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Preparing for Your Adventure

With a little advance preparation, your Scottsdale adventure will be a fun-filled experience you'll remember for a lifetime!

Reservations

Reservations are recommended for most of the adventures (for organized tours, they are required).

Tour Prices

Because tour prices vary between companies and tours, we do not provide pricing information. Please contact the individual companies for a price quote.

Recommended Attire

Dressing in layers, so you can add or remove clothing as necessary, is the best way to prepare for your outdoor adventure. Temperatures may be warm during the day, but can be cool in the early morning and evening hours. For most adventures, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are highly recommended. Special attire recommendations are noted under the individual activities as necessary.

Resort/Hotel Pick-up

Many adventure and recreation companies offer hotel and resort pick-up for their tours. Check with the individual companies for details and pricing information.

Remember to Bring . . .

A Hat (wide-brimmed hats offer the best shading and protection)

Sunglasses with UV protective coating

Sunscreen

Lip Balm

A Camera (and plenty of film or memory cards!)

A Day Pack or Fanny Pack (to carry your camera, film, etc.)

And most important of all . . . your spirit of adventure!

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Trail Etiquette

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Helpful Hints for Hikers & Explorers

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Hiking

Arizona's bountiful natural resources offer stimulating and challenging outings that can revitalize the body and renew the spirit. Some of the most popular hiking and backpacking spots in Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun are the Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, Squaw Peak and the Superstition Mountains. All of these trails offer magnificent scenic vistas and the opportunity to experience the Sonoran Desert up close and personal. Scottsdale's outdoor specialists can help you explore these areas and discover their hidden natural treasures.

Tour Length

Custom hiking tours range in length from two hours to full- and multi-day treks, and are available for beginners to experienced hikers.

Special Attire

Sturdy, comfortable shoes are a must. Hiking boots or closed-toe shoes with good ankle support and traction soles are best. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended, especially for back country journeys. In cooler weather or for evening hikes, bring a jacket or windbreaker. And if you're hiking in the rainy season (during the summer monsoon or in the winter), be sure to carry rain gear.

Special Notes for Summer Hikers

Because summer temperatures can quickly cause fatigue (heat stroke and heat exhaustion in more extreme cases), limit your summer hikes to early morning when temperatures are coolest. If you do hike in the afternoon and see thunderstorms building, it's best to turn back right away. Getting caught in the desert during a thunderstorm is dangerous on many fronts: Desert washes flood quickly with little or no warning, and can strand you for hours until waters recede; dangerous, violent lightning typically accompanies these storms (in the summer, Arizona records lightning strikes in the thousands each day); the temperatures can drop dramatically as a storm moves through (sometimes as much as 30 degrees) - if you're wearing lightweight clothes you could easily become chilled; and, to quote the standard safety line, the desert can be "slippery when wet" - mud and loose rocks offer plenty of opportunity for twists and sprains. Our best advice - hike early in the day during the summer.

Scottsdale Area Hiking Trails

For trail maps and additional Information:

Arizona State Parks (602) 542-4174

Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve (480) 998-7971

McDowell Mountain Regional Park (480) 471-0173

Camelback Mountain Park (602) 261-8318

Papago Park (480) 350-5200

Superstition Wilderness (Mesa Ranger District) (480) 610-3300

Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485

Tonto National Forest (602) 225-5200

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Take A Stroll!

Scottsdale offers many beautiful places for leisurely walks and romantic strolls. Here are a few suggestions:

Downtown Scottsdale

(480) 421-1004

Combine your outdoor exercise with another of Scottsdale's favorite pastimes - shopping! The Downtown Scottsdale Arts & Shopping Districts feature unique retail shops, world-class art galleries and magnificent restaurants, all within comfortable walking distance of each other.

Desert Botanical Garden

(480) 941-1225

Browse through the Botanical Garden's many exhibits including the Cactus House, the Succulent House, the Sonoran Desert Ecology Trail and more. Moonlight walks and outdoor evening concerts are offered during the warmer months.

Indian Bend Wash & Chaparral Park

(480) 312-2722

Walking and biking trails abound in Scottsdale's signature greenbelt area. The park also includes a small lake for fishing, a playground, picnicking, swimming pool and more.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

(480) 471-0173

Located in the eastern foothills of the majestic McDowell Mountains, the park offers picnic tables, easy walking trails and up-close access to the Sonoran Desert.

Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve

(480) 998-7971

In addition to challenging trails, Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers seasonal birding and wildflower walks. The leisurely pace and relatively short distances (no more than two miles) of these desert strolls make them suitable for hikers and walkers of all skill levels.

For more information call the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at (480) 421-1004 or 800-782-1117.

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Horseback Riding

For a true taste of the Old West, mosey across the Sonoran Desert on the back of a trusty steed. From your vantage point tall in the saddle, you'll see exotic cactus, rolling desert foothills, and crystalline streams. You might even cross a creek or two (don't worry, Trigger doesn't mind getting his hooves wet!). As you explore the Sonoran's pristine, natural habitats your guide will entertain you with the stories and legends of Arizona's first cowboys. Greenhorns and bowlegged caballeros alike will enjoy the quiet grandeur of the desert and the companionship of a gentle horse.

Tour Length

Rides from one hour to overnight are available (for overnight rides, food and camping equipment are typically provided by the outfitter).

