5 Cheap Things to Do Outdoors in Metro Phoenix This October

Labor Day has come and gone, Halloween is just around the corner, and we’re told that one of these days the temperature just might fall down into the double digits. Here’s a list of great outdoor events that’ll get you up and moving this October — but won’t break the bank.

Kokopedalli Group Ride at Chaparral Park
If you’re new to the sport, or if you’ve been looking for an excuse to dust off that ol’ bicycle, look no further. Kokopedalli is a fun, free group ride targeted toward beginners and people who are looking to get back into shape. On Sunday, October 4, the group will leave from Chaparral Park at 8 a.m. sharp; other locations vary throughout the month. For more information about this (and other great local cycling opportunities), visit Phoenix Metro Cycle Club’s website. 

Estrella Mountain Regional Park Hike Every Trail Challenge
Having a passport full of stamps sounds awesome, but it proves difficult to attain when your bank account contains more hopes and dreams than actual currency. Here’s one cool local solution to this quandary: Participate in Estrella Mountain Regional Park’s Hike Every Trail Challenge. Here’s how it works: Every Saturday at 9 a.m. starting October 24 and continuing for the following 12 weeks, Estrella Park rangers will lead a group hike on a new trail. Participants in the program will get a passport, and of course, a stamp for every trail they hike. Some hikes will even include access to certain parts of the park that are typically off limits — awesome, right? For more information about this program, contact Ranger Tippy Jackson at 623-932-3811.

Zombie Archery at San Tan Mountain Regional Park
Every time we think the zombie trend is finally dead, it somewhat predictably springs back to life. We really thought we were officially ready to renounce it. Then we learned that San Tan Mountain Regional Park is hosting two archery classes on Saturday, October 10, (one from 9 to 10 a.m. and another from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.), and that they use zombies as targets. If shooting arrows at zombies in a regional park is wrong, we don’t want to be right. This class is for kids (and adults) ages 8 and up; call 480-655-5554 to reserve a spot.

Haunted Mine Hike at Cave Creek Regional Park
Spend your Halloween evening in the most Arizona way possible: on a spooky guided tour of an abandoned (and possibly haunted?) mine at Cave Creek Regional Park. On Saturday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., prepare to be greeted by the ghosts of Prospectors Past. Costumes are encouraged, flashlights are required, and pets need to stay at home. For more information, call 623-465-0431.

Last Scorpion Hunt of the Year at Usery Park
Usery Park’s after-dark scorpion searches are creepy-crawly fun for the whole family, but sadly, all good things must come to a seasonal end. Squeeze in one last round of peek-a-boo with the Sonoran Desert’s favorite stinging beast on October 10 at 7:30 p.m. (Try not to cry too hard when you say goodbye, okay?) The park will have blacklights available for purchase for $10, or bring your own to help you spot some bugs. The search will take you on a one-mile hike. Usery Park advises that you wear close-toed shoes and leave all pets at home. For more information, contact Usery Park at 480-984-0032.