30 Best Outdoor Activities in Phoenix in 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN PHOENIX?

You’ve come to the right place! We’ve been traveling together since 2010, and during the cold Idaho winter months, we often find ourselves retreating to the beautiful state of Arizona.

We have spent months exploring Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Our family spent a lot of time outside enjoying the warmer winter temperature and beautiful sunshine. We love seeing the different kinds of cacti and soaking up the sun in all of the amazing outdoor activities in Phoenix.

Phoenix is such a family-friendly city. Here are our favorite things to do outside in Phoenix that your entire family will enjoy. If there’s something we missed (like the new, super popular Salt River tubing fad!), please let us know in the comments below! We are always looking for more fun ideas for our next trip back.

Best Outdoor Activities in Phoenix

1. Goldfield

The Goldfield Ghost Town is a really fun place for kids to explore while imagining what life used to be like here. It is fun to walk around town to see the old buildings and there are several different attractions available to enhance the experience like a train ride, mine tours, ghost tours, a shooting gallery, and more.

If you are visiting on the weekend, be sure to check out the free gunfighters show every hour between noon and 4 pm.

2. Tempe Beach Park

There is no sand here despite being called a beach park. Don’t let that deter you though. It is still a really fun place to spend the afternoon with the family.

We rented a paddleboat from Boat Rentals of America. Of course, the girls chose a large swan. They had fun learning how to paddle the boat, exploring the area around the bridges, and paddling after the birds in the Salt River. You can also rent bikes or paddleboards.

The girls brought their fishing poles with fake fish on the end to practice their casting and they rode scooters around the park. The park also has a splash pad and volleyball court.

There is a five-mile path surrounding the lake that is perfect for running or biking. You can rent a bike from the Bicycle Cellar, found at Fifth Street and Forest Ave. It is close to downtown with lots of dining options.

3. Phoenix Zoo

Whenever we visit a new place, we can’t resist a trip to the local zoo. The Phoenix Zoo is such a great zoo. It is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States.

There are about 1,400 animals in the zoo. There are four different trails that go through the zoo. Our favorite trail was the tropics trail. It took us through the elephants, jaguars, iguanas, tigers, and more. There are also really fun playgrounds and picnic areas for lunch and snacks.

Buy Tickets to the Phoenix Zoo Here!

4. Carl’s Damaged Pet Warehouse                 

Located just outside the Riparian Preserve, you can visit Carl’s Damaged Pet Warehouse. It is a pasture full of pets ranging from donkeys to goats.

Carl has a bucket of food to feed the animals. You can also bring your own food to feed the animals like apples and carrots. There is no charge to feed the animals.

Rowen and Raven loved visiting and feeding these animals. It is pretty small. We stayed for about 30 minutes each time we visited.

The address for Carl’s Damaged Pet Warehouse is at the corner of 164^th Street and Olny Avenue in Gilbert.

5. Liberty Wildlife

Liberty Wildlife is one of the best outdoor family activities in Phoenix, AZ. It is home to a variety of different wildlife animals who have been injured or are no longer able to live in the wild for another reason.

There is an outdoor area where you can walk around to see the different birds. There is also an indoor area where you can see lots of native animals like snakes, spiders, and more.

The best part about Liberty Wildlife is the presentations held throughout the day. They are awesome. Volunteers get the birds out for different presentations and questions. We loved getting up close to the beautiful birds and learning more about them.

Liberty Wildlife is open to the public every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is open from 10 am to 1 pm. We spent about two and a half hours there watching the different presentations and eating lunch.  

If you’re looking for more wildlife encounters, OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland are a lot of fun as well!

6. Golfland Sunsplash

Golfland Sunsplash is one of the best things to do outside in Phoenix. It is a family amusement center with a water park, miniature golf courses, an arcade, laser tag, go-carts, and bumper boats.

The water park has lots of great features for every age. There is a splash pad and water area for younger children as well as family rides, drop slides, and a wave pool.

My kids had a ton of fun here playing the arcade games and exploring the different activities outside.

7. Roosevelt Row Arts District

Roosevelt Row is a walkable arts district downtown. It starts at 7th Avenue and runs east to 16th Street. We had such a great time exploring this neighborhood. It is full of murals, galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and more.

