Bee swarm stings eight hikers on Camelback Mountain, trails reopen

A spring hike on Camelback Mountain turned into an emergency response just before 9:30 a.m. on May 19, when a swarm of bees stung a group of hikers on the Cholla and Echo Canyon trail corridors. Eight people were evaluated, one was taken to the hospital, and the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department closed both trails while a bee specialist checked the area. By late afternoon, Camelback Mountain and the affected trails reopened after an exterminator found no evidence of an active hive or swarm.

Phoenix Fire first received reports of the stings around 9:15 a.m. from the base of Cholla Trail, and Captain Mike Johnson said hikers were also being stung toward the top of the mountain. That detail matters for anyone mapping out a Phoenix hike this week, because the incident spread beyond a single switchback or trailhead and forced a same-day shutdown on one of the city’s most popular routes.

Camelback is not a casual outing. The City of Phoenix calls it one of the nation’s top hiking destinations, says its two main trails are rated Extremely Difficult, and places the summit at 2,704 feet above sea level. Phoenix also manages more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves and more than 200 miles of trails, with more than 200 hikers rescued annually from city desert and mountain parks and preserves. Parking at Camelback trailheads is limited, dogs are prohibited year-round, and the city says only experienced hikers should attempt the summit in optimal weather conditions.

For trip planning, the safest move is to verify Camelback’s status before leaving home and again before pulling into the trailhead. A route that looks open on a map can still be closed for heat, wildlife, or rescue activity, and Phoenix’s own trail system shows how quickly conditions shift. In 2024, the city logged 45 days of trail closures because of heat warnings, along with 121 days at or above 105 degrees and 69 days above 110.

The bee encounter also fits a wider seasonal pattern. In April, a hiker at Lookout Mountain Preserve was stung more than 100 times and airlifted in critical condition after Phoenix and Glendale fire teams used a helicopter hoist to extract him. Phoenix officials said a warm winter likely brought bees out earlier than usual.

On desert trails, that means heat, snakes, and bees can all shape the day. If a swarm shows up, Phoenix Fire says to protect your head and get out of the immediate area fast rather than trying to outrun the insects in panic. Camelback reopened, but the morning’s shutdown was a sharp reminder that a routine hike in Phoenix can change in minutes.