1. Red Mountain Park
City: Mesa, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 644-2351
Address: 7745 E. Brown Rd.
Description: At Red Mountain Park you get away into a marshland against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. At the center of the park’s artificial lake is a marsh environment where ducks and other birds hide out when they’re not out on the water. The park offers picnic ramadas that can be reserved, playground equipment, a cement volleyball court, soccer fields, and basketball courts—all lighted. Reservations are required. Across Brown Road and to the east of the main developed portion of the park is the park’s lighted softball complex. Fishing is also permitted.
2. Gene Autry Tennis Center
City: Mesa, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 654-3787
Address: 4125 E. McKellips Rd.
Description: This complex features 16 lighted tennis courts, a practice wall, showers, and a small pro shop. The facility is open Mon to Thurs. It’s closed Friday and only open in the morning on the weekends. A court costs $4.50 in the daytime and $5.50 in the evening for 90 minutes of play. You can rent a ball machine for an hour for $10.
3. Salt River Tubing & Recreation
City: Mesa, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 984-3350
Address: 1320 N. Bush Hwy.
Insider Pick:
Description: The lazy river ride provided by the folks at Salt River Tubing is an Arizona tradition. Visitors rent tubes as part of “Arizona’s floating picnic,” which takes them from the Salt River in Mesa for anywhere from 2 to 5 hours downstream from some gorgeous launch spots in Tonto National Forest back toward the main office off Usery Pass Road in Mesa. Friends tie their tubes together, pop a cooler filled with beer in the middle, and gently roll down the scenic Rio Salado. It’s around $15 for a tube rental and shuttle ride. The river rolls along pretty nicely, so there are only a few playful light whitewater splish-splash moments to worry about. The rest is pure relaxation.
4. Red Mountain Park
City: Mesa, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 644-2351
Address: 7745 E. Brown Rd.
Description: At Red Mountain Park you get away into a marshland against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. At the center of the park’s artificial lake is a marsh environment where ducks and other birds hide out when they’re not out on the water. The park offers picnic ramadas that can be reserved, playground equipment, a cement volleyball court, soccer fields, and basketball courts—all lighted. Reservations are required. Across Brown Road and to the east of the main developed portion of the park is the park’s lighted softball complex. Fishing is also permitted.
5. Gene Autry Tennis Center
City: Mesa, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 654-3787
Address: 4125 E. McKellips Rd.
Description: This complex features 16 lighted tennis courts, a practice wall, showers, and a small pro shop. The facility is open Mon to Thurs. It’s closed Friday and only open in the morning on the weekends. A court costs $4.50 in the daytime and $5.50 in the evening for 90 minutes of play. You can rent a ball machine for an hour for $10.
6. Salt River Tubing & Recreation
City: Mesa, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 984-3350
Address: 1320 N. Bush Hwy.
Insider Pick:
Description: The lazy river ride provided by the folks at Salt River Tubing is an Arizona tradition. Visitors rent tubes as part of “Arizona’s floating picnic,” which takes them from the Salt River in Mesa for anywhere from 2 to 5 hours downstream from some gorgeous launch spots in Tonto National Forest back toward the main office off Usery Pass Road in Mesa. Friends tie their tubes together, pop a cooler filled with beer in the middle, and gently roll down the scenic Rio Salado. It’s around $15 for a tube rental and shuttle ride. The river rolls along pretty nicely, so there are only a few playful light whitewater splish-splash moments to worry about. The rest is pure relaxation.