Arizona cycling in numbers
30%
Bike ownership
1,320
Miles of trails
33
State parks
37
Bike friendliness score
Arizona from a cyclist's perspective
Arizona serves up a rare blend of high desert vistas, red rock country, saguaro forests, and piney highlands, giving cyclists four distinct feels within a day’s drive and making the state a year‑round ride if you chase the seasons between low and high country.
For destination rides, Tucson’s signature Loop stands out as a car‑free backbone that strings together parks, public art, and neighborhoods in a way that invites both exploration and everyday utility, earning a reputation as one of the country’s most loved urban trail systems.
Up north, the Grand Canyon’s greenway segments offer an approachable rim‑side cruise with iconic views, a gentle counterpoint to the canyon’s epic scale, and a rare national‑park setting where bikes feel truly invited onto separated paths.
Mountain bikers flock to Sedona for its sculpted slickrock and rust‑toned singletrack, and even the state park connectors like the Lime Kiln Trail underscore how quickly you can link into classic red‑rock terrain from a managed trailhead.
For longer dirt adventures, the Black Canyon Trail rolls through classic Sonoran desert and is popular as both a stout day ride and an approachable bikepacking line, while the Arizona Trail remains the state’s big‑canvas traverse, mixing singletrack and rugged connectors from Mexico to Utah for riders prepared for remote terrain and logistics.
Prescott’s rail‑trail duo—the Peavine and adjoining Iron King—threads through the fantastical boulders of the Granite Dells on wide, welcoming surfaces, a pairing that’s earned national acclaim and offers an easygoing counterbalance to Arizona’s rockier fare.
In the Phoenix metro, a lattice of paved multiuse paths provides crucial low‑stress corridors through a region built around big arterials, with the Indian Bend Wash, the New River Trail, and the Rio Salado Pathway linking parks, neighborhoods, and entertainment districts across multiple cities.
Tempe Town Lake is a particularly friendly hub for skinny‑tire riders, with smooth, wide paths on both shores and easy connections into the broader east‑valley network for those stringing together after‑work loops or social spins.
City by city, Tucson feels the most turnkey for everyday cycling thanks to its cohesive off‑street spine and the way it naturally connects to daily errands and weekend rambles without tangling with fast traffic.
Greater Phoenix is improving and rewarding when you route along canals and river parks, and places like Scottsdale and Tempe shine where those paths concentrate, but riders still benefit from planning cross‑town trips around the greenways to keep the experience calm and connected.
Round it out with day trips that start in state parks—Catalina, Dead Horse Ranch, and Oracle all make solid gateways into bigger trail networks—and you have a state where the variety of landscapes is matched by the variety of ways to ride them.
Arizona Cycling Weather
Arizona has a hot, arid climate with long, dry summers, mild winters, and plenty of sunshine year-round.
Sunny days a year
300
Riding season
Oct - Apr
300 sunny days a year
Riding season
Arizona Cycling Destinations
The Chuck Huckelberry Loop
Tucson’s signature Loop is a cohesive web of separated multiuse paths encircling the city along river washes, linking parks, neighborhoods, and trailheads without traffic stress or complicated wayfinding. The surface is paved and well‑signed, with gentle grades that make it friendly for commuters, fitness riders, and families stringing together scenic segments along the Rillito, Santa Cruz, and Pantano corridors. Art installations and frequent amenities punctuate the route, turning practical connections into a stitched‑together tour of the city’s open spaces and cultural touchpoints. The experience scales nicely: casual riders can sample out‑and‑back sections, while distance seekers can combine long loops across the broader network for an all‑day ramble. In a state known for big climbs and rocky trails, this is Arizona’s most approachable long ride, ideal for building confidence or recovering between harder mountain days. Wayfinding is straightforward via county maps and on‑path wayfinding, and access is abundant from parks and community centers along the washes.
Indian Bend Wash Path
This linear greenbelt threads through a ribbon of parks, lakes, and golf fairways, carving an oasis of calm across the heart of Scottsdale and into Tempe with uninterrupted riding and frequent shade breaks. The paved path’s defining feature is separation from traffic and a series of grade‑separated crossings that keep momentum smooth at busy arterials, ideal for steady‑state spins or social rides. Connections to Eldorado Park, Chaparral Park, and the Tempe Town Lake area make it easy to layer in coffee stops, errands, or detours to cultural venues without leaving the protected corridor. Access is straightforward from multiple trailheads and neighborhood parks, and the route can be stitched into canal paths for longer Phoenix‑area rides. For visiting cyclists, it’s the easiest way to get quality miles while acclimating to desert conditions before tackling rougher terrain elsewhere in the state. The combination of water features and tree canopy creates a uniquely lush feel compared to most Valley riding, particularly attractive during warmer months and shoulder seasons.
