Why does Papago Park look like another planet?
From Valley 101 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com
May 11, 2026 · 14 min
About this episode
This episode explores the unique rock formations of Papago Park and their geological history.
In Papago Park, the rocks look almost out of this world, adding charm to one of Phoenix’s most iconic landscapes. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore how those rock formations developed their unique look. Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok. Guests: Stephen Reynolds Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Tori Weiss, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Bill Goodykoontz
Guest: Stephen Reynolds
Topics covered
- Papago Park
- rock formations
- Phoenix landscapes
- geology
- local history
Keywords
- Papago Park
- Phoenix
- rock formations
- geology
- Arizona
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com
More episodes of Valley 101
- How extreme are Arizona wildfires? · June 8, 2026 · 19 min
- Are monsoons still a thing in Arizona? · June 1, 2026 · 14 min
- Are Arizona lakes safe to swim in? · May 25, 2026 · 14 min
- What is Valley Fever? · May 18, 2026 · 17 min
- Who is Arizona's mother? · May 4, 2026 · 14 min
- Do people still use swamp coolers in Arizona? · April 27, 2026 · 10 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Valley 101 podcast page.