April 8 – 11, 2026 🌵 Tempe, AZ

A desert plant with Papago Park rock formations out of focus behind it at sunrise.

Explore The Urban Desert

Outdoor Guide

Find some fresh air and beautiful desert perspective, sometimes just steps away from Tempe Mission Palms.

0.1 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Hayden Butte

Also known as “A” Mountain, this short-but-steep hike offers spectacular views and a great way to see Greater Phoenix.

Beautiful desert sunrise seen from Hayden Butte facing East with a blue-to-orange gradient over the sky, Tempe Town Lake and parts of Arizona State University visible with the Greater Phoenix valley.
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0.5 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Tempe Beach Park

Popular waterfront park with trails, picnic spots, and event spaces along Tempe Town Lake. Boat and scooter rentals available.

A view overlooking Tempe Town Lake from Tempe Beach Park with a bridge and scooters by the surrounding path in view.
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2.8 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Hole in the Rock

Easy, short climb in Papago Park leading to a natural rock formation with panoramic views of the city and surrounding desert.

A sunset seen from Hole in The Rock with the top-third of the photo the top of the rock.
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3.0 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Desert Botanical Garden

Explore 50,000+ desert plants across themed trails, with mobility access throughout. Learn about desert ecosystems and enjoy seasonal exhibits.

Saguaro cactus in the Desert Botanical Garden.
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6.7 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Pima Canyon Trailhead

Starting point for South Mountain trails, offering various loops with scenic views, desert flora, and petroglyphs along the way.

A view from one of the summits in South Mountain overlooking Phoenix
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12.0 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Echo Canyon (Camelback Mountain)

Challenging trail featuring steep ascents and rocky scrambles, leading to panoramic views of the Phoenix Valley from Camelback’s summit.

A orange-brown desert rocky trail in the left half of the photo and cityscape below on the right seen from the Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain.
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11.7 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Cholla Trail (Camelback Mountain)

A slightly longer but less steep route up Camelback Mountain, offering spectacular valley views and a challenging but rewarding ascent.

A rocky mountain trail view from the Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain looking out over Scottsdale.
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11.0 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Piestewa Peak

Popular summit trail with moderate to steep sections, offering rewarding city views from one of Phoenix’s highest peaks.

A perspective shot looking up the steep, brown and green desert terrain at the Piestewa Peak summit in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
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12.0 miles from Tempe Mission Palms

Dobbins Lookout (South Mountain)

Scenic lookout on South Mountain accessible by a drive or moderate hike, offering expansive views of the Phoenix metro area.

A view of Phoenix from Dobbin's Lookout, with tree branches in the upper left corner over a blue sky and brown and tan city below.
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Sunset from the observation deck halfway up Hayden Butte
The Tempe Mission Palms before sunrise with a Valley METRO Light Rail train passing in front
Sunset over Tempe Town Lake
Sunrise on a dock off the walking path around Tempe Town Lake.
The Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain looking over Scottsdale, Arizona.
Sunset from Hole in the Rock in Papago Park.
Cactus at the Desert Botanical Garden,.
Sunrise by the entrance to the Phoenix Zoo.