Phoenix Outback
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Pre-signup is now closed. There is no onsite signup.
Signup is limited. Photo Album | ||||||
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Phoenix Outback Navigation Games 2026 Canyon Lake 3-/6-/12-Hour Races (2026 Event) |
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| Event | Description |
| Adventure Race |
Navigation by foot and optionally by mountain bike and packraft. Teams of 1 to 4 Individuals (Solos allowed) Inflatable and portable watercraft only. |
| Rogaine |
Navigation on foot (Solos and Teams welcome) |
| Event Summary | |||||
09Mar Update: Here are updates based on recent scouting of the area:
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Start/Finish at the Canyon Lake, Acacia Recreation Site. | |||||
Click on the image below to open a Google Map.
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| Note: Civil twilight starts at 6:15 AM. It ends at 7:00 PM. Although the races will take place during daylight, any delays could allow participants in the 12-hour races to return in the dark after sunset. A light source (e.g. headlamp, handheld flashlight, etc.) is required for participants in the 12-hour race. | |||||
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Sunrise: 6:39 AM Sunset: 6:35 PM Civil Twilight Start: 6:15 AM Civil Twilight End: 7:00 PM |
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| Time | Event(s) | Location | Directions | Google Maps |
Safety Plans |
| Saturday, March 14, 2026 | |||||
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Sat, Mar 14 6:00 AM |
12-Hour Adventure Race 12-Hour Rogaine Start/Finish/Transition Opens |
Acacia Recreation Site: Middle Lot |
Directions | Placemark | Safety Plan |
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Sat, Mar 14 6:30 AM |
12-Hour Races Mandatory Briefing Note: Civil twilight is at 6:15 AM. |
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Sat, Mar 14 7:00 AM |
12-Hour Races Mass Start |
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Sat, Mar 14 7:00 AM |
6-Hour Adventure Race 3/6-Hour Rogaine Start/Finish/Transition Opens |
Acacia Recreation Site: Middle Lot |
Directions | Placemark | Safety Plan |
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Sat, Mar 14 7:30 AM |
3/6-Hour Races Mandatory Briefing |
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Sat, Mar 14 8:00 AM |
3-/6-Hour Races Mass Start |
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Sat, Mar 14 11:00 AM |
3-Hour Course Closes If you're late, we'll move you to the 6-Hour Category or apply a 1-point per 5 minute penalty. |
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Sat, Mar 14 2:00 PM |
6-Hour Course Closes Penalty: 1 point for every 5 minutes you arrive after 2:00 PM. This penalty rule is for the shorter events only. |
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Sat, Mar 14 7:00 PM |
12-Hour Course Closes Penalty: 1 point for every minute you arrive after 7:00 PM. This penalty rule is for the 12-hour event only. Because the finish is just after civil twilight ends, we need you to arrive at the finish on time. |
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| Course Statistics | |||||||||
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Note 1: The exact mode of transportation is left to the participants. Those signed up for the adventure race can decide whatever mode of transportation works best for them. Some controls are far enough away from the start/finish/transition that riding a bike could be the most appropriate mode of transportation. Controls on the banks of the lake are best visited via inflatable watercraft. Some controls at the water's edge are at the base of steep cliffs. Those signed up for the 3/6/12-hour Rogaine will visit controls on foot only. Note 2: The distance/climb statistics shown below are based on two separate loops through the course: a 32-control foot/bike loop and a 6-control water loop. Participants are not locked in to traveling two separate loops. Because of this, the final distance/climb will vary per participant and is less than what is shown in the sections below. Note 3: The lake is called Canyon Lake for a reason. The terrain is rugged. If the map shows a black blob between you and your destination, believe the map. There are cliffs everywhere. We navigated around cliffs while hanging the bags, so there are ways to avoid exposed areas. We don't like exposed areas. If your navigation is good, you can avoid cliffy areas. | |||||||||
| Watercraft | Foot | Bike | |||||||
| Distance (km) | Climb (m) | Controls | Distance (km) | Climb (m) | Controls | Distance (km) | Climb (m) | Controls | |
| 6/12-Hour Adventure Race | 8.8 |
0 |
6 |
23.2 | 2000 | 32 | Combined | NA | NA |
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3/6/12-Hour Rogaine |
Travel to all controls on foot. Cliffs leading down to the water make it difficult to visit controls at the water's edge on foot. The same maps used for the adventure race area also used for the Rogaines. |
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We're excited to offer another adventure race in the Phoenix area. On Saturday, March 14, we'll take you to the banks of Canyon Lake for a full day of events at the Phoenix Outback Navigation Games. During the day, we're offering five events:
The 12-hour Rogaine is a special category of the adventure race. Participants in the 12-hour Rogaine use the same maps as the adventure racers. The main difference is that participants in the 12-hour Rogaine only travel on foot. The watercraft destinations are difficult if not impossible to visit on foot. In addition, several of the bike controls are placed at distances more easily reached by bike. Participants in the Rogaine visit as many of the destinations as they can in the 12-hour limit. The 12-hour Rogaine uses the same maps as the adventure races. In the 3-hour and 6-hour Rogaine, participants have up to 3/6 hours to visit as many of the controls as they can. The 3/6 Hour Rogaines use the same maps as the 12-hour events.
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| Signup is now closed. There is no onsite signup for the Phoenix Outback Navigation Games events. |
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Parental Consent Now Required
(Click here for more information)
All participants under age 18 are now required to have a signed parental consent form on file with the club. You can complete the form before the event and either scan it and send it to us by e-mail or bring it with you to the event. |
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The Fees for the Phoenix Outback Navigation Games events are as follows (per person):
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Mandatory Race GearCarried by each participant at all times.
Bicycle GearFor adventure racers.
Water GearThe gear listed below is required for those choosing to travel on water.
Recommended Gear
Not Allowed
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| The Phoenix metro area is huge. There are plenty of motels and hotels. Those who wish to camp should refer to the Tonto National Forest web pages. There's a fair amount of dispersed camping in the area. There is no dispersed camping on the lakeshore, but many options on jeep trails throughout the area. |