Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake
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Enjoy leisurely strolls, bicycling, kayaking, standup paddleboard and more. There are more than 50 special events annually at Tempe Town Lake, from Ironman Arizona to great concerts, Way Out West Oktoberfest and dragon boat races. Stop by the Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge, Tempe Center for the Arts or just look at the artistic lights on the light rail bridge. Tempe Town Lake is Arizona's second-most visited public attraction.
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  • Brian Redd
    Phoenix, Arizona30 contributions
    Great Park in the Heart of Tempe
    Tempe Beach Park is a great place to catch some fresh air. It has a great walking and biking path that runs right along the "lake" water front and has large grass lawns to sit and relax. There is a rental shop on the lake that rents boats, kayaks, and paddle-boards. Tempe Beach Park is quite large, so I'd recommend downloading the app, Avem, to help you discover and find different park amenities.
    Visited April 2020
    Written April 26, 2020
  • Robert A
    Phoenix, Arizona3,466 contributions
    Better than Dry Salt "River"
    Kudos to Tempe developers for trying to up the ambiance of Tempe with some water in the creative lined "canal" of normally dry Salt "River" flash flood drainage. I hope the precious groundwater loss to evaporation is offset by the ambiance and developer-city dollar return...while it exist. Yes, Virginia, the climate is changing regardless of so many local deniers.
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 15, 2020
  • Howard S
    194 contributions
    Another outdoor activity to enjoy the perfect weather
    There were people enjoying all types of activities - my family and I decided to take a full circuit around the lake with a late evening stroll. There are very easily traveled walking paths and foot bridges for walking, but also plenty of room for rollerblading, skateboarding, biking, etc. Looking back at my phone the circuit we took around the lake was 1.6 miles - very easy to do on a comfortable winter evening of 70 degrees.
    Visited December 2021
    Written December 30, 2021
  • MimiGM
    Arizona19 contributions
    Great for walking
    Two days of pure walking up and down both sides of the lakes. It was a little chilly on a January morning but we warmed up quickly. The pedestrian bridge near the new dam is really neat. Check out the various bridges so you can walk BACK over the lake to the south shore. Be prepared for almost non-stop jet noise because the jets in and out of Sky Harbor Phoenix airport fly right over the lake. It wasn't too bad but if you're expecting a nice, peaceful, quiet walk, you will be disappointed. And, very few bathrooms! Beauitful office buildings, apartments, condos, etc. Lots of new construction.
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 14, 2020
  • TravelsHobby
    286 contributions
    Spectacular Sunset
    During my recent work related visit to Tempe, I came across this attraction by chance. I had a couple of hours spare time after work and I asked a local hotel staff for a recommendation. It was kind of cold that evening but I definitely enjoyed by leisure walk by the lake. The parking was convenient and free. There were few people taking stroll by the lake and it was about the sunset time. The sunset was so beautiful all around. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys nature. I wasn't here on a warm day or did n't do anything else so can;t comment on that but sunset definitely impressed me.
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 9, 2020
  • Bobbie C
    Sun City, Arizona899 contributions
    Nice relief
    Tired of being cooped up in the house with covid 19 hibernating, we decided to go for a drive. We ended up in Tempe Home Lake Park. It was nice to water and see how people were enjoying being outside in mild summer weather, after such a hot summer. Folks were walking dogs, renting paddle boards along with dragon and swan pedal crafts. This is a scenic place...a place to spend some peaceful time.
    Visited September 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 30, 2020
  • Hot-Tati
    Gilbert, Arizona780 contributions
    Boats 4 Rent dot Com is the way to see the lake
    Get o the water and see the lake from another perspective. In all the years I have lived here I have only paddle boarded the water to the east side. I finally got to experience the West sideof the town lake on "Daffy" Duck the peddal boat. We did 1 hour for $40. It was a kot of fun We got lucky wiht the weather and the time we hit the water was perfect (5 pm) tempe Town Lake has so much to offer. Wide cement walkways perfect for runners, walkers even Tik Tok dance teams. lots of action going on here. The bathrooms are kinds sketchy tho. Highly recommend the park for a variety of moments, dates, and events. Definetly do the boats or Paddleboards. The variety of scenery and vintages of the bridges is a very cool thing for architecture buffs and photographers
    Visited March 2021
    Written March 19, 2021
  • BearsCubsFan
    Naperville, Illinois228 contributions
    Always lots of action
    I am staying near here for the winter and I love all of the activity going on here. Walking, running, biking (they can be obnoxious...like its a race or something) & scooters. On the lake there are paddle boards, pedal boats and rowing. Currently there are so many pelicans to watch, It is great to see people outside getting sunshine and exercise. It is in the flight path so many planes overhead.
    Visited January 2020
    Written February 6, 2020
  • Debra C
    49 contributions
    Enjoyable walk around the lake
    Sunny breezy walk around the lake one February morning. Stopped along the way at the Tempe Arts Center to investigate for a future event night and found a gallery to visit. Along with a host of events to enjoy at a later date. COntinued across the pedestrian bridge to the other side walking full circle by crossing another shared pedestrian/auto bridge back to downtown Tempe. Be sure to check out the art along the trail as review the interesting info and history on display about the dam. Rental bikes/kayaks and more are available along the shore.
    Visited February 2020
    Written March 5, 2020
  • Hank956
    Brownsville, Texas1,101 contributions
    lake retreat
    Take time to visit enjoy the lake enemeties. The great walking trails on the north and south shores. The south shore has the Tempe Beach Park but it is a pain right now due to the street construction. Late evening walk is a great time to walk the trails. Did not enjoy the water activities but others did. a nice place to cool off.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled solo
    Written February 15, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.0
316 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
122
Average
42
Poor
9
Terrible
6

