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Tempe's Indoor & Outdoor Recreation

Arizona's warm and irresistible climate makes is easy to step outside to enjoy the many recreational activities the area has to offer in any season. In the midst of this stunning urban community lie mountains, trails, lakes and parks. Tempe residents and visitors love:

  • Boating on Tempe Town Lake - Tempe Town Lake is located on north side of Tempe's Mill Avenue District and ASU. The City of Tempe offers classes and permits for those who want to take their boat out for a day of sailing and relaxation. Everyone can enjoy Tempe Town Lake to its fullest with Tempe Boat Rentals, offering options including kayaks, pedal boats, hydrobikes, stand-up paddleboards, electric skiffs, electric surrey top and pontoon style boats.
  • Hiking - Get your hiking boots on and enjoy the great outdoors that desert dwellers love. South Mountain Park/Preserve provides never ending beautiful scenery and sometimes challenging, hiking and mountain bike trails. For a shorter hike that can prove to be just as challenging, try Tempe’s own Hayden Butte, more popularly known as “A” Mountain. This short hike is located in the heart of the Mill Avenue District and offers amazing views of Tempe and the Valley of the Sun. Nearby hiking areas also include Papago Park, Piestewa Peak, Camelback Mountain and the amazing Superstition Mountains. Other hikes are an easy drive from the metro area and can be found throughout Arizona.
  • Biking - Tempe is a great biking city for both commuters and recreational bikers. Tempe Town Lake and the Papago Park region are great areas to explore and offer connections to the Scottsdale Greenbelt and Phoenix Rio Salado areas.
  • Golfing - Play a game of golf ASU Karsten Golf Course. Rated "4½ STAR" by Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play", this par 70, Pete Dye Scottish links design boasts exceptional playing conditions year round. Tempe’s ASU Karsten Golf Course is home to the nationally ranked men’s and women’s golf programs at Arizona State University.
  • Attractions in Papago Park - Papago Park is a gem in the middle of the metropolitan area that offers hiking and biking trails, the Desert Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Zoo, Hall of Flame Museum and Pueblo Grande Museum.
  • Community Parks - Tempe has a great selection of community parks to enjoy the great outdoors. Tempe Kiwanis Park offers tennis, fishing, bike trails and an indoor wave pool. Tempe Beach Park features great open spaces, a baseball field, Tempe Town Lake and Cox Splash Playground for cool summer fun.
  • Recreational Fishing - You don't have to go far out of town to catch a fish. Tempe's urban lakes offer fishing programs for those looking for the catch of the day.

For a preview of some of Tempe’s best outdoor activites, watch our YouTube video.

Arizona Amateur Athletics Union (AAU)
2213 S. Saratoga
Mesa, AZ 85202
Phone: (480) 755-3930

Non-profit organization committed to bringing youth sports activities and events to Arizona.

ASU Karsten Golf Course
1125 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 921-8070
Fax: (480)784-4836

Rated "4½ STARS" by Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play", this par 70, Pete Dye Scottish links design boasts exceptional playing conditions year round. The Sun Angel Clubhouse is home to award-winning Trophy Room restaurant. AAA/CAA discounts available.

ASU Student Recreation Center
Arizona State University 400 E. Apache Blvd
Tempe, AZ 85287
Phone: (480) 965-8900

Facilities include: 13 racquetball courts, 14 tennis courts, 4 large gyms, multi-use exercise rooms, outdoor field space and an outdoor 25 yard by 70 meter swimming pool. The SRC hosts national racquetball tournaments, Power Soccertournaments, Desert Challenge Regional Games, the Southwest Desert Duel Water Polo Tournament, national fitness conferences, and offers swim team practice space. Guest passes are available to the public.

Benedict Sports Complex
490 W. Guadalupe Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: (480) 350-5200
Fax: (480)350-5058

The Benedict Sports Complex includes five lighted soccer fields and hosts baseball, softball and soccer games.

City of Tempe Parks & Rec
3500 S Rural Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: (480) 350-5200

Enhances quality of life by providing safe, clean, friendly and fun environments. We are a leader in delivering superior services that are in the best interest of our community.

Escalante Community Center
2150 E. Orange St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480)350-5800
Fax: (480)350-5815

This facility includes a gymnasium, youth center, fitness area, library resource center, swimming pool and senior center.

Ken McDonald Golf Course
800 E. Divot Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85283
Phone: (480) 350-5250
Fax: (480)839-7973

18-hole championship golf course with lighted driving range, family trees, pro shop and restaurant. Golf Tempe offers incredible course conditions, great pace-of-play and excellent customer experiences.

