2022_TempeVG

Explore the
Outdoors
By Jake Poinier
Ethan Hill Media
By Land
BIKING
BIKE PATHS
Designated a Gold-Level Bicycle
Friendly Community by the
League of American Bicyclists,
Tempe features about 217 miles of
bikeways in all. Generous
bike lanes allow cyclists to
navigate safely on city streets
and the BIKEiT bike boulevard
system’s low-motorized traffic
volumes and speeds are ideal for
bicycle travel.
Slaven Gujic
Ethan Hill Media
Find the unexpected side of the Sonoran Desert
in Tempe. An ideal location and picturesque
landscape make Tempe the perfect place to spend
a sunny day boating, hiking or biking.
Within and around the city, there’s no limit to
the activities and adventures—but here are a few
ideas to spark your imagination.
"A" Mountain
For a totally motor-vehicle-free
experience, take a spin on one
of the eight multi-use paths.
Popular routes run along Tempe
Town Lake, with spurs to the
north on the Cross-Cut Canal,
Grand Canal and Indian Bend
Wash. To the south, riders
can enjoy the extensive canal
system’s options, such as the
Highline Canal, Western Canal
and Kyrene Canal.
BIKE RENTALS
Whether you want to take a
two-hour ride or a seven-day
adventure, the Bicycle Cellar
can outfit you with the right set
of wheels—including a lock,
helmet, lights and a flat repair kit.
Their roster includes urban bikes,
mountain bikes, a tandem, or
even an e-bike equipped with a
kid hauler.
Tempe Town Lake
Papago Park
HIKING
PAPAGO PARK
Several trails wind through Papago
Park with views spanning across
the Valley of the Sun, Downtown
Tempe and Tempe Town Lake.
The Double Butte Loop Trail is
one of the best-known routes,
with a mostly wide, flat dirt path
that circumnavigates the large red
sandstone buttes.
“A” MOUNTAIN
Thanks to its convenient location
in the heart of Downtown Tempe,
“A” Mountain (officially known as
Hayden Butte Preserve) offers a
quick, high-intensity hike—with the
Leonard Monti Trail gaining about
250 feet in less than half a mile.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN
PARK AND PRESERVE
The largest municipal park in the
U.S., South Mountain Park, has
trails suitable for every level of
hiker: flat, steep, short, long and
everything in between. If you’re
up for a moderate challenge, the
1.7-mile Marcos De Niza Trail is
among the most popular loop
options.
PIESTEWA PEAK
The Summit Trail at Piestewa
Peak is a strenuous yet rewarding
hike within the Phoenix
Mountains Park and Recreation
Area. In addition to 360-degree
views from the top, it’s a climb
that provides a heart-pumping
workout.
CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN
The Greater Phoenix area’s most
visible landmark, Camelback
Mountain, is a must-hike for
its views and desert flora and
fauna. Be prepared for numerous
challenging sections and lots of
fellow hikers; parking at the Echo
Canyon trailhead is competitive
on weekend mornings.
By Water
TEMPE TOWN LAKE
If it floats, you’ll probably see it
on Tempe Town Lake. Kayaks,
stand-up paddleboards, pedal
boats and rowing shells are
constantly cruising the 2-milelong
lake. In addition, Boat
Rentals of America – Tempe
Town Lake recently added donut
boats to the mix: circular electric
boats with canopies and tables
that hold up to 10 people.
KIWANIS LAKE
No boating experience? No
problem! Boat Rentals of
America – Kiwanis Lake rents
single and double kayaks and
pedal boats – including bimini
tops for shade and whimsical
duck boats for style. At 1/2 mile
long and 1/8 mile wide, it’s the
perfect way to catch some rays
on the water as part of a day at
Kiwanis Community Park.
24 #OurTempe TempeTourism.com
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