Shaded Seating at Camelback Ranch

What You Need to Know About Shade at Camelback Ranch

Camelback Ranch is the shared spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox, located in Glendale, Arizona.

While its natural beauty is a major draw, the stadium’s unique layout presents a significant challenge for spectators. Unlike other Cactus League parks, Camelback Ranch faces the southeast. This means the sun doesn’t retreat behind you. Instead, it beats down on you throughout the afternoon, making high-quality sun protection and careful seat selection your top priorities.

How Shade Moves During the Day

Because the ballpark faces the southeast, the sun tracks behind the home plate and first-base side of the stadium as the afternoon progresses.

At a typical 1:05 PM start time, you should consider yourself lucky to be in the last few rows of the sections directly beneath the press box and upper-level party deck.

By 2:30 PM, the shadow from the grandstand begins to expand, and more seats start to enjoy shade. Conversely, the third-base sideline and the outfield lawn remain fully exposed to the direct heat and glare until the sun finally drops behind the stadium structure in the early evening.

Stick to 1st Base

To maximize your comfort and avoid the Arizona sun, prioritize these specific areas:

• The Baseline Terrace (Sections 102-105): These are the new gold standard for shade at the Ranch. The updated 100-foot-long cantilevered shade structures anchored here provide cover for the bulk of these seats, making them highly recommended for shade seeker

• The Infield Box Sections 106 – 115: In the Infield Box, look for Rows 10 and above. While Rows 1-9 are often exposed for the first half of the game, the higher-numbered rows catch the structural shadow much sooner.

• Four Peaks Brewing Deck: Formerly known as the Legends Deck, this is one of the premier social spaces in spring training. It is fully covered and shaded, offering stadium and bar chair-style seating with unmatched views of the field.

If you aren’t in a shaded spot, you can walk around the main concourse and get shade from the press box and suites.

Late Afternoon and Evening Games: Tracking the Sunset

For the rare 6:05 PM or 7:05 PM night games, the heat is less of a factor, but the sun’s low angle can still cause glare during the first few innings. As the sun sets in the west-northwest, it sits low behind the third-base side, casting long shadows across the entire field.

By sunset, the temperature in Glendale can drop rapidly, so those sitting in the shade on the first-base side may actually find it brisk compared to the afternoon.

If you are attending a standard afternoon game, avoid third base as these are considered the most sun-drenched seats in the lower bowl.