Saguaro National Park East
The Cactus Forest Loop Drive in Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Mountain District is an 8‑mile paved, one‑way scenic loop that undulates past towering saguaros, cholla gardens, and ocotillo stands, making it a compact, roller‑coaster‑style circuit that’s perfect for leg‑opening efforts and steady aerobic work. Riders experience continuous rhythm changes—short climbs, swooping descents, and tight turns—so pacing and braking control matter as much as watts, and winter visitors particularly appreciate how this loop delivers uninterrupted desert immersion with minimal navigation complexity. It’s also a practical training venue thanks to reliable road access and park infrastructure, and those seeking variety can pair it with gravel options elsewhere in the park system, though the east loop itself remains a paved showcase of classic Sonoran scenery that rewards multiple laps for volume.
Sedona: Hiline Loop
Sedona’s Hiline is an iconic advanced route pairing exposed slickrock, stair‑step ledges, and punchy climbs with skyline views of cathedral spires and rust‑red mesas, rewarding skilled riders with a high‑consequence, high‑payoff tour of the Red Rock District’s most photogenic terrain. A popular Hiline loop variant clocks about 10.2 miles with roughly 1,218 ft of elevation gain, blending technical descents and ridge riding with classic connections that deliver continuous engagement and a premium sense of place in Sedona’s stacked trail network. Because Hiline includes double‑black features and meaningful exposure, route‑finding, dismount discipline, and conservative line choice are essential for first‑timers, and those building skills might sample recommended West Sedona tours before committing to this advanced benchmark.
Black Canyon Trail (IMBA Epic)
The Black Canyon Trail is a 76‑mile IMBA Epic that threads Sonoran Desert hillsides on near‑continuous singletrack, delivering a winter‑friendly point‑to‑point known for saguaro forests, sweeping canyon views, and rhythmic flow that builds from Spring Valley toward Bumble Bee and beyond. With roughly 4,858 ft of total ascent and 100% singletrack character, it’s typically tackled as a three‑day bikepacking itinerary to enjoy the terrain, manage water logistics, and handle seasonal heat, with a common north‑to‑south shuttle improving ride flow. Segment options around Table Mesa, Bumble Bee, and other access points allow day‑ride sampling, while route guides and local clubs highlight river crossings on the Agua Fria and advise careful planning around weather and hydration to keep the experience smooth and safe.
Mingus Mountain via SR‑89A
Mingus Mountain via Highway 89A is a central‑Arizona classic that strings a historic mining town approach with sustained gradients, delivering 12.2 miles at a 5.1% average to gain about 3,465 ft from the Verde Valley into the pines. The climb passes through restored Jerome roughly halfway, where the switchbacks and vantage points open vast views over the plains toward the Sedona plateaus, making the effort as scenic as it is aerobic. It’s a lesser‑known gem compared to the state’s marquee ascents, but the scenery, steady profile, and rewarding summit environment make it a compelling target for visitors basing out of Sedona or Prescott who want a big, quiet road effort nearby.
Arizona Cycling Events
Cycling is very popular in Arizona, there’s a cycling event for every type of rider.
El Tour de Tucson
Arizona’s signature mass‑participation ride fills Tucson’s streets each fall, drawing a deep field of locals and visiting cyclists for a festive day that winds through desert washes, downtown murals, and views of the Catalina foothills on largely flat to rolling terrain suited to a wide range of abilities. Courses traditionally include a century‑class route plus shorter options, with staffed aid, police support, and an expo that makes the weekend feel like a regional cycling holiday rather than just a ride. Expect lively start corrals, packed finish‑line energy, and a course that rewards steady pacing over punchy power. The event’s inclusive vibe keeps tandems, e‑bikes, newcomers, and veterans all in the mix. It’s the state’s must‑experience gran fondo and a perfect anchor for a riding getaway in the Sonoran Desert.
Event website
24 Hours in the Old Pueblo
One of the world’s largest 24‑hour MTB events, 24HOP sends solo and team riders onto a fast, rolling desert loop to tally as many laps as possible between high‑noon Saturday and high‑noon Sunday. The flowy singletrack, sandy washes, and loose‑over‑hard corners demand smooth handling by day and solid light setups by night, with fatigue management and pit strategy separating contenders in the final hours. Course variations typically clock around 16–16.6 miles per lap, with event timing and lap‑logging handled from “24‑Hour Town” for an immersive festival atmosphere in the high Sonoran Desert.