We also rented the electric scooters and the girls loved getting to ride around with their dad. There are so many cool murals to find around every corner.

We ate at the Wilderness Brewing Company while we were there. They have a great outdoor dining area with games that are fun for the whole family. The food was great and had a vibe to match the fun arts district.

There are a number of different events that happen in Roosevelt Row so be sure to check their event calendar during your visit.

8. Street Art Tour

Phoenix has a huge street art scene. This street art tour will take you through some of the best murals and graffiti in the area and your guide will share stories of the artists behind the pieces of art.

As well as learning about the art, you will get to make a couple of stops at delicious restaurants focused on the art scene. Carly’s Bistro has an evolving wall of street art that is really cool.

Check Prices for a Street Art Tour Here!

9. Tortilla Flat

The drive to Tortilla Flat is beautiful. You will drive through the Tonto National Forest and pass Canyon Lake. Tortilla Flat, the remnant of an old west town, is pretty small but worth the drive from Phoenix. There is a small boardwalk to enjoy as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.

Hop into the Superstition Saloon and Restaurant to see the wallpaper. It is made from real dollar bills from visitors all over the world. Last but not least, visit the Country Store for the famous prickly pear gelato.

10. Old Town Scottsdale

If you’re having a hard time getting everyone in your group to agree on what to do in Phoenix, consider a stop at Old Town Scottsdale. There is so much to do here. The Historic Old Town is filled with Native American shops, beautiful fountains, and great restaurants.

There are so many unique and different shops here for window shopping. There are also a number of different restaurants here as well. A lot of the shops close between 4 pm and 6 pm so come during the earlier parts of the day if you can.

Also in Old Town Scottsdale is the Scottsdale Fashion Square. It is the largest retail space in the Southwest.

While we were exploring Old Town Scottsdale, we ate dinner at Evo. It is a delicious Italian restaurant that is famous for its NY-style, thin-crust pizza. We had delicious pasta with big enough servings for leftovers. The staff was great, and we really enjoyed our dining experience there.

If you’re planning on spending additional time in Scottsdale, be sure to check out this inclusive guide for Scottsdale – Summer Guide to the Best of Scottsdale Arizona.

Best Nature Things to do in Phoenix

11. Riparian Preserve

The Riparian Preserve is a beautiful 125-acre preserve full of walking trails and wildlife. There are also a bunch of interpretive signs explaining more about this beautiful outdoor kids’ activities in Phoenix. It is also a great place for fishing and wildlife viewing

We brought Rowen and Raven’s scooters and spent a Sunday afternoon exploring the preserve. We saw all sorts of turtles and birds here. This is filled with great outdoor activities in Phoenix.

There is also a really fun kids’ section at the Riparian Preserve. It has a dinosaur dig where kids can use their paleontology skills to find bones in the sand and a fun kids’ wall to play on. There are not any swings or traditional playground equipment here, but Rowen and Raven had fun running and climbing on the wall.

12. Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is about 45 miles from Phoenix and a great place to spend an afternoon in the sunshine. You can fish, play at the beach, hike, bird watch, and go boating. The beach and restaurant are part of the Canyon Lake Marina and Campground.

If you’re visiting during the day, there are three sites with boat launches and swimming areas. (Acadia Picnic Site, Palo Verde Recreation Site, and Boulder Creek Recreation Site) They also have a fun dinner tour of Canyon Lake on Dolly’s Steamboat.

If you’re looking for outdoor Phoenix activities, Canyon Lake is a great place to spend the day!

13. Desert Botanical Garden

Before visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, I had no idea how many types of cacti there were. I was amazed at the variety and beauty of the desert plants. There are multiple loops and trails throughout the garden that will give you beautiful views of the Phoenix area as well as the beautiful plants.

There is a very informative loop about the native people and how they used the plants for food, medicine, and building supplies.

I really enjoyed our visit to the gardens. My four-year-old twins really enjoyed exploring the trails for about 90 minutes or so and then they were ready to go. We spent about two hours there and we were pretty rushed to see everything there.

14. Salt River Tubing

If your kids enjoy being on the water, this activity is a sure fire winner for your family. The Salt River, just outside of Phoenix, has drawn visitors eager to float its waters from all over the country over the past few years.

