Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour – 2 Hours

The most memorable part of this Scottsdale e-bike tour is the way it links several very different sights in just two hours. You ride from Old Town Scottsdale through the Greenbelt and canals, pause at Tempe Lake, cross Papago Park, and finish at Hole in the Rock, an ancient rock opening with broad views over the valley.

I like the easy route and the small groups, capped at eight people. I also like the mix of scenery and local history, from Hunt’s Tomb to the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. The main drawback is that two hours goes by quickly, and one rider reported trouble hearing the guide, so stay close and speak up if the commentary is hard to catch.

Key points to know before booking

• Hole in the Rock is the main stop: You park at the base and take a short, easy hike to the rock opening for photos and valley views.
• The route covers several areas: Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe Lake, Papago Park, canal paths, and views of Camelback Mountain all fit into the ride.
• The e-bikes are beginner-friendly: You can pedal as much or as little as you like, making the ride approachable for first-time riders.
• Small groups make a difference: With no more than eight people, guides such as Allie, Jonathan, Nick, Anthony, and Jackson can keep an eye on the group.
• Plan for sun and a little walking: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, bring sunglasses, and carry extra hydration if you need it.
• It is a quick orientation tour: The short length works well on a first morning in Scottsdale, but it is not a slow, in-depth visit to every stop.

A fast route from Old Town to the red rocks

This tour works best as an introduction to the Scottsdale area. You are not spending two hours at one attraction. Instead, you are moving through a string of parks, paths, water views, historic sites, and desert formations.

That variety is the real value. In a short ride, you get a feel for how Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix fit together. You also see parts of the area that are easy to miss from a car, especially the canals and shared bike paths.

The starting point is Segway of Scottsdale Tours at 7330 E Earll Drive, Suite R, in Scottsdale. The ride returns there at the end, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup. Hotel transportation is not included.

The group limit of eight is useful. A guide can give riding instructions, manage crossings, and adjust the pace more easily than with a large crowd. Guides named in the feedback include Allie, Jonathan, Nick, Anthony, Jackson, Jayce, Keegan, Andrew, and others. The strongest praise centers on guides who explain the route clearly, share local facts, and keep the pace comfortable.

Getting comfortable on the e-bike

If you have never used an e-bike, this is the sort of outing where the technology should make the route easier, not harder. The bikes provide assistance while you pedal, and riders describe being able to pedal a lot or only a little.

That matters in Scottsdale, where the heat can turn a modest ride into tiring work. The electric assistance helps you focus on the scenery instead of saving energy for the next stretch. It also makes the experience suitable for people who are comfortable on a standard bicycle but do not want a demanding workout.

You still need basic bike control. The tour is not a motorized sightseeing ride where you simply sit back. You will steer, brake, follow the guide, and share paths with other users. Helmets are required for everyone and are provided along with the e-bike.

The minimum weight requirement is 80 pounds, or 45 kilograms. Anyone under 16 must ride with an adult. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable balancing and controlling a bicycle before booking.

One useful detail from the feedback is that the tour uses headsets or guide commentary in some rides. That can help while you are spread along a path, but sound may not always carry perfectly. If you cannot hear, slow down safely and tell the guide rather than letting yourself fall behind.

From the Greenbelt to Tempe Lake

The ride begins in Old Town Scottsdale and connects with the Greenbelt bike path. This gives you a quick change from city streets to a more relaxed riding setting.

The Greenbelt is useful for getting comfortable with the bike and the group. It also gives the guide room to explain how the ride works before the route reaches the busier or more scenic sections.

You then head toward Tempe Lake, where the group pauses at a lookout spot. This is a good early break because it gives you time to take in the water and surrounding city views without rushing straight from one sight to the next.

Tempe Lake is not presented as a long stop with a full visit around the shoreline. Think of it as a scenic pause during a moving tour. If you want extended time for waterside photos, quiet sitting, or a complete loop of the lake, you will need a separate visit.

Still, the stop helps show the area’s variety. The tour is not only about desert rock. It includes water, paved paths, city edges, and open views, which makes the two-hour route feel fuller than a simple ride to one monument.

Papago Park brings the desert scenery

From Tempe Lake, the route continues through Papago Park toward Hole in the Rock. This is where the setting changes most clearly. Papago Park is known for its red rock formations and desert plants, and it gives you the classic Arizona scenery many first-time visitors want to see.

The advantage of riding through the park is scale. From an e-bike, you can cover more ground than you would on foot while still moving slowly enough to notice cactus, rock formations, and open desert views.

This section is also one reason the tour suits a first visit. You get a broad visual introduction to the region without giving up half a day to a long excursion. The guide adds context along the way, including local history and details about the sights.

The tradeoff is that you do not stop at every feature. The route is designed to keep moving so it can include Tempe Lake, the park, Hunt’s Tomb, the zoo, Hole in the Rock, the botanical garden area, and the canals. If your main goal is a long hike through Papago Park, this is not the right format.

Hunt’s Tomb and the Phoenix Zoo

The route passes Hunt’s Tomb from the bike path. This is the resting place of Arizona’s first governor, making it a small but meaningful historic detail along an otherwise scenic ride.

You do not get a full cemetery visit or a long stop here. Instead, it becomes part of the guide’s running commentary. That is a good fit for this tour because the appeal comes from connecting several sites rather than studying one in depth.

You also ride past the Phoenix Zoo on the way toward Hole in the Rock. The zoo is a landmark along the route, not an included admission stop. Keep that distinction in mind when planning your day. You will see the area from the bike path, but the tour does not include a zoo visit.

This combination of history, recreation, and desert scenery is one of the route’s strengths. The guide can point out places you might later choose to revisit by car or on foot.

