Phoenix Will Restrict Hiking Trails To Enforce Social Distancing

By Scott Bourque
Published: Friday, March 27, 2020 - 4:09pm

The city of Phoenix parks department will be restricting access to popular hiking trails this weekend in an effort to increase social distancing measures, while still allowing access to the city's trails.

Last weekend saw record crowds at popular Phoenix hiking trails, according to Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department spokesperson Gregg Bach. Crowds were large enough to break CDC guidelines on social distancing, which public health experts say is necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The city's most popular trails will be restricted starting Saturday, Bach said.

“(We'll be) putting some traffic controls in place at the parking lots, increasing the visibility of rangers and other staff," Bach said. "We want to make these amenities available, but we need everybody to do what’s safe and be practicing responsible social distancing, so limiting the traffic at these areas will help us be able to do that and better manage that.”

The trails that will be restricted are:

  • Hole In The Rock Trail at Papago Park — the main parking lot will be closed, and access will be limited and monitored by park rangers.
  • Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon Trail) — parking lot entry and exit will be monitored to ensure the trail doesn't get too crowded.
  • Camelback Mountain (Cholla Trail) — will be closed for approximately two weeks to fix rock slides caused by recent rains.
  • South Mountain Park Dobbins Lookout Trail — vehicle access will be controlled on Summit Road.
  • South Mountain Park Pima Canyon Trailhead — parking lot entry and exit will be monitored to ensure the trail doesn't get too crowded.
  • Piestewa Peak Trailhead — parking lot entry and exit will be monitored to ensure the trail doesn't get too crowded.
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