16. Grand Canal
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: The Grand Canal travels across the Valley from where it emerges from an underground aqueduct southwest of the intersection of Washington Street and Mill Avenue in Tempe. The canal path heads northwestward into Phoenix, north of Indian School Road and past the Phoenix Indian Medical Center before it heads almost due west between Phoenix Central High School and Brophy College Preparatory School and then curves southwest. South of Indian School Road and I-17, the canal begins to travel west. It travels to the northwest a little north of 56th Avenue and Osborn Road. It travels into Glendale at 75th Avenue and Camelback Road, continuing northwest to Bethany Home Road and 83rd Avenue, where it heads due west to about 107th Avenue and ends.
17. Hieroglyphic Trail
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Insider Pick:
Description: If you’re looking for a memorable hike that’s not to steep and not too boring, this is the one. The round-trip hike is about 2.5 miles. The elevation change is about 200 feet difference over some varying sand and rock, so it’s manageable and quite scenic with the mighty Superstition range as the backdrop. At the top you can explore some truly bizarre rock formations marked with ancient Native American petroglyphs. The Superstitions are known as a fantastic day trip, and the spot puts you about 12 miles south of the Goldfield Ghost Town attractions for another place to explore with family.
18. Mormon & National Trails
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 495-0222
Address: 10919 S. Central Ave.
Description: These are fun trails for mountain biking, although they’re shared by hikers, so be careful and courteous. From the mountain-bike point of view, Mormon Trail is a technical singletrack. The trail climbs to a mountain ridge, follows it, and then hooks up to the National Trail. At this point you can choose to return to the trailhead by turning left down the National Trail. By turning right you continue upward on the National Trail. At “the waterfall” riders are forced to carry their bikes up a short distance, and then it’s 3 to 4 miles back to the parking lot. The bike ride down is very bumpy.
19. Summit Trail
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 256-3220
Insider Pick:
Description: At 2,700 feet Camelback Mountain happens to be the tallest in Phoenix, so its Summit Trail takes hikers to the top of the Valley. However, you don’t get the reward of a magnificent view without work. This is a popular place among overachievers, and the park rangers rate it a strenuous hike. The mile-long path is a vertical ascent with slippery patches of gravel, but it’s well worth the effort.
20. Summit Trail At Piestewa Peak
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 262-7901
Address: 2701 E. Squaw Peak Ln.
Description: We hesitate to mention the Summit Trail at Piestewa Peak because it’s already so popular and crowded. This 1.2-mile trail doesn’t go as high as Camelback’s Summit Trail (it’s only 2,600 feet), and it isn’t as difficult. The trail has several places to stop and rest, and you don’t have to climb very high to get a nice view.
21. Arizona Horse Lovers Park
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 534-4657
Address: 19224 N. Tatum Blvd.
Description: This park has 4 equestrian arenas open to local horse owners Wed to Sun. Trails in the surrounding Reach 11 Recreation Area are open sunrise till sunset.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 234 N. Central Ave.
23. Ponderosa Stables
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 268-1261
Address: 10215 S. Central Ave.
Description: Ponderosa Stables offers horseback riding in South Mountain Park. Trail rides are $33 per person, per hour. Ponderosa also gives riding lessons at $45 an hour per person. The lessons are usually one on one, but they are sometimes in small groups. Ponderosa’s wranglers will take groups out on cookout rides, featuring steak and chicken or hamburgers and hot dogs. There’s an eight-person minimum on cookouts, and reservations are needed.
24. Arcadia Ice
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 957-9966
Address: 3853 E. Thomas Rd.
Description: Arcadia Ice is open for skating and lessons. Located inside the Desert Palms Power Center, it sometimes has public skating sessions during the day and evening, with skating lessons on weekend afternoons. Skating sessions vary, so call ahead or check the website for times and rates. Pick-up hockey games run $15 per person and are open to all ages.
25. Rollero Family Roller Skating Center
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (623) 846-1510
Address: 7318 W. Indian School Rd.
Description: Rollero has been in business for more than 45 years and maintains a family atmosphere. It’s open on all major holidays, with open-skating sessions on most nights of the week. Prices vary daily, ranging from $5 to $8 per person depending on the day and time. There is no charge for skate rental. The schedule changes depending on the season and to accommodate private parties (Rollero specializes in birthday parties), so it’s best to call ahead. Rollero does not allow in-line or street skates.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
27. Chandler
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Chandler has 6 municipal pools open from various dates in the spring and summer. Some are equipped with water slides, beach boats, and other toys for kids. The city runs an aquatics hotline at (480) 782-2749.
28. Gilbert
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Fast-growing Gilbert opened its Perry and Williams Field pools recently, adding them to the network open from mid-May through mid-August. Swim passes are available through Gilbert Parks and Recreation, (480) 503-6200. Lessons are available. Call for hours or visit www.gilbertaz.gov/parks/aquatics.cfm.
29. Glendale
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Glendale operates its city pools from June through August. Schedules vary for each pool. Cactus Pool (at Cactus High School) and Ironwood Pool (at Ironwood High) are for lessons only. For the full range of aquatic activities, it’s best to call (623) 930-2041 or visit www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation.
30. Mesa
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Pool hours vary at different times of the summer, so check updated schedules by calling Mesa Parks and Recreation, (480) 644-2351, or visit www.mesa.gov/parksrec/aquatics. Rhodes Aquatic Complex features the Flow Rider wave pool. Others offer space for group parties. Swim passes and lessons are available. The city also runs discounts on family season passes if you buy them early in the season.