What should you bring on a Camelback hike? Plenty of water, shoes with real grip, sun cover and a phone, and not much else. Camelback Mountain sits right in the middle of Phoenix, close to Arcadia, and it is one of the most recognizable climbs in the Valley. It is also steep and rocky, and it gets hot fast. Pack light, start early and carry more water than you think you need. Here is the list we use for a weekend morning on the mountain.
What to bring on a Camelback hike
Camelback is not a long day, but it is a hard one. You use your hands on the rocks, you climb more than you walk, and there is no shade to speak of. So the list is short and every item earns its spot.
- Water, and more of it than feels necessary. Carrying water and drinking regularly is the standard advice for anyone hiking in Arizona. Bring enough for the way up and the way down.
- Shoes with grip. Trail shoes or sturdy sneakers with a good sole. The rock gets smooth and slick where so many people have stepped.
- A small pack or a hip belt. You want both hands free for the scrambling sections.
- Sun cover. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun hits the whole mountain, even early.
- A charged phone. For a map, a photo at the top and a call if you need one.
- A light snack. Something simple for the summit or the walk back to the car.
What to leave in the car: anything heavy, anything you would hate to drop, and the cooler. That last one is for later.
Start early, and check the forecast first
Locals climb Camelback at first light for a reason. The cooler part of the day is short in Phoenix, and on the rock it disappears quickly. Even in fall and spring, a late start can turn an easy weekend plan into a hot, slow descent.
Before you go, look at the forecast from the National Weather Service in Phoenix. On heat warning days, follow their guidance, and the guidance from the City of Phoenix, which posts trail updates. The CDC heat and health pages are the place for real heat safety information. We make water. We are not the ones to give medical advice.
Water on the climb, explained simply
Arizona air is dry, and on a climb like this you sweat more than it feels like you do. Sweat carries out water and some electrolytes, so people who are active or outdoors in the heat often pay closer attention to both. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium are minerals the body uses to help maintain fluid balance. If you want the plain version, our piece on electrolyte water in Phoenix covers it, and simple habits for Arizona heat goes through a full day.
On the mountain itself, the habit that works is a rhythm. Drink before you leave the parking lot. Take a few sips at each flat spot. Drink again at the top before you turn around, because the way down takes longer than people expect and your legs are tired by then.
The cooler in the car
This is the part of the morning we look forward to. Leave a small cooler in the trunk with ice and a few cold cans. When you get back down, everything you carried is warm, and a cold can is waiting.
That is the moment ROCK was built for. It is natural spring water with minerals and electrolytes, 0 sugar, 0 calories and nothing artificial, in a 12oz aluminum can. Cans chill fast, pack tight in a cooler and do not crack in a hot trunk. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, so the empty goes in the bin at home instead of a landfill. We will never use plastic.
Brett Yanofsky started ROCK in Scottsdale because he could not find a water brand he actually connected with. He is an athlete, a traveler and a creator, and most canned options did not reflect how he lives. You can read the rest on our story page.
"Nothing is more basic to the quality of life than the quality of the water you drink."
After the hike: the rest of the weekend
Once you are down, the morning is still young. Arcadia is right there for breakfast. Old Town Scottsdale is a short drive east. If Camelback is busy, Piestewa Peak, Papago Park and South Mountain Park and Preserve are all close, and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale has longer, gentler trails. Same list applies on all of them.
If you want ROCK in your own cooler, still water is on presale right now and orders placed today ship in January 2027. A 12-pack is $34 one time, or subscribe and save 30% for $23.80 a 12-pack, with deliveries every 2 weeks, every month or every 2 months. Skip, pause or cancel anytime. Everything is on the shop page.
Start early. Carry more water than you think. Keep something cold in the car. That is the whole plan for Camelback.
Questions
What should I bring to hike Camelback Mountain?
Bring plenty of water, shoes with good grip, a hat and sunscreen, a charged phone and a light snack. Keep your hands free, since parts of the climb are a scramble over rock.
What time should you hike Camelback in Phoenix?
Start as early as you can, ideally at first light, because the mountain has little shade and heats up quickly. Check the National Weather Service Phoenix forecast and City of Phoenix trail updates before you go.
How much water do you need for Camelback?
Bring more than you think you need, enough for both the climb and the descent, and drink on a regular rhythm. On heat warning days, follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and the City of Phoenix.