Event website
Whiskey Off‑Road
Prescott’s downtown‑to‑backcountry MTB classic serves up altitude, granite, and pine with “15, 30, and 50 Proof” distances that climb from Whiskey Row into the Prescott National Forest before a raucous finish on the bricks. The hallmark 50‑Proof route is nearly 46.3 miles with a stout ~6,513 ft of gain, while shorter distances concentrate the same punchy climbing and technical flavor at lower volume. With one to three prolonged climbs depending on distance, acclimatization and pacing are essential, and race‑week guides emphasize sustained efforts of 30–90 minutes per climb to dial preparation. Expect big crowds, live music, and a festive scene that frames serious singletrack racing.
Event website
Mount Lemmon Gravel Grinder
The MLGG leverages the storied “backside” Control Road of Mt. Lemmon for a gravel showcase that mixes long dirt climbs, rugged descents, and spectacular Sky Island scenery across multiple course options. Main event distances typically include 60, 50, and 40 miles, with an optional 18‑mile out‑and‑back adding an extra 2,800 ft over 9 miles for those chasing a true epic. Expect extended gravel sectors, changing surfaces, and altitude effects as the course stair‑steps toward pine forest before a rewarding, technical return, all supported by dedicated aid and a well‑oiled event crew. It’s a premier desert‑to‑mountain gravel test anchored by a polished production.
Event website
Tour of the White Mountains
This high‑country singletrack classic offers 9‑, 35‑, and ~50‑mile options on the Los Burros and country‑club pine trails of Arizona’s White Mountains, pairing cooler temps with buff forest riding. The 50‑mile Challenge is the marquee test, stacking roughly 3,916 ft of climbing across a scenic loop with aid stations spaced about every 10 miles to keep riders fueled. With family‑friendly shorter routes and a welcoming staging area, it’s a versatile fall event that suits first‑timers and seasoned endurance riders alike seeking hero‑dirt turns and steady altitude fitness. Expect classic Southwestern singletrack, clear signage, and a community‑forward vibe.
Event website
Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona
Known as the “Hell of the North Desert,” the Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona is one of the state’s most technical and stamina-testing mixed-surface events. Held in Cave Creek, it blends gravel sectors, rocky unmaintained roads, steep desert climbs and segments of singletrack, all framed by the rugged Sonoran foothills. Riders face constantly shifting surfaces — washboard gravel, sand, limestone-covered pitches and fast rolling pavement — demanding sharp pacing and bike handling. The event attracts elite endurance racers and adventurous cyclists looking to push beyond traditional road riding. Despite its difficulty, BWR is celebrated for its fun, festival-like atmosphere, complete with waffles, beer, music and a strong sense of camaraderie.
Event websiteArizona's best bike insurance
No matter where your adventures take you, protect your bicycle and yourself from the unexpected with America's best bike insurance.
Free instant quote
Why Velosurance is best for your bicycle
Not all types of insurance are created equal. Velosurance levels the playing field by offering stand-alone bicycle coverage, where claims won’t affect your homeowner's or renter’s policy premiums.
| Policy Coverage |  | Homeowner/Renters Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Insured at Full Value | Yes | Possibly |
| Crash Damage | Yes | No |
| Theft Coverage | Yes | Limited |
| Theft by Force | Yes | No |
| Theft of Accessories | Yes | Limited |
| Theft Away From Home | Yes | Possibly |
| Vehicle Contact | Yes | No |
| Personal Liability | Yes | Possibly |
| Permissive Use Policy | Yes | No |
| Replacement Rental | Yes | No |
| Event Fee Return | Yes | No |
| Cycling Apparel Coverage | Yes | No |
| Medical Payments | Yes | Possibly |
| Racing Coverage | Yes | No |
| E-bikes | Yes | No |
| Coverage in-transit | Yes | No |
| USAC, USAT and IMBA Member Discount | Yes | No |
| FREE INSTANT QUOTE |
Not all insurance policies provide the same level of protection, and many people only discover gaps in their coverage after filing a claim. We’ve done the hard work of reviewing the fine print. To see how plans compare, check out our insurance comparison.
Client satisfaction is our #1 goal. Here's what our clients say about Velosurance
Check out Velosurance reviews to see what people are saying about us.
Contact Us
'Convinced yet? Let's make something great together.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.'
Arizona's best bike insurance
No matter where your adventures take you, protect your bicycle and yourself from the unexpected with America's best bike insurance.