Phoenix, Arizona

The Arizona Canal Trail is a 25-mile long system of paved and unpaved trails that crosses through the northern side of the Phoenix area. The trail follows alongside the Arizona Canal through Glendale, Phoenix and Scottsdale. The route of the Arizona Canal Trail passes by multiple parks and schools and has underpasses for most major intersections.

Skunk Creek Trail

Skunk Creek Trail is a paved and unpaved system of trails located in Glendale and Peoria in the northwest portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The trail system spans for about 5.5 miles along Skunk Creek.

The Skunk Creek Trail connects to the New River Trail and to the Arizona Canal Trail which reaches as far as Scottsdale.

The southwest end of the Skunk Creek Trail is located at its junction with the New River Trail at Rio Vista Community Park. The park is located just west of Highway 101 and north of W. Thunderbird Road. The Skunk Creek Trail heads off to the northeast from the park. There are also access paths to the Skunk Creek Trail at N 83rd Avenue. The northeast end of the Skunk Creek Trail is located at N. 51st Avenue, a half mile south of the intersection with Highway 101.

New River Trail

The New River Trail is a 10-mile long paved multi-use pathway system located in Peoria, Arizona, in the northwest portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. It follows the route of New River as it wanders through the business and residential areas to the northwest of Highway 101. New River is a natural drainage way, rather than channelized, so there is more greenery and opportunities to view wildlife.

The New River Trail connects to the Skunk Creek Trail which then connects to the Arizona Canal Trail which then reaches as far as Scottsdale.

The southwest end of the New River Trail is located at W. Olive Avenue, one mile west of Highway 101. At this location there is an underpass and access paths for W. Olive Avenue. From here the paved trail follows the west bank of the river. The route heads north from this point. The trail has an underpass and access paths for W. Peoria Avenue. The north end of the New River Trail is at a point 0.5 miles north of the underpass at W. Deer Valley Road.

Grand Canal Trail

The Grand Canal Trail is a 25-mile long system of paved and unpaved trails located in Glendale and Phoenix that travels through the middle of the metropolitan area. For most of the way, the trail follows alongside the Grand Canal through residential and business districts. It connects to the New River Trail then goes past the University of Phoenix Stadium near Highway 101 and extends east to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Grand Canal Trail goes by multiple schools and parks, but It does have numerous roadway crossings at street level.

Indian Bend Wash Trail

The Indian Bend Wash Trail is an 18-mile long paved trail that extends from E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road to Tempe Town Lake Salt River, through Scottsdale and Tempe on the east side of the Phoenix metro area. The north portion of the trail crosses the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct and goes through Horizon Park. From this point, the trail heads south through the residential areas of Scottsdale. The route passes several parks and golf courses. the south end of the Indian Bend Wash Trail meets up with trails in the Tempe area and come near the Arizona Canal Trail.

Cave Creek Wash Trail

The Cave Creek Wash Trail is a 4-mile long system of paved trails that run alongside Cave Creek through the middle of Phoenix. The north end is located at Cave Creek Golf Course, near N. 19th Avenue. The trail then travels south. South of W. Thunderbird Road, the pathway splits and goes through Cave Creek Park.

The south end of the Cave Creek Wash Trail is at the junction with the Arizona Canal Trail at Rose Mofford Park on N. 25th Avenue.

Tempe Town Lake Trails

There are several paved and unpaved multi-use recreational paths around the Tempe Town Lake on the Salt River just south of Red Mountain Freeway. You can stroll along either side of the lake or across the lake on the pedestrian bridge. This is the location of the Tempe Center for the Arts, Sun Devil Stadium, Wells Fargo Arena, Tempe Marketplace and Tempe Beach Park and is close to the Arizona State University Campus. Many other major trails meet at this location, including the Grand Canal Trail, the Indian Bend Wash Trail and the Crosscut Canal Trail.

Eastern Canal Trail

The Eastern Canal Trail is a 15-mile long paved and unpaved pathway located in the communities of Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler in the southeast portion of the Phoenix urban area. The trail follows the banks of the Easten Canal from N. Gilbert Road and E. McDowell Road in north Mesa to E. Riggs Road in Chandler.

Consolidated Canal Trail / Chandler Paseo Trail

The Consolidated Canal Trail / Chandler Paseo Trail is a 20-mile long paved and unpaved pathway located in the communities of Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler in the southeast portion of the Phoenix urban area. This trail is named different things in different cities, but forms one continuous trail. The trail follows the banks of the Consolidated Canal as it makes a huge loop through the residential areas. In most locations, trail users can travel along either side of the canal. The trail is paved in some sections.

AZ-15 Piestewa Freeway Trail

The AZ-51 Piestewa Freeway Trail is a paved pathway that follows alongside the Piestewa Freeway for 5.5 miles on the north side of the Phoenix area. The trail connects with pathways along the canals in the north and to walking trails along Stone Creek Golf Course on the south. The trail connects with pathways leading to major roadways, Paradise Valley Park and Venturoso Park along the way.