You can take a Salt River Tubing adventure with a company, or venture off and orchestrate the float on your own. Either way, you’re in for a great time.

Rafting, kayaking and even over night camping tours are other fun ways to enjoy the Salt River.

Outdoor Activities in Phoenix – Hiking 

We went to Arizona to escape the cold Idaho winter so we knew we wanted to spend as much time outside as we could. There are so many great outdoor activities near Phoenix, and we found one of our favorites to be hiking. There are so many kid-friendly hikes.

A lot of them have educational signs up which Rowen and Raven loved. Here are a few of our favorite hikes near Phoenix.

1. North Mountain – This is a great hike for small kids and moms. I was able to take all three of my kids here by myself because the path is paved.
2. McDowell Mountain Regional Park – Here we loved the Gateway Loop Trail and Scenic Trail. There are educational signs that taught us more about the wildlife in the area.
3. Hieroglyphics Trail – This is a bit longer of a hike but was totally doable for my twins who were four at the time. There is a fun water area and hieroglyphics to spot at the end of the trail. We hiked this near sunset and the views of the valley were amazing. We highly recommend this hike if you can. It was one of our two favorite hikes.
4. Dreamy Draw Recreation Area – This is a trail that is great for the whole family and doesn’t require a long drive. It is one of the most centrally located hikes near the middle of downtown Phoenix. We found the best hiking for our little kids at the Dreamy Draw Nature Trail.

15. Papago Park

Papago Park is found just next to the Phoenix Zoo and is one of the best outdoor activities near Phoenix. Our favorite activity here was climbing to the Hole-in-the-Rock. It is a short trail that leads to beautiful views of downtown Tempe.

There are also miles of trails that are smooth and flat, perfect for the kids as well as mountain biking and trail running. We found a trail and started exploring. We found all sorts of interesting plants and animals.

16. South Mountain Park

One of the best Phoenix outdoor adventures is hiking or mountain biking at South Mountain. We hiked a couple of different trails at South Mountain and Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail was our favorite. This is one of the best places to go hiking.

• Length: 3.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 925 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

This was a pretty good hike for our family. Our kids were 6, 6, and 2 at the time of the hike. The first part of the hike is the hardest and has the majority of the elevation gain. There is a pretty good size hill to walk up after leaving the parking lot. After that, the trail levels out more.

We had fun admiring the cacti along the trail and enjoying the beauty of outdoor Phoenix. The Hidden Valley was really fun to explore and my kids had a blast running through the small canyon.

Part of this trail is used by mountain bikers, so make sure to keep an eye out. There are some corners where it is hard to see them so it’s a good idea to stay aware.

17. Hayden Butte (A Mountain)

If you’re looking for outdoor activities in Phoenix, a fun hike that is close to town is hiking Hayden Butte, also known as A Mountain.

• Length: 0.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 232 feet
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy

This is a relatively easy hike that everyone can enjoy. There are parts where the trail is a little steep but it isn’t too bad. My two-year-old did almost the entire hike on her own. She was tired by the end and we did carry her in our Osprey backpack for part of the way.

This hike has some cool petroglyphs and cacti along the trail. We used this as a teaching opportunity to discuss the history of the native people as well as the climate in Arizona with our kids. Once you get to the top, there are great views of the surrounding city and park areas.   

18. White Tank Mountain Regional Park

A place loaded with outdoor activities for kids in Phoenix is the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. This area is so much fun. There is a playground, hiking trails, and a visitor’s program that has a junior ranger program. My kids love earning badges in all of the different places we visit.

Our favorite hike in the White Tank Mountains is the Waterfall Trail through Petroglyph Plaza.

• Length: 1.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 229 feet
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy

This was a hike that our entire family enjoyed. It was easy enough that my three-year-old did most of the hike on her own. At Petroglyph Plaza and throughout the trail, there are ancient petroglyphs you can see. This was a great learning opportunity.

The trail is paved from the parking area to Petroglyph Plaza. From the plaza to the waterfall, it is a dirt path but is easy to walk. We had a great time admiring cacti, climbing on the rocks, and enjoying the beautiful Arizona sunshine.

