Due to the unique and diverse climates the state of Arizona offers, residents and visitors can enjoy an array of both summer and winter activities:

Hiking

One of the greatest ways to see the vast, spectacular views this state has to offer is on foot. In fact, some of Arizona's best sites can only be reached this way. In Phoenix, Summit Trail on Squaw Peak is the busiest mountain path in the city. It is just over one mile to the top, but a wonderful place to get a great workout. Just a few miles from Squaw Peak, is one of the world's most recognizable mountains - Camelback Mountain. Located in the Echo Canyon Recreation Area, this trail is a little less congested as it is geared for more experienced hikers.

There are miles and miles of other trails that are all easily accessible. The White Tank Mountains in the West Valley, the Superstition Mountains in the East Valley, the McDowell Mountains, Pinnacle Peak Park and Four Peaks to the Northeast, and South Mountain Park and North Mountain Park, both within the city of Phoenix.

Rock Climbing

Technical rock climbing spots, in the Phoenix area, include Pinnacle Peak in northern Scottsdale; Bobby's Rock and the Praying Monk on Camelback Mountain and Bart's Rock, in Peralta Canyon, in the Superstition Mountains. For more information about rock climbing, stop at REI at 1405 W. Southern, in Tempe, Desert Mountain Sports, 2824 E. Indian School, Phoenix or Alpine Ski Keller at 1753 E. Broadway in Tempe.

Biking

Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe offer the most extensive bicycle paths. The Indian Bend Greenbelt in Scottsdale is a 15-mile city loop. In Phoenix, the Highline Bike Path starts at Baseline and 40th Street and winds through South Mountain Park to San Juan Point. Upon return, you have covered a total of 20 miles. Other popular bicycling routes include the city canal banks and rural highways to Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Wickenburg.

Please contact these offices for maps and other information:
Phoenix Parks and Recreation - (602) 262-6861
Tempe Community Development Department - (480) 350-5200
Scottsdale Recreation Division - (480) 312-2304

Snow Skiing in the Desert

Even though you’re enjoying and residing in the warm Desert sun, there are four snow ski areas in the state that are all easily accessible and all allow you to be on the slopes in a matter of hours.

In the Flagstaff area, there is the Fairfield Snowbowl on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks, Sunrise, and Bill Williams Mountain. Additionally, Sunrise Ski Area - offering the state's most extensive facility - is located 200 miles northeast of Phoenix on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Cross-country skiing is plentiful, to the north and northeast of Phoenix, with popular trails near Flagstaff, Mormon Kale, Greer, and Springerville.

Fishing & Boating

The most popular Phoenix-based boating areas are found along the Chain of Lakes - Saguaro, Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt Lakes in the Salt River Valley and the Verde River Valley - Horseshoe and Bartlett Lakes. Additionally, Firebird Lake, on the Gila Indian Reservation south of Phoenix, is a small man-made lake devoted exclusively to commercial sporting events. Another site is Lake Pleasant, to the northwest of Phoenix along the Aqua Fria River. San Carlos Lake is 200 miles east of Phoenix on the Apache Reservation. In northern and eastern Arizona, Lake Powell, Lake Mead and Lake Havasu and areas along the Colorado River that welcome water sports enthusiasts.

Equine World and Horseback Riding


The Scottsdale All-Arabian Horse Show continues to be a tremendous success. In recent years, the event brought the 10-day attendance figure to an estimated 350,000 to 400,000. The 41st edition of America's largest horse show brings in more than $17 million into Scottsdale's economy.


For information regarding horseback riding in Phoenix and surrounding areas, please see the following; (just to name a few):

Arizona Horseback Vacations (602) 982-7822, 5580 S. Kings Ranch Rd. #3 Gold Canyon, AZ 85218. For all you city slickers see Arizona in a way few have seen it. Overnight rides with large tents and fuzzy sleeping bags with fresh liners.

Arizona Horseback Rides
44029 N. Spur Cross Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ
480-488-9117
800-758-9530

Cave Creek Outfitters
31313 N. 144th Street - Scottsdale, Arizona 85262
Office: (480) 471-4635 - Mobile: 1-(602)-531-7447

Don Donnelly Stables 480-982-7822, 6010 S. King’s Ranch Rd., Gold Canyon 85219. 35 minutes east of Phoenix airport in the beautiful foothills of the Superstition Mountains. A full service riding stable, offering everything from two-hour rides to eight-day vacations.

MacDonald’s Ranch, Inc. 480-585-0239, 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85255. Guided trail rides for any number. Hayrides catered or not catered. Meal rides for groups of seven or more. Reservations recommended.

Cell: 602.885.1414 | Email: pamfain@cox.net

An independently owned and operated member of Equitable Sotheby's International Realty.