Camelback Mountain: Guided Hiking Adventure Phoenix
5.0
259 Ratings
Phoenix

Embark on a guided hiking adventure up Camelback Mountain in Phoenix with Mad Desert Trekking. Discover hidden secrets, enjoy breathtaking views, and ensure your safety with experienced guides.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Summit the world-famous Camelback Mountain, standing at 2,707 feet, the tallest and most popular peak in Phoenix, Arizona. With an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, you’ll definitely get your vertical climb in.
Your guide will meet you at the trailhead in the hiking area. Get up close and personal with this incredible mountain. Climb to the summit for a…

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What's Included
  • Sunscreen included
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Snacks provided
  • Cold beverages post-hike
  • Guided by certified professionals
  • Backpacks provided
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Discover the globally acclaimed Camelback Mountain—Phoenix, Arizona’s most visited peak, as you are accompanied by an entertaining, knowledgeable local guide from Mad Desert Trekking. Get a taste of excitement and fulfillment as you conquer Phoenix’s tallest mountain. We are passionate about Camelback Mountain … and we are confident you will share our…

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Location
Echo Canyon Trailhead
East McDonald Drive
Your Mad Desert Trekking guide will meet you outside the Echo Canyon Trailhead building off E. McDonald Drive. Please note that the parking lot is sometimes full and you may have to wait for a parking spot. Uber and Lyft will drop off at the trailhead.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(259 Ratings)
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Wander30811330479
Mar 29, 2026
Fantastic hike - great feeling, great views. Puts life in perspective. - On March 14th I hiked with guide Curtis Whipple for 3 hours in the Sonoran Desert and had a great time. He knew a lot about the desert and had some great stories to share along the way - along with snacks and extra water. He kept me safe and we had a good time. I can't recommend him highly enough. I'll look him up next time we're in the area!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eileensk9918mm
Mar 20, 2026
We Recommend a Guide - I read an article on how it was highly suggested to have a guide on a first trip to Camelback Mountain due to the intensity and difficulty of the hike. We found Curtis through Mad Desert Trekking on Trip Advisor. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed the hike as much as I did without him. He explained what was coming ahead, we rested at the perfect times, and he would show us exactly how to step around some precarious boulders along the route. He gave us valuable hints and tips and took several wonderful pictures as we made our way up and down the mountain. It was nice to have someone knowledgeable to help keep us safe!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Candace
Mar 17, 2026
Great trip, worth every penny! - Thoroughly enjoyed this booking! I didn’t realize this was a private trip when I booked it but it made it much more enjoyable since it could go at our pace instead of trying to keep pace with a group. Our guide Michael was amazing, full of knowledge, patience and an obvious love for the terrain! While my husband and I didn’t feel we could make the second half up to the peak, Michael took our 12 year grandson up and made it a great experience for him. If you get to choose a guide, ask for Michael. I was proud of myself for making it halfway and thrilled my grandson got to make it safely to the top. Thanks Michael!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Abbybn2119uj
Mar 1, 2026
Great guided hike! - My trek was warm but this trail was in the shadow of Camelback Mountain during the morning so it wasn’t bad at all. My tour guide, Curtis, was positive, pleasant, and well prepared for anything I might need. Clearly a knowledgeable & experienced hiker. We made great time but he would have gone any pace I needed. He checked in often to see how I was feeling and dealing with the demands of this challenging hike. Guys, it IS challenging. However, I loved it and the views are amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandritaa8
Feb 25, 2026
Epic Experience on Camelback – Worth Every Penny - I had an amazing experience on this hike! I was in Phoenix for work and arrived a day early so I could explore a bit on my own. I decided to book this guided hike solo, and I’m so glad I did. The description of the hike was completely accurate — it’s definitely strenuous and a real challenge, especially as you get higher up. It truly took my breath away (in more ways than one!). That said, it was incredibly rewarding. My guide, Doug, was absolutely fantastic. He was encouraging, patient, and supportive the entire way up — especially when I started to get tired toward the steeper sections. While you don’t technically need a guide to hike Camelback, having Doug there made a huge difference. He helped me feel confident navigating some of the trickier climbs, and I honestly don’t think I would have made it to the top without him. Doug was also a wealth of knowledge — not just about the trail, but about Phoenix in general. He was easy to talk to and made the entire experience fun and engaging. Reaching the summit and seeing the breathtaking views was the highlight of my trip. Doug even took tons of photos with his own camera, so I now have incredible memories captured from the top. The snacks he brought were a very welcome bonus, too! If you enjoy hiking and are looking for a rewarding challenge, I highly recommend this experience. It was absolutely worth the money and one of the best parts of my visit to Phoenix.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matt
Feb 23, 2026
Camelback Mountain trek with Curtis - Curtis was an excellent guide on our trek to the summit of Camelback Mountain. Curtis provided excellent instruction along with food, water and gloves for our hike. As novices for this type of hike, Curtis was indispensable and provided us with instruction during our ascending and descending of Camelback Mountain. Curtis made the hike really enjoyable. Matt and Laura F.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chestpain
Feb 22, 2026
This is NOT an easy climb! - We used this tour company to climb Camelback Mountain (2/21). Mike Hopkins was our guide. He was outstanding. It was worthwhile to get all the pictures he captured as precious memories. A part of me wonders if we would have turned back without his help. This is NOT an easy climb. Mike is an incredible athlete who runs ultramarathons. Rest assured, if one of us twisted an ankle he would have thrown you over his shoulder and carried you down all the while explaining the different types of rocks during the descent. We appreciated all the history, geography and pointers during the climb. Finally, sorry we went to the wrong start location.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Expedition660361
Feb 16, 2026
Amazing Camelback Hike! - I had such an amazing experience with Mike Hopkins as my guide! He was extremely knowledgeable and kept encouraging me as we climbed Camelback. i had no idea what I was getting myself into lol but he was so patient and kind and funny too! & took AMAZING PHOTOS!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karah384
Feb 15, 2026
Summits and Saguaros - We had a great experience hiking with Doug! We made it to the top with his support and knowledge and had some awesome photo ops along the way. Also learned a lot about the area and hiking. Would 10/10 recommend this hike with this company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brittany_w
Feb 13, 2026
Best hike ever!!! - Mike was an amazinggggg guide! Super fun and just such a great spirit! Happy I had him to cheer me in when i wanted to quit (which was numerous times lol)
Review provided by Viator
Check Availability
From $120
From $120
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
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