What’s The Average Time To Hike Camelback Mountain? (3 Affecting Factors)
Looking For Info On How Much Time It Takes On Average To Do The Camelback Mountain Hike In Scottsdale, Arizona?
As a former Arizona resident (I lived in Scottsdale for 12+ years), I’ve hiked Camelback Mountain myself and I’ve gone with a friend who is a Camelback expert (she hikes it regularly) that’s hiked the mountain with a number of hikers with skills ranging from beginner to advanced, and while the average time to hike Camelback Mountain is around one hour to summit (two hours total), how long it takes can depend on a number of factors like personal fitness levels, weather conditions, and crowds (which I’ve outlined with more details down below).
💪 Average Camelback Mountain Hike Time: Fitness
The hike up Camelback Mountain (via Echo Canyon Trail) is fairly short in distance (it’s only 2.6 miles), but it’s very steep (it rises to an elevation of 2,704; steep bouldering towards the top pictured above) so it isn’t quite as easy as it may sound.
Because this hike is such a popular “tourist attraction” and it’s conveniently located in the middle of town, many people think they can just show up for an easy desert walk, without much preparation (many tourists even show up here wearing sandals).
Even with good fitness levels, the Camelback Mountain hike is strenuous (I exercise regularly but my legs were still very sore), though I did watch hikers run to the top in as little as 17 minutes. I made it to the top in 45 minutes, while my hiker friend said she’s hiked with others that took two hours to get to the top and even some that couldn’t make it to the top.
🥵 Average Camelback Mountain Hike Time: Weather
You can technically hike Camelback Mountain anytime of year, but the summer months will definitely affect the average time it takes to get to the top because of the scorching summer heat.
My last Camelback Mountain hike was during the month of May (full on summer season in Arizona), but to avoid the heavy sun and hottest temperatures of the day, I started my hike at 4:45 in the morning and was even shaded by the mountain on most of my way back down.
Hiking anywhere during midday to early afternoon in Arizona during the summer months is highly discouraged, but if you choose to do so, know that the intense heat, frequent and necessary water breaks, and attempts to rest in the shade (there aren’t many spots for this on Camelback) will slow you down and increase the average time it takes to get to the top.
👨👩👧👦 Average Camelback Mountain Hike Time: Crowds
The Camelback Mountain hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas due to its convenient location, 360° views of the valley, and the feeling of accomplishment you get when reaching the top of a mountain many can’t reach (and sometimes even have to be rescued from).
Because of its popularity, Camelback Mountain is almost always busy (which leads to parking problems) no matter what season it is. When I hiked in May, there was only a handful of people there at 5:00 am, but on my way back down (around 6:30), there were lines of people waiting to hike and boulder up the mountain.
It’s no fun to be stuck in a line of people while trying to hike, so going early during the summer months helps with both heat and crowds, while going early during the winter months is very essential to avoid really large crowds and lessen the average time it takes to reach the top.
ℹ️ Tips For Your Camelback Mountain Hike
- Do leg and incline exercises before the hike to help prepare
- Wear light colors, a hat, and closed toed shoes with good traction
- Bring and drink lots of water (like way more than you think)
- Eat enough for energy, but not too much to feel sick with the extreme exertion required on Camelback
- Camelback is not dog-friendly (in fact dogs should be left at home for most Arizona hikes, especially in the summer)
- For beginner hikers or those not comfortable hiking alone, go with an expert Camelback guide to ensure your safety (or a meetup group)
- Check the video I made here for a visual of Camelback
🔁 Sum Up: Average Camelback Mountain Hike Time
The average time it takes to hike Camelback Mountain is typically around 1.5 to 2 hours total, but there are a number of factors like fitness levels, weather conditions, and crowds that can greatly affect those times. I suggest starting the hike early in the morning to avoid the crowds and heat (in both summer and winter), wearing proper clothing and footwear (closed toed shoes only), and preparing with some incline exercises before going to help make the steep hike not so bad.