Depending on the time of year you visit, the waterfall may have water. If you look back around the corner, you may see more of a water flow.

outdoor Adventurous Activities in Phoenix

19. ATV Desert Tour

One of the best Phoenix outdoor adventures is going on a guided desert tour. This off-road tour in the Sonoran Desert will take you through the trails in the Bradshaw Mountains area. You will get to drive a Teryx UTV through creeks and wash beds with beautiful views of the saguaro cacti and canyons.

Along with exploring this beautiful part of Arizona, your guide will share valuable information about the area’s history, wildlife, and plant life.

This is one of the unique Phoenix, Arizona outdoor activities and something that your entire family will enjoy.

Check Prices for the ATV Desert Tour Here!

20. Downtown Phoenix Bike Tour

One of the best things to do outside in Phoenix today is exploring the town on a bike, especially if you’re visiting during the months with cooler temperatures. Phoenix is so nice in the cooler months making it a great time to soak in some Vitamin D.

If you’re interested in seeing the city and learning more about the history of the town, a Phoenix Legends Bike Tour is a really fun activity. You’ll get to go through some of the best and most interesting parts of town like the Roosevelt Row Arts District and Heritage Square.

The guides are so knowledgeable and share so many interesting stories about the history and culture of the American Southwest.

Check Prices for a Bike Tour Here!

21. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Another one of the best Phoenix outdoor adventures is going on a hot air balloon ride in the morning. Arizona has some of the best sunsets and sunrises that I have seen. From the air, you’ll have stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix valley.

You will get the entire experience from watching the pilot and crew get your hot-air balloon ready to ending the experience with a champagne breakfast.  

If you need transportation, you can arrange for hotel pickup and drop-off as well.

Check Prices for a Hot Air Balloon Ride Here!

OuTdoor Activities in Phoenix – Parks

22. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Our kids loved our trip to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. It is full of enough activities to make a fun family afternoon including a train ride, a 1950’s carousel, a historic railroad museum, and a park. The park also has some really neat old engines with historical information.

Tickets to ride the train and carousel are $3.00 each. We visited on a weekday afternoon and it was not crowded at all.

We enjoyed the beautiful weather, explored the 30-acre park, and let the kids burn some energy off at the playground. This is an awesome outdoor Phoenix activity the entire family will enjoy.

23. Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is one of the kids’ activities in Phoenix that kept our kiddos busy for hours. Located in downtown Mesa, the park is full of playground equipment for all different ages and abilities. There are treehouses as well as a toddler playground and swings. If you are visiting during the warmer months, be sure to pack a swimming suit for the 15-foot water wall and splash pad.

There are reservable shaded picnic areas and horseshoe pits but the horseshoe area must be reserved at least seven days in advance.

24. Riverview Park

Riverview Park is home to the Cubs Spring Training Facility as well as Sloan Park, Riverview Lake, and the Riverview Park Kids’ Playground. We spent most of our time at the playground, but the rest of the park is beautiful. The park has very nice shared-use pathways along the Salt Riverbank.

The playground has a 50-foot climbing tower, a long rope climbing structure, and two different playground areas for kids of different ages. One is geared towards kids 2-5 and the other is for kids 6-12+.

It was nice to have specific aged equipment but also made it challenging to keep an eye on everyone when they wanted to play in different sections of the playground. Overall it was a great park that my kids loved.

25. Encanto Park

One of the best parks in Phoenix is Encanto Park. It is filled with outdoor family activities in Phoenix, Arizona like swimming, walking, fishing, golfing, and boating. You can rent paddle boats and canoes from the boathouse.

There is also a great playground as well as baseball fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts. This is one of the largest municipal parks and is a great place to spend a beautiful afternoon in Arizona.

26. Desert Breeze Park

Another really fun park in the Phoenix area offering train rides is the Desert Breeze Park in Chandler. It has tons of fun things to do like playgrounds, splash pads, sand volleyball courts, carousel rides, and train rides.

There are also great amenities there like pavilions, restrooms, and walking trails. You can rent athletic fields and park pavilions for parties or get-togethers.

