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

Hole in the Rock is the star of this 2-hour Scottsdale e-bike tour, but the ride there is half the fun. From Old Town, you follow the Greenbelt, pause at Tempe Lake, cross the cactus-filled scenery of Papago Park, and finish with a short climb to an ancient rock lookout.

I like the easy pace and the route’s variety. You get city paths, canals, desert plants, Camelback Mountain views, and a bit of local history without spending a full day on a bike. I also like the small groups, capped at eight, and the fact that the bike, helmet, and water are provided.

The main drawback is simple: this is a brisk overview, not a long stop at each place. You also need to hear the guide while riding, and one rider found the commentary hard to follow. Bring sunglasses, wear proper shoes, and ask about the guide’s audio setup before setting off.

Key points to know before you book

• Hole in the Rock is the main payoff: You park at the base and take an easy, short hike to the lookout for wide valley views and photos.
• The ride stays approachable: The e-bikes let you pedal as much or as little as you want, making the route suitable for many beginners.
• You see three different sides of the area: Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe Lake, and Papago Park all feel distinct within a single outing.
• The group stays small: A maximum of eight people gives the guide room to watch the pace and help with bike handling.
• The tour covers ground quickly: It works well before lunch or alongside another Scottsdale activity, but it does not leave time for long sightseeing stops.
• The route includes a real climb: The hike to Hole in the Rock is short and described as easy, but good walking shoes still matter.

Why this 2-hour ride works so well for a first visit

I like this tour because it gives you a useful sense of place fast. Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix can feel spread out when you first arrive. An e-bike helps connect the pieces, letting you move from Old Town streets to a lake, a desert park, historic sights, and canals in one continuous outing.

The route also avoids the feel of a simple city bike loop. You are not just circling downtown and checking off storefronts. You see Papago Park’s red rock formations and desert plants, pass the Phoenix Zoo, look toward Camelback Mountain, and reach one of the area’s most recognizable natural sights.

At $89 per person, the price is fair if you want a guide, equipment, and a compact introduction to the area. You are paying for the bike and helmet as well as the route and commentary. The value is strongest for first-time visitors, people with only a morning free, and anyone who prefers an active outing to a bus or van tour.

It is less compelling if you already know Scottsdale well or want hours to explore Hole in the Rock on foot. The tour keeps moving, and its goal is coverage rather than a slow, detailed visit.

Starting in Old Town Scottsdale and learning the e-bike

You meet at Segway of Scottsdale Tours at 7330 E Earll Drive, Suite R, in Scottsdale. The activity ends at the same place, so you do not have to arrange a ride back from Tempe or Papago Park.

The tour begins with access to the Greenbelt bike path. This is a sensible starting point because you can get used to the e-bike away from a demanding road setting. If you have never ridden one, expect a short adjustment period as you learn how the electric assistance feels.

That assistance is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. You can pedal normally, or let the motor take much of the strain. Several riders found the bikes easy for beginners, and one person specifically appreciated the help on tired knees. You still need to be comfortable balancing and controlling a bicycle, but you do not need a high level of fitness.

The small group matters here. With no more than eight people, the guide can give individual help and keep an eye on riders who are still getting used to the controls. Guides including Allie, Jonathan, Nick, Anthony, Jayce, Jackson, Keegan, and Andrew have been praised for clear safety instructions, a friendly attitude, and local stories.

Tempe Lake gives the route breathing room

From the Greenbelt, the ride heads toward Tempe Lake. The lake stop gives you a chance to rest and take in the open views before the route turns toward Papago Park.

This is not planned as a long lakeside visit, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a full Tempe Lake tour. That short stop helps break up the ride and gives you a different setting from Old Town Scottsdale. It also shows how quickly the scenery changes once you leave the commercial center.

The route is mostly designed for enjoyment rather than speed. You can look around, listen to the guide, and let the e-bike do some work. A headset may be used for commentary, which is helpful while the group is moving, although you should speak up if you cannot hear clearly.

That point is worth taking seriously. The historical and local information adds much of the tour’s value, but it only helps if you can follow it. Stay close enough to hear the guide, and raise the issue early rather than trying to catch every word from the back of the group.

Papago Park brings the desert scenery close

Papago Park is where the outing feels most distinctly Arizona. The park is known for its striking red rock formations, cactus, and broad desert views. You ride through this setting on the way to Hole in the Rock, with the Phoenix Zoo nearby on the route.

I like this section because it gives you a proper desert experience without requiring a separate day trip. The route does not ask you to hike for hours or tackle a demanding trail. Instead, you see the rock formations from the bike and then stop at the main viewpoint.

The park also makes the ride worthwhile for visitors who want to understand the area’s natural character. You see cactus and other desert plant life at close range, rather than only hearing about the Sonoran Desert in a museum or from a vehicle window.

You also pass Hunt’s Tomb from the bike path. This is the burial place of Arizona’s first governor, and it adds a small historical detail to a route otherwise centered on scenery. The stop is viewed from the path, so do not expect a separate visit inside the site.

The short hike to Hole in the Rock

At Hole in the Rock, you leave the bikes at the base and walk up to the ancient lookout point. The hike is short and easy by the standards of desert sightseeing, taking about 20 minutes as part of the stop.

