A desert oasis in the middle of the Phoenix Metropolitan area, Tempe Town Lake offers a variety of exciting events and activities to enjoy year-round. Tempe Town Lake, located adjacent to Downtown Tempe, provides a recreational haven for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, walking, fishing or picnicking.
NORTH SHORE BEACH
Visitors can enjoy a sandy patch of beach on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. You can access the North Shore Beach on the north side of the lake, located off Curry Rd. and Lake View Drive. Parking is free, and is located under the 202 freeway. There are several walking and biking paths accessible from this area as well. The Tempe Town Lake Beach Volleyball Courts are also nearby, for those more inclined to break a sweat in the sand. And if you’re bringing the kids, don’t forget the sand toys!
BOATING ON TEMPE TOWN LAKE
Boat Rentals of America – Tempe Town Lake, located on the south shore at Tempe Beach Park, offers visitors the opportunity to rent all kinds of watercraft.
Boats of all types can be rented here for 1-hour or 2-hour segments. Watercraft options available to rent include donut boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pontoon boats, pedal boats and electric boats.
The City of Tempe allows the public to use their own watercraft such as a kayak or stand-up paddleboard on Tempe Town Lake. However, the City of Tempe requires a permit for each privately owned watercraft. Apply for a permit online to enjoy the lake with your own equipment.
WALKING AND BIKING TRAILS
There is a scenic 7-mile loop around the lake that is perfect for walking, running or biking. The path goes from Priest Drive to Mill Avenue to Rural Road and continues on a well-marked path on the north and south sides of the lake. If you want to shorten the loop, take the pedestrian bridge near the Tempe Center for the Arts, connecting the north and south shores of the lake. Paths can also take pedestrians and bicyclists to nearby areas, including Tempe Marketplace, Downtown Tempe’s Mill Avenue, the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt and Papago Park.
If you don’t have a bike of your own, you can rent one from The Bicycle Cellar at the Tempe Transportation Center in Downtown Tempe, near the Veterans Way/College Ave. light rail stop. Or, rent a surrey bike from Tempe Boat Rentals.
Paths around Tempe Town Lake are open from 5 a.m. to midnight every day.
FISHING AT TEMPE TOWN LAKE
Get back to nature and spend a relaxing afternoon casting a line in Tempe Town Lake. The lake is continuously stocked with trout, bass, catfish and sunfish. An Arizona Fishing License is all that is required to go fishing at Tempe Town Lake. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or at any Arizona Game and Fish office and at most fishing supply or sporting good stores.
ATTRACTIONS NEAR TEMPE TOWN LAKE
Explore the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA). The free Gallery at the TCA features rotating exhibits year-round.
Go for a quick hike up nearby “A” Mountain. At the top, enjoy scenic views of Downtown Tempe and a 360-degree view of the valley. The trailhead is located near Third Street and Mill Avenue.
Ready for a bite to eat? Stroll over to Downtown Tempe to choose from a variety of tasty restaurants, cafés and taverns.
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