In Arizona, the question isn’t only where to work out. It’s when. From late spring to early fall, the middle of the day is dangerous for hard exercise outside, and Phoenix closes some of its busiest trails on the worst days. The good news is that the state’s two biggest metro areas have free options for both the cool hours and the hot ones.
At a glance
- Tucson Community Pass
- Free; includes weight rooms at 8 rec centers [6]
- The Loop (Pima County)
- About 140 miles of paved shared-use path [5]
- Phoenix preserves
- 41,000+ acres, 200+ miles of trails [2]
- Phoenix heat-day trail closures
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Extreme Heat Warning days [3]
- Arizona State Parks annual pass
- $200 [1]
Tucson: a free pass to city weight rooms
Tucson has one of the best free deals in the state. The city’s Community Pass costs nothing, and the city says “facility access includes use of the weight rooms and other amenities” at eight recreation centers: Fred Archer, Cherry Avenue, El Rio, Freedom, Marty Birdman, Oury, Quincie Douglas and Santa Rosa [6]. Programs with their own fees still cost extra [6].
If you want the bigger regional centers, such as El Pueblo, Udall or Clements, you need a paid Universal Pass [6].
| Pass | City resident | Regular rate |
|---|---|---|
| Community Pass (8 centers) | Free | Free |
| Universal daily | $2 | $3 |
| Universal quarterly | $51 | $76.50 |
| Universal annual | $195 | $292.50 |
| Restricted annual (Donna Liggins, Randolph) | $88 | $132 |
| Senior Activity Card, annual | $25 | $37.50 |
The Senior Activity Card covers fitness rooms and indoor walking tracks only on senior club meeting days. Other days cost extra [6].
The Loop: 140 miles of paved path around Tucson
Pima County’s Chuck Huckelberry Loop, usually just called The Loop, is about 140 miles of paved, shared-use paths and short buffered bike lanes [5]. It runs through unincorporated Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley and other parts of the metro area [5]. The county’s page lists no fee to use it.
Most of The Loop is off-street path, which makes it a good place for long walks, runs and rides. On summer days, plan to be off it before the sun gets high.
Phoenix: mountain preserves, with heat-day rules
The City of Phoenix manages more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves, with 200-plus miles of trails [2]. That includes Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain.
Phoenix runs a Trail Heat Safety Program. On days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, these trails close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. [3]:
- Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon and Cholla trails
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve: Piestewa Peak Summit trail and nearby trails
- South Mountain: Holbert, Mormon and Hau’pal Loop trails, plus National Trail access from the Pima Canyon Trailhead
Other trails stay open, including the National Trail from other trailheads [3]. Still, an open trail isn’t a safe trail in 110-degree heat.
The city’s “Take a Hike. Do it Right.” checklist is worth following any time of year [4]:
- Hike when it’s cool, early in the morning or in the evening.
- Wear proper shoes, a hat and sunscreen.
- Carry more water than you think you need, and head back to the trailhead “before you drink all of your water.”
- Carry a phone, and tell someone where you’re going if you hike alone.
- Don’t push yourself, and stay on marked trails.
The city says more than 200 hikers are rescued from its desert and mountain parks every year [3].
Arizona State Parks
The state park system charges by vehicle or by person. A single $200 annual pass covers day use [1].
| Park | One person in a vehicle | Vehicle, 2 to 4 people | Walk-in or bicycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Dutchman (Apache Junction) | $10 | $20 | $5 |
| Catalina (north of Tucson) | $10 | $20 | $5 |
| Picacho Peak (between the two) | $10 | $20 | $5 |
If you’d visit these parks more than about ten times a year as a carload, the $200 pass pays for itself. Military members get a break: active duty, Reserve and National Guard members get 50% off day-use entry, as do retired and service-disabled veterans, and 100% disabled veterans get a free day-use pass. The discount covers the pass holder and up to three adults with them [1].
Monsoon season: storms, lightning and washes
The National Weather Service defines Arizona’s monsoon as June 15 through September 30 [7]. Storms tend to build in the afternoon and evening. The Tucson office advises hikers and mountain bikers to head out earlier in the day, to know their escape routes, and to be ready to climb to higher ground [7]. It also warns against parking or camping in or along washes [7].
A year-round plan
- Cooler months: This is when Arizona’s trails shine. Use the preserves, The Loop and the state parks.
- May to September: Exercise at sunrise, or move indoors. A free Tucson Community Pass weight room is a good backup on hot days.
- Every week: The CDC says adults need 150 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days [8]. Vigorous activity counts at about twice the rate [8].
Sources
- Arizona State Parks, Fee schedule
- City of Phoenix, Hiking and trails
- City of Phoenix, Trail Heat Safety Program
- City of Phoenix, Take a Hike. Do it Right.
- Pima County, The Chuck Huckelberry Loop
- City of Tucson, Center Passes
- National Weather Service Tucson, Monsoon safety
- CDC, Physical activity guidelines for adults
Common questions
Which Phoenix trails close on hot days?
On days the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, Phoenix closes Echo Canyon and Cholla at Camelback, the Piestewa Peak Summit trail and nearby trails, and several South Mountain trails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Is there a free gym in Tucson?
Yes. The City of Tucson's Community Pass is free and includes the weight rooms at eight recreation centers, including Fred Archer, El Rio and Quincie Douglas. Classes with their own fees still cost extra.
How much is an Arizona State Parks annual pass?
$200, according to the Arizona State Parks fee schedule.
When is monsoon season in Arizona?
The National Weather Service defines it as June 15 through September 30. Afternoon and evening storms bring lightning and flash floods, so hike and ride early.