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    Big Butte Loop

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Easy
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    0.5-1h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    3.5 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    41 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
    Be the first to add a review!
    Directions to Trailhead

    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.

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    Route Description for Big Butte Loop

    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.

    Getting to the Big Butte Loop Trailhead

    The trailhead for the Big Butte Loop is on E Papago Park Road.

    Route Information

    • 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

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