No matter what kind of sun-soaked adventure you seek, you’ll find it in Surprise.
Thanks to a nearly endless supply of sunshine and close proximity to some of the Sonoran Desert’s most stunning sights, getting outside in Surprise is more than just a hobby — it’s a way of life. Here are a few of the best ways to make the most of your time in this veritable mecca for outdoor activities.
1. Serve It Up
One of the largest tennis complexes in the Southwest, the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex is home to 25 tennis courts, all of which feature lighting for night-play, along with pickleball courts, two indoor racquetball courts and a table tennis room. The public complex is an official partner of the United States Tennis Association and has played host to a variety of professional tournaments, including USTA Pro Circuit events, Champions Tour events, League National Championships in virtually every level, Junior Team Tennis National Championships and Tennis on Campus National Championships, as well as several NCAA conference championship events since opening in 2007.
If you prefer pickleball over tennis, there’s a place for that, too. Home to 16 dedicated pickleball courts — all of which are also lighted — the Surprise Community Park is a haven for fans of this fun game that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis.
2. Hit the Links
With eight courses to choose from, Surprise is a golf aficionado’s dream destination. Play a round at the Arizona Traditions Golf Club, a spectacular par-70 course that was designed in the traditional parkland style of older courses where fairways are adjacent to each other. Hundreds of mature pine trees, spectacular White Tank Mountain views and gently rolling terrain make this one of the most unique golf courses in greater Phoenix.
For a truly challenging day of play, the 18-hole Cimarron Golf Club is unmatched. Designed by the legendary course architect Greg Nash, the par-72 course features 6,809 yards of golf from the longest tees against a backdrop of stunning desert landscaping.
For one of Surprise’s newest courses, be sure to check out Sterling Grove Golf & Country Club. This world-class Nicklaus Design course draws inspiration from some of the world’s most famous courses. And there’s more than just 18 holes with grove-lined fairways — it’s also home to a state-of-the-art practice facility that includes an indoor golf simulator.
3. Take to the Trail
Whether you prefer exploring by two feet or four wheels, White Tank Mountain Regional Park is the perfect place for hiking and mountain biking. Spanning almost 30,000 acres, it’s Maricopa County’s largest regional park. With over 30 miles of shared-use trails, there are trails for every difficulty level — from easy options as short as 0.9 mile to more strenuous options as long as 7.9 miles.
The park’s deeply serrated peaks, ridges and canyons rise sharply from its base to peak at over 4,000 feet. Infrequent heavy rains cause flash floodwaters to plunge through the canyons and pour onto the plain. These torrential flows, pouring down chutes and dropping off ledges, have scoured out a series of depressions — or tanks — in the white granite rock below, giving the mountains their name.
Hike the Mule Deer Trail for what many locals say is the region’s best view of the valley below or join the ranger-led Black Rock Archeology Walk to see one of the largest and most concentrated collection of Hohokam and Yavapai petroglyphs in the area.
Opt Outside
For more outdoor adventures to explore in Surprise, download our Visitor’s Guide.