Somewhat of an institution in the Eastern United States, Bass Pro Shops opened its first store in Arizona last year much to the delight of the valley’s outdoor enthusiasts. Phoenix is a short drive from many mountains and lakes, including a one-hour driver to Payson, AZ, as a central hub for campers, fishers, hunters and hikers.
With over 170,125 square feet of space, Bass Pro Shops includes the area's largest selection of gear for fishing, hunting, camping, boating hiking, backpacking, outdoor cooking, golf and more. Much of the bottom floor, of the two-story building, includes outdoor apparel for men, women and children as well as a gift and nature center that includes food and home furnishings.
Outdoorsmen and women can find all the major name brand equipment, as well as reasonably priced Bass Pro alternatives. If there is something you might ever need on any type of outdoor excursion, Bass Pro Shops has it.
The store is known for “bringing the outdoors indoors” and the internal architecture includes many rock formations, a stream with fish and a very large fish tank that appeals to kids. Hunters can try out archery equipment in a full-size indoor archery range, or take to realistic video games for hunting and target practice.
Bass Pro Shops offers free classes that include topics like outdoor cooking, nature photography, fly-fishing, camping, archery, golf skills and more. Saturday and Sunday are very busy days at the shop. If you require help from an employee, it would be best to visit during the week when someone would have a little more time to help you. The staff is friendly, but often very busy.
At the east end of the shop is a 1,100 square-foot restaurant. The Islamadora Fish Company offers fresh seafood and wild game cuisine in a Florida Keys setting. The fish is very fresh and well prepared, but only the daring should take a stab at the alligator appetizer.
Bass Pro Shops is located south of Loop 202 and east of Loop 101 in Northwest Mesa, with store hours Monday-Saturday 9am to 10pm and Sun 10am to 7pm. The restaurant opens daily at 11am.
