5 Best Arizona Spring Training Experiences & the Hikes Near Them

The official start of spring training in Arizona was spoiled by rain and snow (yes, snow) this week, but it’s looking like sunshine and mild temps for the rest of the MLB pre-season. Paying to watch professional athletes practice might sound crazy to some, but spring training is a rare sports experience you can only see in two parts of the country — Arizona and Florida.

15 teams come to Arizona every February to train in 10 stadiums until opening day at the end of March. And while each of them is their own outside experience (there’s no domes like Chase Field), you can also make it official with a nearby hike. Here are five spring training/hike combos you shouldn’t miss in March.

Chicago Cubs / Sloan Park / Papago Park

As a St. Louis native, I despise the Cubs as much as anyone. Headlines like this give me joy and moments like this give me sorrow, but even I have to admit that the Cubs deliver one of the best spring training experiences in the country. The brand-new Sloan Park in Mesa has no business as just a spring training venue. It was designed to combine the best of Wrigley Field and…