Kiwanis Community Park

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Phone: (480) 350-5200
Fax: (480)350-5058

Walk, fish or just relax in Tempe's 125-acre park! Boat rentals, two picnic ramadas, urban fishing and seasonal movies in the park make this 12-acre lake something to talk about!

Kiwanis Fitness Center
6111 S. All American Way
Tempe, AZ 85283
Phone: (480) 350-5201

The Kiwanis Fitness Center features various fitness tools that include cardiovascular and strength equipment, free weights, stability balls, tubing and bands. Packages are available for various levels of use.

Kiwanis Park Batting Range

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Phone: (480) 350-5727
Fax: (480)350-5777

Batter up! Baseball, softball and fast-pitch softball in 10 lighted batting cages! Group and private lessons, birthday packages and pro-shop services are available.

Kiwanis Park Tennis Center

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Phone: (480) 350-5201

15 lighted/cushioned courts with USTA-certified staff on hand. Group and private lessons, leagues and tournaments are available. Drop-in tennis offered daily, matching players of all recreational levels.

Kiwanis Recreation Center

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Phone: (480) 350-5201
Fax: (480)350-5777

With an indoor heated wave pool and water slide, tennis center, gymnasium, batting range, outdoor lighted sand volleyball courts and classrooms, KRC is a perfect destination for birthday parties, corporate picnics, family reunions and just plain fun.

Papago Riding Stable
400 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 966-9793

Papago Riding Stable is family owned and operated since 1967. The full-service facility is on 5 acres of land and offers access to over 2,000 acres of beautiful desert foothills in Papago Park. With miles of equestrian trails, you can ride for hours to popular destinations, including Hole in the Wall rock formation, Governor Hunt Pyramid monument, ponds, view animals at Phoenix Zoo or you can just get away and find your own trail! Located right in town near Tempe Town Lake and close to the Light-Rail system.

Pyle Adult Recreation Center
655 E. Southern Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: (480)350-5211
Fax: (480) 350-5294

A variety of programs and special events for adults are offered at this popular Tempe Recreation facility.

Rolling Hills Golf Course
1415 N. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 350-5275
Fax: (480)350-5080

18-hole championship golf course with lighted driving range, family trees, pro shop and restaurant. Golf Tempe offers incredible course conditions, great pace-of-play and excellent customer experiences.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N. Pima Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Phone: (480) 270-5000

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is the Valley's newest and most versatile venue. Located on 140 acres on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in the heart of metro Phoenix, it offers easy access from the Pima 101 Freeway. Its thirteen baseball fields, shaded stadium, picturesque party decks and multiple parking lots are all available for rental. Open 12 months a year, Salt River Fields is the Valley's most creative destination for events of all sizes, from social gatherings to convention and business meetings, sporting events, art and cultural festivals, or car shows. Surrounded by expansive views of Red Mountain, Camelback Mountain, the Superstition Mountains, Four Peaks and the McDowell Mountains, Salt River Fields is a one-of-a-kind destination.

South Mountain Park/Preserve
Located south of Baseline Rd., entrances to the park are located at 48th St. and Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Phone: (602) 534-6324

South Mountain Park/Preserve is 25 square miles (16,000 acres) of rugged natural beauty. Features include 58 miles of trails for hiking, climbing, horseback riding and mountain biking to breathtaking views of 2,300 - 2,600 ft. elevations. Reservable picnic ramadas are available during park hours of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SRP Tempe Town Lake Marina
550 E. Tempe Town Lake
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 350-5200

The 13-acre SRP Tempe Town Lake Marina provides the best access to the water at the boat ramp launch and offers boat trailer parking, restrooms, grassy picnic areas, a sloped amphitheater and rentable dry boat storage. The marina is located on the north side of the lake, just south of the 202 freeway. To get there, go south on College at Curry Road and follow the blue signs.

Tempe Boat Rentals
72 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 303-9803
Fax: (480) 303-9805

At Tempe Boat Rentals, everyone in the family can enjoy recreational boating at its best. Select from a variety of watercrafts: kayaks, pedal boats, hydrobikes, electric boats, stand-up paddleboards and more. Check us out on the web or call us directly.

Tempe Sports Complex
8401 S. Hardy Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85284
Phone: (480)350-5200
Fax: (480) 350-5058

This athletic complex includes seven lighted soccer fields, four lighted softball fields, skatepark and a dog park.

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