You should still wear shoes with a firm sole. The rock is the one part of this tour where you leave the smooth bike route and deal with an uneven natural surface. The climb is manageable for most people who can participate in the bike ride, but it is not a place for flip-flops or a rushed step.

The reward is a fine photo setting and a wide view across the valley. The openings in the rock create a natural frame, and the stop gives you time to take pictures with the desert scenery behind you. This is the point where the tour feels most memorable.

The visit remains fairly brief. If Hole in the Rock is your main reason for coming to Papago Park, you may want to return independently for more time. On the guided ride, the stop is meant to fit into a larger loop rather than become a full morning hike.

Past the Desert Botanical Gardens and back by canal

After Hole in the Rock, you ride past the back side of the Desert Botanical Gardens. You do not enter the gardens on this tour, so treat this as an outside look and a useful orientation point, not a substitute for a garden visit.

The return follows canals toward Old Town Scottsdale. This is one of the route’s more local-feeling sections. Canal paths are a practical part of the area’s cycling network, and riding beside the water offers a calmer finish after the rock stop.

The canals also open up some of the best views of Camelback Mountain. The mountain is a familiar Scottsdale landmark, and seeing it from the bike route gives you a broader sense of how the city, desert, and mountain spaces fit together.

I find the return route important because it prevents the tour from feeling like a simple out-and-back. You see new scenery on the way home, and the canal ride adds a change of pace. It is also a good time to ask the guide for ideas on restaurants or other sights. Jackson, in particular, has been praised for offering useful suggestions beyond the ride itself.

How hard is the riding?

The route is intended for a broad range of riders, including people new to e-bikes. The motor assistance means you can pedal lightly, and the tour guides set a controlled pace. The ride is often described as easy, with most of the emphasis on paths and sightseeing.

That does not mean you can ignore basic bike skills. You must be able to ride and control the e-bike, follow the guide, and manage the short walk at Hole in the Rock. Helmets are required for everyone.

Children under 16 must ride with an adult. Riders must weigh at least 80 pounds, or 45 kilograms. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed accessibility assessment, so contact the operator if you have specific mobility concerns.

Plan for desert conditions. Comfortable clothes, sunglasses, and good walking shoes are the sensible minimum. Free bottled water is supplied, but you may still want to think about your own hydration needs, especially in warm weather.

Guide quality and the small-group advantage

The guides are a major part of the experience. Allie has been praised for her pacing, local history, and energy. Jonathan is noted for patience and interesting facts along the route, while Nick has been described as friendly and helpful with area suggestions. Anthony and Jayce have received credit for safety awareness and clear expectations.

That range of praise points to what you should want from this kind of tour: not a lecture, but useful information delivered while you ride. The best moments come when the guide connects a view or landmark to the wider area, helping you understand what you are seeing.

With a maximum of eight people, the guide can keep the ride together without making it feel like a large procession. Small groups also make it easier to ask questions and get help with the bike.

The one practical weakness is audio. One rider had trouble hearing the guide, and this can affect the experience if you are at the back or if road and bike noise interfere. Ask where to ride in the group and confirm how the commentary works before leaving.

Who should book this Scottsdale e-bike tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time Scottsdale visitors who want to learn the basic shape of the area. It is also a good fit for couples, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage a bicycle and short rocky walk.

The short length is a real advantage. You can book it in the morning and still have much of the day available for the Desert Botanical Gardens, Old Town Scottsdale, museums, shopping, or another planned activity.

It also suits people who want desert scenery without committing to a long hike. You get Papago Park, red rocks, cactus, and mountain views while seated for most of the route.

I would think twice if you dislike bicycles, need a fully flat and fully paved outing, or want a slow visit at every stop. You should also reconsider if you need hotel pickup, since transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

Booking, price, and cancellation details

The cost is $89 per person. Since the tour includes the e-bike, helmet, water, guide, and a two-hour route, I consider that a reasonable price for a compact introduction to Scottsdale and nearby Tempe.

The experience is often reserved about 14 days ahead, so book earlier if your schedule is fixed. Confirmation arrives when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The tour is offered in English.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

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

Book it if you want an active, efficient first look at Scottsdale with a real desert stop at the center. The e-bike keeps the ride manageable, the group stays small, and the route packs in Tempe Lake, Papago Park, Hunt’s Tomb, the Phoenix Zoo area, canals, and Camelback Mountain views.

Skip it if your priority is a long hike, an in-depth visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens, or unhurried time at Hole in the Rock. For most first-time visitors with two free hours, though, the $89 price buys a useful mix of scenery, local context, and easy exercise. Bring water-minded habits, good shoes, sunglasses, and a willingness to speak up if you cannot hear the guide.

FAQ

How long is the Hole in the Rock and Tempe Lake e-bike tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $89 per person.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Segway of Scottsdale Tours, 7330 E Earll Drive, Suite R, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the tour?

The price includes the two-hour e-bike tour, use of an e-bike and helmet, and bottled water.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Are children allowed to join?

People under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a minimum weight for riding?

Yes. Riders must weigh at least 80 pounds, or 45 kilograms.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.