Exploring along the Scottsdale Greenbelt with kids is a super fun free family activity in Phoenix!
The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt (more commonly called the Scottsdale Greenbelt, or The Greenbelt) is the closest bike path to our home. While we haven’t biked all 11 miles at once, we have done portions, usually those near parks (Chaparral Park) or coffee shops (Lakeview Coffee).
It is a two lane path that meanders by golf courses and lakes (Lake Marguerite is a favorite!) and is pretty scenic. The starting point is near the Scottsdale Mustang Library, at 90th and Shea, and it runs south almost to the 101/202 intersection! You can access the Arizona Canal Trail and the Rio Salado Path for further exploring.
Probably one of our favorite adventures on this trail started at Indian School Park. We left the car in the parking lot and biked west into Old Town Scottsdale. We had a lovely breakfast at the Breakfast Club, then continued a bit more west to Arizona Canal Trail. We took that north, all the way to MacDonald Drive, headed east almost to Scottsdale Road where we connected to the Scottsdale Greenbelt to head south and back to our car. Total was almost 10 miles.
There are lot of playgrounds along the route if you want to ride and play. Of course we have been to all of them, and have more information on each park for you to read about if you need help deciding where to start or stop. In order of north to south, the parks with playgrounds includes:
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
The city of Scottsdale has a handy interactive map that may be useful for determining what access point is closest for your family. (It is best viewed on a laptop.)
More Fun Exploring the Scottsdale Greenbelt With Kids
Other fun things to discover along the path include four golf courses (McCormick Ranch Golf Club, Silverado Golf Course, Continental Golf Club and Coronado Golf Course), Civic Center and Mustang Library, and Wedge Skate Park. There is also Civic Center Mall which includes: city hall, the Civic Center Library, fountains, lagoon, outdoor amphitheater, the LOVE sculpture, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Center for The Performing Arts.
Tips for traveling the 11 mile path:
- Start at one of the many parks for convenient parking.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks. I always have wipes, hand sanitizer, plenty of the kids fav snacks and Go Go Squeeze pouches because they are great for hydration too. My kids LOVE drinking out of my water bottles so I often fill them with ice to help keep the water cold along the ride.
- Check out places to eat or drink before hand, you can fill up and then go for a ride, or ride to your destination.
- Wear sunscreen, a helmet and ride, drive or walk safe along the path!
