike. Begin at the Cholla Trailhead, hike to the summit, and hike back down the same way you came. This hike ascends at a more gradual pace, but is longer in distance than Echo Canyon Trail.

3. Echo Canyon Trail to Cholla Canyon Trail

DISTANCE: 2.6 miles, point-to-point

ELEVATION GAIN: 1312 feet

This is a point-to-point hike, beginning at one trail and ending at the other. To do this type of hike, you need to plan transportation since you start at one end and finish at the other. A ride share company, such as Uber, works great for this. Another option is Waymo, a self-driving car we saw all over Scottsdale. Your ride will drop you off at one trailhead and then when you finish, you get picked up at the other.

When we went

March 2025. The weather was wonderful at this time of year. It was not too hot yet, which is great for hiking Camelback.

Where we stayed

The Phoencian | Scottsdale

This is a fabulous resort with multiple pools, restaurants, a spa and fitness center.

Our Hike Up Camelback Mountain

Our morning began bright and early. We packed up water and snacks, and had coffee and a light breakfast before heading out to Camelback Mountain.

Getting There and Parking

We arrived at the small parking lot at the Echo Canyon Trailhead at about 7:10 a.m. The overflow lot (at the front of the entrance) was already full. To get to the lot that is closest to the trailhead, you follow the cars in front of you and simply wait for a car to leave and snag that spot. The way it is set up is actually quite fair as there are cones keeping you in your place in line. The front car will just sit there until another car leaves and then they will take that spot. Of course there is no telling how long it will take for a spot to open up. We arrived at 7:10 a.m. and had to wait about 10 minutes to park. It was a good time to arrive as those who hiked at sunrise were on their way down. By 7:20 a.m. we were parked and ready to hike!

A line of cars waiting for a spot to open up in the parking lot

The Climb

At the trailhead there are restrooms and a vending machine plus a covered area for shady rest, if needed.

The trailhead at Echo Canyon | Camelback Mountain

The beginning of the trail is a gentle climb but that quickly changes!

The beginning of the Echo Canyon Trail | Camelback Mountain

Suddenly the trail starts its switchbacks and the elevation rapidly increases.

Looking down at the trailhead and parking lot | Camelback Mountain

We soon came to the first handrail assisted section, which is definitely helpful. Climbing at this part would be difficult without the handrails as the trail was quite slippery with sliding dirt and slippery rocks underfoot.

The views just get more and more incredible the higher you climb. The lighting made Scottsdale and beyond look like a beautiful painted scene.

Now the fun begins! There are a few sections where you have to scramble up the rocks and definitely need to use both hands.

The first of several rock scramble sections | Camelback Mountain

Looking back, the views are incredible! I love using people in photos for size perspective.

Hikers below | Camelback Mountain

The views unfolding kept getting more magnificent. At this point, we had vast views of the city of Phoenix and beyond.

The last scramble up was tough. Not only were our legs exhausted but it was a near vertical ascent.

A view of the final ascent…as well as someone who skipped the trail for climbing the rock face!

Tiny hikers below | Camelback Mountain

Just one more rock scramble to reach the top…we are almost there!

Final Ascent | Camelback Mountain

Finally, we reached the summit! The panoramic views up here are incredible. But even better than the views is the great accomplishment of having completed this climb!

View from the top! | Camelback Mountain

The way down was tricky, as well. Yes, we were no longer exerting ourselves like we were on the way up, but several areas needed both hands to scoot down rocks.

The descent | Camelback Mountain

I’ll reiterate this here: wear hiking shoes or shoes with good grips. So many people wore just regular running shoes and they were slipping quite a bit. Even Mike who prefers to wear running shoes to hiking shoes admitted it would be been much more difficult without the traction on his hikers.

We arrived back down at the trailhead, having completed the round trip hike in 2 hours 20 minutes. We stopped quite a bit, both for short rest breaks and for photos. And the way down we had to go slow to make sure not to slip.

On the day we were there, 1st Phorm was in the parking lot selling made-to-order protein shakes. Lots of people were getting their post-hike snack, Mike included!

Here is a recap of our hike from the AllTrails app we use when hiking. You can see how the hike takes you up along the ridgeline of Camelback Mountain.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

It is imperative to have shoes with good grips. Many areas are slippery due to the large granite boulders or sandy parts of the trail.
Arrive early. When we went it was late March and on a Saturday morning, a popular time to be in Scottsdale as it is spring break season. We pulled into the lot at 7:10 am and had to wait about 10 minutes for a spot to open. Getting here early is key, not just from a parking perspective but the lot could be closed as well. As we were leaving, they had a sign out at the entrance of the lot saying that the trail was closed to new hikers due to a rescue. Apparently, someone needed a rescue down from the montain so they closed the lot to new hikers.
Consider a ride share, such as Uber or even the self-driving vehicles we saw all over Scottsdale, Waymos. This eliminates the need to search and wait for a parking spot.
Trekking poles are nice to have in the beginning as well as the descent but I suggest putting them away during the rock scramble portions when you need two hands.
Bring more water than you think you need. We each had a large reusable water bottle and carried an extra disposable water bottle per person. We went through all of our water during the entire hike and refilled at the refill station at the trailhead, adding our LMNT salts to it to replenish our electrolytes and salts.
Know your limits. This is a tough hike and is rated extremely difficult for good reason. There is a lot of scrambling you have to do and the quick increase in elevation gain makes it a hard hike. You can go a short distance, take in the views, and head back down if it gets to be too much. Apparently rescues happen here quite a bit, so don’t push yourself beyond your capabilities.

OUR PACKING LIST

Here is our packing list for Arizona:

Our go-to hiking backpacks are Osprey brand. They are very lightweight and comfortable and carry all our essentials. You can find the backpacks in a variety of colors and capacities.
Camelback water reservoirs are a must when hiking.
I really like these Black Diamond trekking poles. These fold up and are lightweight, especially great for packing when traveling and taking along on hikes.
No hike should be without a mini first aid kit!