park recommendations?

Question

Hi. Two adults will be visiting in mid-February and staying near a friend at the Homewood Suites Chandler on Detroit Street. We love hiking, birds, animals, biking, and kayaking. A night hike would be great, but I don't see it on the calendar for February at Usery Park. I see our flight doesn't land in time for this bird outing, that I think we would love: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/events/bird-meet-up-drop-in-no-registration-required/

Any recommendations for bike and kayak rentals in or near a scenic park?

Thanks.

Answer

Visiting the Phoenix area in mid-February is a great time for outdoor activities because temperatures are mild and the desert is blooming. Since you enjoy hiking, birds, animals, biking, and kayaking, there are several parks and rental options that can cater to your interests.

Park Recommendations:

Usery Mountain Regional Park: Located in Mesa, about a 20-minute drive from Chandler. Excellent for hiking with a variety of trails ranging from easy to moderate, great for birdwatching. While night hikes may not be scheduled in February, you can still hike at sunset for a similar experience.
Salt River Recreation Area: Offers scenic river views and wildlife spotting opportunities. This is ideal for kayaking and spotting birds along the riverbanks. It’s a very popular area for recreational float trips and guided kayak tours.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve: Located in Scottsdale, this preserve has over 200 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Trails are well-marked, and the landscape features impressive desert flora and fauna.
South Mountain Park and Preserve: One of the largest municipal parks in the U.S., offering hiking, biking trails, and scenic overlooks. Great place to spot wildlife and enjoy panoramic views of the valley.

Bike Rentals:

Desert Bicycle Tours: Located in Scottsdale, offers mountain bike rentals and guided tours in McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
AZ Bike Tours & Rentals: Phoenix-based rental service offering road bikes and mountain bikes, with delivery to nearby parks.
REI Phoenix: Provides a variety of rental bikes for road and mountain biking and has helpful staff for local trail advice.

Kayak Rentals:

Salt River Tubing & Kayak Rentals: Rentals directly on the Salt River, offers kayaks and paddleboards. Great for casual paddling with wildlife viewing opportunities.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park Rentals: About a 45-minute drive from Chandler, provides kayaks, paddleboards, and small motorboats. The lake has scenic desert surroundings and birdwatching opportunities.
Tempe Town Lake Rentals: Convenient and close, offers kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards. Ideal for a relaxed, scenic experience near downtown Tempe.

For birding and wildlife, early mornings at Usery Mountain or the Salt River area are the best times, even if you miss scheduled events. Sunset hikes can provide cooler temperatures and excellent photography opportunities. Renting a bike or kayak in advance, especially on weekends, is recommended to ensure availability.