The short hike to Hole in the Rock

Hole in the Rock is the centerpiece. The e-bikes are parked at the base, and you walk up to the ancient rock opening for about 20 minutes.

The hike is described as short and easy, but it is not completely flat. Good walking shoes are a smart choice, especially if you want to climb comfortably over the rock surface. One rider specifically advised bringing sturdy shoes for the short ascent.

At the top, the opening frames views across the valley. It is also the best photo stop of the tour. You have time for pictures, a look through the natural opening, and a brief pause before returning to the bikes.

The stop is free, and the short duration keeps the entire experience manageable. You will not need hiking gear or a full trail plan. Still, you should be ready for sun, uneven rock, and a little exertion.

I would treat this as a scenic viewpoint rather than a serious hike. If you have limited mobility, check your own comfort with a short uphill walk before booking. The tour does not provide a separate vehicle option to the top.

Behind the Desert Botanical Garden

After Hole in the Rock, the group rides past the back side of the Desert Botanical Garden. This gives you a glimpse of another major Phoenix-area attraction without including garden admission.

The ride does not replace a visit to the garden. The botanical garden deserves its own time if you want marked paths, plant displays, and a closer look at desert species. Here, you are seeing its outer area as part of the bike route.

That is not a weakness so much as a reminder to match the tour to your goals. The e-bike outing is a sampler. It helps you decide which places deserve a return visit.

For many people, this is a practical way to plan a longer stay. You can see the garden area, Papago Park, the zoo, and Hole in the Rock in one morning, then choose one or two for a slower visit later.

Canals and Camelback Mountain views

The final stretch follows the canals toward Old Town Scottsdale. This is one of the most distinctive parts of the ride because canal paths show a side of the area that standard sightseeing drives often miss.

The canal route is active and pleasant, with long views and a sense of local movement. You are still close to Scottsdale, but the pace feels calmer than a road-based tour. The guide can point out Camelback Mountain as it comes into view, giving you a strong closing scene.

These views are especially useful on a first day because they help you understand the area’s geography. You see the mountain from a distance, connect the canal system with the city, and finish back where you began.

The route is mostly designed for easy riding, but conditions can vary along shared paths. Keep your attention on other cyclists and path users, and do not assume every stretch will feel completely empty.

Is $89 a fair price?

At $89 per person, the price is reasonable if you value equipment, a local guide, and an efficient route. Your fee includes the two-hour e-bike tour, helmet use, the e-bike, and bottled water.

You are paying for more than bike rental. A rental alone would not provide the route planning, group management, local stories, or the chance to connect Old Town Scottsdale with Tempe Lake and Papago Park.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors and people with limited time. You can cover several areas without arranging parking, mapping paths, or deciding how to connect the stops.

The value is weaker if you already know the route, own a bike, or prefer exploring at your own pace. You may want to stop longer at the lake, garden, zoo, or rock formation than this schedule allows.

The high overall rating, 4.9 from 173 ratings, matches the main strengths of the experience: easy bikes, friendly guides, good route planning, and a manageable length. The one recurring caution worth noting is communication. If you are at the back of the group or the guide speaks while riders are spread out, some commentary may be difficult to hear.

Who will enjoy this Scottsdale ride?

I would recommend it to first-time Scottsdale visitors who want an overview before choosing what to revisit. It also fits couples, solo visitors, and families with older children who meet the weight and age rules.

The ride is a good choice if you want activity without a hard workout. Several guides are praised for patience and safety, and the e-bikes make the route accessible to people who are not regular cyclists.

Families should note that anyone under 16 needs an adult companion. Parents should also decide if their children can manage bike handling, path etiquette, and the short rocky walk at Hole in the Rock.

It is less suitable if you want a long desert hike, a full botanical garden visit, or a detailed tour of Tempe Lake. It is also not ideal for someone who cannot comfortably ride a bicycle or walk up a short uneven slope.

Bring sunglasses, comfortable clothing, and comfortable shoes. Bottled water is included, but extra hydration can still be sensible in warm weather. Some riders have also found electrolyte drinks useful, especially during hot conditions.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

The tour lasts about two hours and is offered in English. It is often booked about 14 days ahead, so reserve early if your schedule is fixed, particularly during pleasant weather.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity starts and ends at Segway of Scottsdale Tours on E Earll Drive. The maximum is eight people per booking and eight participants on the tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. If the minimum group size is not met and the operator cancels, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.

Should you book the Hole in the Rock e-bike tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, efficient introduction to Scottsdale and the nearby desert sights. The route gives you Tempe Lake, Papago Park, Hunt’s Tomb, the Phoenix Zoo area, Hole in the Rock, canal paths, and Camelback Mountain views without taking over your day.

I especially like it for the first morning of a Scottsdale stay. It helps you get oriented, reveals places you may want to revisit, and lets you see a lot without a demanding ride.

Skip it if you want deep time at one attraction or a serious hiking outing. For everyone else, the combination of easy e-bikes, small groups, informed guides, and a strong central viewpoint makes $89 a fair price for two active hours.

FAQ

Where does the Hole in the Rock e-bike tour start?

It starts at Segway of Scottsdale Tours, 7330 E Earll Drive, Suite R, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

What sights are included?

The route includes Old Town Scottsdale, the Greenbelt bike path, Tempe Lake, Papago Park, Hunt’s Tomb, the Phoenix Zoo area, Hole in the Rock, the back side of the Desert Botanical Gardens, canal paths, and views of Camelback Mountain.

Is the hike to Hole in the Rock difficult?

The walk from the e-bikes to Hole in the Rock is described as short and easy and takes about 20 minutes. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Are the e-bike and helmet included?

Yes. The tour includes use of an e-bike, a helmet, and bottled water. Helmets are required for all participants.

Can children join the tour?

Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Riders must weigh at least 80 pounds, or 45 kilograms.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.