27. Eastmark Great Park

The Eastmark Great Park is another fun park out in Mesa. If you’re staying in Phoenix, this might be a little too far away but if you’re nearby it’s definitely worth visiting.

Along with the playground, there is a shaded splash pad, basketball courts, a walking trail, and an exercise course.

I will also say that the playground is geared more towards older children. My six-year-olds had a great time climbing on the nets and towers but my two-year-old didn’t have a lot to do here.

Outdoor Activities in Phoenix – Day Trips

28. Sedona                                               

Sedona is one of our favorite places to visit! If you have time for 2-3 days in the area you won’t be disappointed. However, if you’re short on time, a day trip is still well worth a visit. Sedona is about 2 hours north of Phoenix.

There are so many fun things to do in Sedona. If you are just there for the day, I would recommend visiting the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village and Uptown shopping areas, visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and hiking Cathedral Rock Trail just before sunset. There are so many great hiking trails in Sedona.

Sedona Day Tour from Phoenix

If you don’t have your own transportation or just want someone to take care of the planning for you, there are day trips to Sedona that are awesome. The tours will take you to some of the best spots to see in Sedona like Bell Rock and the Chapel of Holy Cross.

Pickup is included from select Phoenix hotels.

Check Prices for Sedona Trips from Phoenix Here!

29. Saguaro National Park

Growing up in Idaho, cacti was not something we had really seen before. We fell in love with the cacti, especially with the beautiful Arizona sunset as a backdrop. A spectacular place to see the saguaro cacti is in Saguaro National Park near Tucson.

The park is about two hours south of Phoenix but is well worth a day trip, especially if you love the national parks as we do.

Saguaro National Park is split into two different sections. If you are heading down for the day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. Stop in at the Visitors Center, explore the Bajada Loop Drive, and hike Signal Hill to see the Petroglyphs.

Read More: Top Things to See in Saguaro National Park

30. Grand Canyon

One of the most spectacular sites in all of Arizona is the Grand Canyon. Phoenix is about three and a half hours away from Phoenix. It is doable to make the trip in a day. If you have an extra day you may want to spend the night there depending on how much hiking you want to do there.

If you aren’t hiking much or going on a guided activity, two to three hours in the Grand Canyon is sufficient. You can walk along the Rim Trail, visit some of the popular viewpoints, and go down to Watchtower.

If you do decide to spend the night at the Grand Canyon, there are lots of great places to stay near the South Rim. Some other really pretty places in this part of Arizona that are well worth a visit are Antelope Canyon and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook.

Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix

If you don’t have transportation or just want to sit back and relax during the day, a guided tour to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix is a great option.

This highly rated day trip will take you through the beautiful landscapes along Route 66, the Sonoran Desert, and the Grand Canyon.  You can sit back and relax while your guides take care of the driving and logistics.

You will stop at the Williams Depot to take in the rich tradition of iconic Route 66. There are some local shops here as well as some souvenir shops.  Then you will make your way to the Grand Canyon South Rim. You’ll be there for about three hours, taking in all the fun things to do at the Grand Canyon.

Check Prices for Grand Canyon Tour Here!

If it is during the hot summer months or the weather just isn’t cooperating, don’t let that stop you from having a fun day out in Phoenix. There are a lot of indoor activities that your entire family will enjoy.
Read More: 15 Best Indoor Things to Do in Phoenix 

Map of Best Outdoor Activities in Phoenix

How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

If you click the star next to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the menu button, go to “Your Place” and click on Maps. You will see this map added to your list.

What to Bring to Phoenix

Water Bottle: Even if you are visiting during the winter months, it can get hot and you want to make sure you bring lots of water with you. This is especially true if you are hiking. There are so many great hikes in the Phoenix area and you want to make sure you are prepared for the weather. We love using the hydro flasks during our hikes.

Check Prices for Hydro Flasks on Amazon Here!

Sun Protection: The sun in Phoenix is hot and you will need to make sure you are prepared. This is especially true if you are going hiking. There is not really any shade cover on the trails so it is good to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Some of the playgrounds have some shade covers but bringing some sunscreen is a good idea.

More Arizona Adventures

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Everything You Need to Know About Hiking to Devil’s Bridge in Sedona
A Complete Guide to Hiking to the Birthing Cave

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