Another question from Mt. Pleasant, MI

[ck_1]

There are plenty of everything that you are looking for...

there are hotels/motels near major attractions as well as hiking areas...and since the outlook for winter visitors is bleak, prices should be very reasonable

camping is available, but probably will fill up faster than the hotel rooms. Lost Duchman State Park is probably the closest to the Phx metro area, but it usually fills early...though they allow overflow camping. some of the maricopa county parks have camping facilities, however I don't know if they have re-opened the camping option (a cost cutting measure)...maybe someone here at HAZ knows if camping is possible at the parks.

Arizona does have a hostel system, with a large one in Flagstaff, but I don't know too much about the phx area...I can check with a co-worker who used to work for the hostels in the past...I'll post what I find...

[tempe8]

There's only one Hostel in the Phoenix area and it's just south of I-10 on 9th St...not a very nice part of town...I wouldn't recommend staying there. I've been to the Hostel in Flagstaff and it's pretty good, plus the downtown is nearby and you can walk around. Phoenix has a car culture, you'll have to drive to various destinations. Sedona has one that might be good also; small, affluent town.

Aside from all the exercise you're coming here to get, I can only imagine that a van full of young college students wants some nightlife entertainment too. If so, I'd recommend finding a budget hotel in either two areas: Mill Ave close to ASU, or downtown Scottsdale. These are the best places for college age nightlife...I'm sure you'll enjoy.
--
Kevin