Living in the Goodyear, Arizona, area, you have access to many fun, family-friendly activities, including going to the ball park to watch professional teams in spring training, horseback riding in the desert, and visiting cool museums. But sometimes, you just want to go somewhere and have some fun, free of charge. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Goodyear has put together this list of the best free things to do in and around Goodyear.

Goodyear Community Park

“Kalinga Park, Kalinga” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Brisbane City Council

Goodyear is home to some beautiful and fun-filled parks, and the Goodyear Community Park is no exception. In addition to beautiful open space for playing your favorite outdoor games, this outdoor retreat has a little bit of everything that you and your family could want. Take a family stroll on the landscaped walking trails. Have a picnic by one of the stunning ramadas, which come with barbecue grills for cooking fresh food. Or, take your furry family members to the dog park to run around with new friends.

If you’re looking to beat the Arizona heat, you and the kids are sure to love playing at the splash pad, which has multiple sprinkler towers, water fountains, and other features perfect for cooling off. Your kids can run around the playground and toddler play areas and burn some energy. For the sports fanatics in your family, there are two sand volleyball courts, four tennis courts, four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, a little league baseball field, and two softball fields. The whole family can practice new tricks over at the skate park, too.

Goodyear Community Park is located on the northeast corner of Litchfield Road and Thomas Road. The address is 3151 N. Litchfield Road. It’s open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Bible Museum

If you or others in your family are big history buffs, then you’ll be really fascinated by the collections and artifacts housed in the Bible Museum. This free museum is operated by the owners of Greatsite, the world’s largest dealer of rare religious artifacts and texts. Here, you can learn more about the owners’ start in collecting, explore how Christianity has overlapped with American politics throughout the years, and see some interesting rare items. You can view portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls, copies of the original 1611 King James Bible, and read excerpts from the Gutenberg Bible.

You can find the Bible Museum inside the Hampton Inn and Suites located at 2000 N. Litchfield Road in Goodyear. It’s open all day, every day. But if you’d like to get your questions answered, a knowledgeable museum attendant works Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

South Lake Park

South Lake Park is another local park that’s full of fun amenities for a great day outside with friends and family. Located in the gorgeous Estrella community of Goodyear, South Lake is a small waterway that serves as a beautiful backdrop for picnics, a stroll, and sports. Enjoy the views of the lake by taking the 1.3-mile walk around the lake’s perimeter, setting up a sunbathing spot on the sandy beach, or casting a line to catch some fish.

Set up a picnic at one of the shelters or uncovered picnic areas, and use the nearby grills to cook up something fresh and tasty for your group. In between snacking, spend time playing on the open lawn, playing sports like basketball, pickleball, tennis, or volleyball, and throwing horseshoes at the pit. You can even play volleyball at one of the sand courts by the lake. Other features at the park include a boat ramp to the lake, a super-fun playground, and a bike trail.

Visit South Lake Park at 11001 South San Miguel Drive in Goodyear.

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Estrella Mountain Regional Park is 20,000 acres of desert, mountain, and wetland landscape, perfect for a wide variety of outdoor activities. There’s a 65-acre grassy picnic area, the only in Maricopa County, a well-kept golf course, baseball fields, and more. 

One of the best places in the area to hike in nature, Estrella Mountain Regional Park is home to over 33 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. If you’re looking for an easy hike that’s not too long, take the 2.1-mile Quail Trail. Want something that’ll take almost all day? Then try out the Pederson Trail, which is 8.7 miles long and a bit more on the challenging side, or the Toothaker Trail, which is 7.1 miles and on the easy side. Or, traverse the trails on your own horse or go with a nearby stable.

On your hike and around the park, look out for local wildlife, like owls, reptiles, waterfowl, and more. You might even spot a giant spider (statue) at the park, too. You can also stay at one of the campsites at the park and have an outdoorsy staycation close to home and go fishing in the nearby waterways, like North Lake. And at night, this park is a great spot for searching the skies for las estrellas while stargazing, meaning the park lives up to its name.

Estrella Mountain Regional Park is located at 14805 W. Vineyard Ave. in Goodyear. This park is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Foothills Community Park

Foothills Community Park is another great outdoor recreation spot in Goodyear. Across its 18 acres, you’ll find activities for practically everyone in your family. Keep it simple with a picnic lunch or dinner near the ramada or at the picnic tables. Use the barbecue grill to make fresh food, or hit up the concession stand when it’s open for delicious snacks. 

There’s also three baseball fields for the kids to practice pitching, hitting, and catching the ball or playing local league games, a soccer field for practice and games, and a pump track where your kids can learn some new skills on their bikes. You can also enjoy a show at the amphitheater, where the community holds both free and paid events, like concerts and festivals.So there you have it, five of the best free activities in and around the Goodyear area. Did we miss any of your family’s favorite free activities around town? If so, contact us to let us know. We’ll be sure to add it to our list!