Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Phoenix lies in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, with stunning and challenging hiking and mountain biking trails throughout the metro area. For fresh air and exercise, nothing can beat a hike up Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak. Camelback offers two trails, the easier Cholla and more-challenging Echo Canyon, that offer unobstructed views of the city as well as closeups of the mountain's red rocks. Teens can also ride through more than 50 miles of bike trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve.
The Castles N' Coasters theme park, open year-round, offers exciting rides that include Desert Storm, a 100-foot-plus roller coaster, and the Sky Diver, which drops the riders 120 feet. Starting in mid-May and lasting through the summer months, Phoenix water parks cool down overheated teens. Big Surf, Wet 'n' Wild, and Golfland Sunsplash have tube slides, wave pools and inner-tube rides, with affordable season passes for families in the area long term.
The winter weather in Phoenix proves ideal for skate parks, which stay open every day -- except for holidays and rainy days -- ready for teens to show off their skills. Paradise Valley Skate Park, Pecos Skate Park and Hermoso Park Skate Plaza welcome inline skaters and skateboarders, with kidney bowls, banked alleys, grinding ledges and ramps, flat bars and much more. Each park has its own special features, with Hermoso Park's pyramid with grind boxes; Paradise Valley's kinked snake bowls, and Pecos Park's bowls for skaters of varying skill levels. Desert West Skateboard Plaza, for skateboards only, spans 25,000 square feet, with three bowls, curbs and steps. It also has barbecue grills, if the whole family wants a park day.
If you have a teen who loves to be outdoors, but maybe isn't looking to literally take a hike, the Phoenix area boasts multiple year-round outdoor activities. The gorgeous and relaxing Desert Botanical Garden lets visitors enjoy the warm winter sunshine and learn about the vegetation of the Sonoran Desert. Other draws include walking trails, guided tours and an on-site cafe to feed ravenous teens. Right down the road, the Phoenix Zoo is home to wildlife ranging from giraffes to rhinos to big cats to typical desert animals. The zoo offers memberships, and a wintertime Zoo Lights exhibit that delights people of all ages.