Best Running Routes Near ASU Tempe Campus
The best running routes near ASU's Tempe campus — from quick 3-mile loops to longer lakeside runs, with tips for surviving Arizona heat.
Running in Tempe: What You're Working With
Tempe has good bones for running — flat terrain, wide paths, and access to Tempe Town Lake. The challenge is heat. From May through September, daytime temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. Running outside at noon in July is dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
With the right timing, though, Tempe is genuinely excellent running territory. Here are the routes actually worth doing.
1. Tempe Town Lake Loop (6 miles, flat)
This is the gold standard for Tempe running. Tempe Town Lake is a man-made lake on the Salt River about a mile from the center of campus, and the loop around it is approximately 6 miles on wide, paved paths.
Access from campus: Walk or bike down Mill Avenue to Rio Salado Parkway. The path entrance is just south of where Mill crosses the lake.
What makes it good: Flat, shaded in spots, water fountains at multiple points, good pavement. The sunrise view over the lake is legitimately beautiful. Lots of other runners, so it feels safe at early morning hours.
Best time: Early morning (6–8 AM) before heat builds. During the cooler months (November–March), any time of day is pleasant.
Tip: You can shorten this to a 3-mile out-and-back by running one side of the lake rather than the full loop.
2. The Rio Salado Trail Extension (as long as you want, mostly flat)
The path around Tempe Town Lake connects to the broader Rio Salado Trail system, which extends west and east along the Salt River. This gives you the ability to run 10, 12, or more miles on a continuous paved path without traffic.
Access: Same entry point as the Town Lake loop, then head west along the river for the longer extension toward Phoenix, or east toward Mesa.
What makes it good: Essentially unlimited distance, paved and maintained, connects to other trail systems. If you're training for a half or full marathon, this is your route.
Note: The further you go from the lake, the fewer amenities. Bring water on anything over 8 miles.
3. Campus Loop (3 miles, some light hills near A Mountain)
A quick on-campus loop covering ASU's palm-tree-lined paths, the Gammage Auditorium area, and the neighborhood east of campus.
Route: Start at the SDFC, head east through the academic core toward the Biodesign building, loop around the east edge of campus, return through the main Palm Walk.
What makes it good: Convenient, scenic (the Palm Walk is genuinely pretty), and short enough to fit between classes. Useful for days when you only have 30 minutes.
Tip: The paths get crowded between classes. Run early morning or after 6 PM.
4. A Mountain (Hayden Butte Preserve) (1.5 miles round trip, significant elevation)
A Mountain — formally Hayden Butte — is visible from most of campus and accessible via a trailhead on Mill Avenue near Apache Boulevard. It's not a long run, but it's a real hill climb that gives you panoramic views of Tempe and the Phoenix metro.
Distance: About 0.7 miles to the summit, so the round trip is under 1.5 miles — but it's steep and on rocky trail.
What makes it good: Pure elevation gain in a short distance. Great for leg strength if you're training for trail races or just want a different stimulus than flat pavement. The views at the top are worth it any time of day.
Restrictions: Check the City of Tempe website — A Mountain has specific open hours and is occasionally closed for habitat management. Typically open sunrise to sunset.
5. Papago Park Trails (4–8 miles depending on route, some trail)
Papago Park is about 3 miles from campus (easily bikeable, or a rideshare away), and it's one of the better trail running spots in the metro area. The signature red buttes create a surreal Arizona landscape.
What makes it good: Actual trail running (not just pavement), varied terrain, the Hole-in-the-Rock landmark, and connection to the Papago Park bike path network.
Best for: Students who want to do actual trail running or want a change from flat lake paths.
Heat Survival Tips
This has to be said directly: running outside in Tempe between 10 AM and 6 PM from May through September is genuinely risky. The concrete and asphalt radiate heat, and heat exhaustion can happen quickly.
- Run before 8 AM or after 7 PM in summer
- Carry water on anything over 30 minutes in warm weather
- Wear a hat and sunscreen even in early morning — UV intensity is high in Arizona year-round
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, cold/pale skin, weak pulse, nausea
- If you're new to Tempe from a cooler climate, give yourself 2–3 weeks to acclimatize before pushing distances in the heat
Gear Notes
If you need running shoes or gear, ASU students regularly sell lightly used running shoes and athletic clothing on the ASU List. It's worth checking before paying full retail at Running Hub on Rural Road or online.
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