Introducing Scottsdale's new Bike | Pedestrian | Equestrian maps featuring multiuse paths, unpaved trails, and on-street bike lanes. Scottsdale's multifaceted trail system is a fun and convenient way to get around the city. From a leisurely bike ride along the world-famous Indian Bend Wash to a horseback ride in the McDowell Mountain Range, we've got you covered.

Scottsdale's Indian Bend Wash (IBW), Crosscut and Arizona Canal network of shared use paths provide fully accessible local and regional connectivity.

Indian Bend Wash (IBW) - Greenbelt

The IBW - Greenbelt was built in 1974 as a flood control basin, however, most of the year it serves as a gathering place hosting more than 1.4 M annual visitors. The lushly-landscaped greenbelt connects parks, lakes, golf courses, city libraries, and more. The path includes 24 grade-separated crossings allowing users to enjoy uninterrupted travel by avoiding major street crossings. The 11-mile path runs from Scottsdale's WestWorld to Tempe's Town Lake.

Arizona Canal Paths

At almost 70 miles long, the Arizona Canal path is one of the longest multi-use paths in Maricopa County. The path runs along both sides of the Arizona Canal and connects Scottsdale to Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. One of the highlights of this path is Scottsdale's Soleri Bridge and Canal Plaza entertainment and event venue.

Crosscut Canal

The Crosscut Canal path intersects with the Arizona Canal path near Indian School Rd. and 64th St. in southern Scottsdale. At 4.5-miles, the path runs along the canal bank through residential areas and offers connections to Scottsdale's popular Old Town shopping and entertainment area. The path ultimately winds its way through the Papago Park recreation area and ends in Tempe.

Scottsdale's neighborhood trail system provides valuable recreation and transportation opportunities for city residents and visitors. Our unpaved trails serve as transportation links between schools, neighborhoods, McDowell Sonoran Preserve trailheads, parks, places of employment and other areas of interest. Trails are a place for residents and visitors to spend time with friends and family in the beautiful Sonoran Desert in a peaceful and protected setting.

Scottsdale has 160 miles of trails with an additional 150 miles of trailways planned for future construction.

List of Unpaved Trails:

Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park - a desert botanical nature trail George "Doc" Cavalliere Park - a ¾ mile loop trail Mescal Park - a 1 mile loop trail for hikers and horseback riders Nature Park - a nature trail that runs along the Arizona Canal Stonegate Equestrian Park - a nature trail

Trail Resources

Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Scottsdale residents and visitors use the city's trail system for the same reason - to enjoy the outdoors and beauty of the Sonoran desert. Please help the city maintain our trail system by obeying all signs and acting responsibly when traveling on the trails.

The universal rule of trail courtesy is for all trail users to yield the right-of-way to horses, and for bicycle riders to yield to all other types of users. When approaching a person on horseback, speak in a soft voice to alert the horse and rider of your presence.

You can be fined up to $250 for driving a motorized vehicle on an unpaved trail in the city of Scottsdale. The city prohibits the use of motorized vehicles, including ATVs and motorcycles, on Scottsdale's trails and in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.