MimiGM
Arizona19 contributions
Jan 2020
Two days of pure walking up and down both sides of the lakes. It was a little chilly on a January morning but we warmed up quickly. The pedestrian bridge near the new dam is really neat. Check out the various bridges so you can walk BACK over the lake to the south shore. Be prepared for almost non-stop jet noise because the jets in and out of Sky Harbor Phoenix airport fly right over the lake. It wasn't too bad but if you're expecting a nice, peaceful, quiet walk, you will be disappointed. And, very few bathrooms! Beauitful office buildings, apartments, condos, etc. Lots of new construction.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelsHobby
Edison, NJ286 contributions
Feb 2020
During my recent work related visit to Tempe, I came across this attraction by chance. I had a couple of hours spare time after work and I asked a local hotel staff for a recommendation. It was kind of cold that evening but I definitely enjoyed by leisure walk by the lake. The parking was convenient and free. There were few people taking stroll by the lake and it was about the sunset time. The sunset was so beautiful all around. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys nature. I wasn't here on a warm day or did n't do anything else so can;t comment on that but sunset definitely impressed me.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bobbie C
Sun City, AZ899 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Tired of being cooped up in the house with covid 19 hibernating, we decided to go for a drive. We ended up in Tempe Home Lake Park. It was nice to water and see how people were enjoying being outside in mild summer weather, after such a hot summer. Folks were walking dogs, renting paddle boards along with dragon and swan pedal crafts. This is a scenic place...a place to spend some peaceful time.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hot-Tati
Gilbert, AZ780 contributions
Mar 2021
Get o the water and see the lake from another perspective. In all the years I have lived here I have only paddle boarded the water to the east side. I finally got to experience the West sideof the town lake on "Daffy" Duck the peddal boat. We did 1 hour for $40. It was a kot of fun We got lucky wiht the weather and the time we hit the water was perfect (5 pm) tempe Town Lake has so much to offer. Wide cement walkways perfect for runners, walkers even Tik Tok dance teams. lots of action going on here. The bathrooms are kinds sketchy tho. Highly recommend the park for a variety of moments, dates, and events. Definetly do the boats or Paddleboards. The variety of scenery and vintages of the bridges is a very cool thing for architecture buffs and photographers
Written March 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BearsCubsFan
Naperville, IL228 contributions
Jan 2020
I am staying near here for the winter and I love all of the activity going on here. Walking, running, biking (they can be obnoxious...like its a race or something) & scooters. On the lake there are paddle boards, pedal boats and rowing. Currently there are so many pelicans to watch, It is great to see people outside getting sunshine and exercise. It is in the flight path so many planes overhead.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debra C
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States49 contributions
Feb 2020
Sunny breezy walk around the lake one February morning. Stopped along the way at the Tempe Arts Center to investigate for a future event night and found a gallery to visit. Along with a host of events to enjoy at a later date. COntinued across the pedestrian bridge to the other side walking full circle by crossing another shared pedestrian/auto bridge back to downtown Tempe. Be sure to check out the art along the trail as review the interesting info and history on display about the dam. Rental bikes/kayaks and more are available along the shore.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hank956
Brownsville, TX1,101 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Take time to visit enjoy the lake enemeties.

The great walking trails on the north and south shores.

The south shore has the Tempe Beach Park but it is a pain right now due to the street construction.

Late evening walk is a great time to walk the trails.

Did not enjoy the water activities but others did.

a nice place to cool off.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Blake W
Bellevue, WA80 contributions
Mar 2020
This is a great place for a stroll or jog. You can rent boats or just sit and soak up the sun. However, if you need a restroom you won’t find one here! Is this a way to keep homeless out of the area or just an oversight?
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bettergolf123
2 contributions
Jun 2022
Let me start by saying I love this place and I bike ride walk and fish Here all the time. or at least I used to. over the last two years the homeless problem has gotten ridiculous there is an encampment at the spillway end of the lake that is huge And there are no bathrooms for these people so guess where that stuff is going yes into the lake Soon as the monsoon season starts all of it will flow into the lake along with the garbage that is created by this camp. The pictures I left only show one small piece of the homeless encampment It goes on for a 1/2 mile. It was terrible,,, garbage everywhere It is important to note that this area is not in plain view of the general public But the general public We'll see the effects When water starts to flow in from the spillway yuck. Come on City of Tempe This is a health concern for the lake
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cohoman
Sammamish, WA1,981 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
My family visited the Tempe Beach Park on a Thursday afternoon. We parked in the paid parking lot ($2/hr) and walked East down the river walk. Since it was the week of Christmas there wasn't a lot of people at the park or riverwalk. Plenty of Bird Scooters available to rent and ride. Paddle boats, donut boats, etc were available for rent, but they were a bit expensive. We didnt find much to do here, so we walked into downtown Tempe to check out the shops and eateries. Definitely a nice place to enjoy the sunshine.
Written December 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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