Special Attire

Long pants are highly recommended. Cowboy boots (or riding boots) also are suggested.

Adventure Tips

Soft drinks and water are available at most stables. If you have a canteen, you may want to bring some water on your trail ride. Refreshments are typically provided for rides of four hours or longer (check with the individual stables for more information). And, most important - be prepared for a lot of fun, Old West style!

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Hot Air Ballooning & Aerial Adventures

The Sonoran Desert is a unique and beautiful place when observed from ground level, but the view from above is astounding in its expansiveness and grandeur. Hot air ballooning is a wonderfully tranquil experience for visitors of all ages. Sunrise and sunset flights provide magnificent vistas of desert terrain and towering mountains ranges. The view from the balloon's hand-crafted wicker basket is virtually unobstructed - a photographer's dream! Upon landing, you will be welcomed back to earth in the traditional manner with flutes of champagne (a custom dating back more than 100 years). Soaring provides another unforgettable airborne adventure. Ride the wind currents in peaceful serenity with a professional sailplane pilot at the helm.

Tour Length

Varies - the actual flight lasts about 1 hour; the entire experience, from pick-up to drop-off, will be approximately three to four hours (especially for breakfast or hors d'oeuvre flights).

Recommended Attire

Bring a sweater and/or jacket for hot air balloon voyages as temperatures aloft can be cool even in the warmer months. A baseball cap or hat also is recommended since the hot air from the inflated balloon can make the top of your head feel warm.

Adventure Tips

Expand your hot air balloon experience to include a post-flight champagne breakfast or sunset hors d'oeuvres. Contact the individual ballooning companies for information and prices.

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Jeep & Hummer Tours

Off-road tours are a wonderful way to enjoy the desert's Old West history and experience its beautiful flora and fauna up close. Interpretive guides provide entertaining stories of the Old West (including a tall tale or two!), as well as interesting facts about the cacti, plants and animals that make up the desert's delicate ecosystem. Tour options can include gold panning, pistol shooting, jeep/horseback and jeep/river rafting combinations, chuckwagon cookouts and more. An unforgettable experience for the entire family!

Tour Length

Approximately four hours; allow the better part of a day for combination tours.

Adventure Tips

Soft drinks and water are typically provided (confirm this when making your reservations). Always buckle-up while in the vehicles as the desert terrain can be bumpy. And, hold onto your hats - most vehicles are "open-air" to let in the desert breezes!

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River Rafting, Fishing & Water Sports

Since the beginning of time, man's attraction to water has bordered on the magnetic. Humans and creatures alike are drawn to the water's edge for sustenance, refreshment and recreation. In Arizona, our rivers, streams and lakes are lush, pristine oases surrounded on all sides by the arid beauty of the Sonoran Desert - perfect settings for water adventures of every kind!

Rafting, kayaking and canoeing are popular ways to explore the lakes and rivers in the Scottsdale area. Anglers will find largemouth bass, trout, crappie, catfish, yellow bass, and sunfish populating local rivers and lakes (they're ready and waiting for an enticing spinner or jig to come along!). Find a quiet spot along the shore for bird and wildlife watching (raptors, songbirds, and desert mammals are abundant). Experience the adventure of flying over the water on water skis. Whatever your water pleasure - it's all nearby!

Tour Length

Guided rafting, kayaking, fishing and boating adventures range from 1/2 day to overnights.

Recommended Attire

Anything you don't mind getting wet! Bathing suits, shorts and T-shirts are the norm. River sandals are highly recommended (river and lake beds can be rocky). If you're planning to hike to more remote water features, wear hiking boots, and long-sleeved shirts and pants over your swimsuit.

Adventure Tips

Bring plenty of water and snacks on your excursion (refreshments are usually provided on guided tours). And, needless to say, slather on that sunscreen!

Click here for information on guided tours and equipment rental companies.

For additional Information:

Arizona Game & Fish Department (602) 942-3000

Arizona State Parks (602) 542-4174

Bureau of Land Management (602) 417-9200

Scottsdale Parks & Recreation (480) 312-2722

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Rivers

Cave Creek

Information: Tonto National Forest (602) 225-5200

Access: From Carefree take Cave Creek Road east past Horseshoe Dam Road (FR 19); the road will change from paved to dirt. At Seven Springs Campground take FR 24B to a parking lot and trail access.

Activities: Waterplay/swimming, hiking

Facilities: Campgrounds are available near confluence of Cave Creek and Seven Springs Wash but they fill up fast. Get there early if you want to camp!

The middle stretches of Cave Creek are accessible only by hiking trail. However the beautiful desert setting, abundant bird life (raptors and songbirds) and cool, clear waters are worth the effort. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring enough water (creek water is not potable).

Salt River (Stewart Mountain Dam to Granite Reef Dam)

Information: Tonto National Forest (602) 225-5200; Salt River Project (for flows) (602) 236-5929

Access: 10 miles north of Scottsdale on HWY 87 then south to Stewart Mountain Dam on Bush Highway

Activities: Rafting, swimming, fishing.

Facilities: Camping is permitted in the Lower Salt River Recreation Area.

This stretch of the Salt River is one of the most heavily used recreational waterways in the United States. On summer weekends the Salt is crowded with "tubers" (people floating down-river in inner tubes). Weekdays during the off-season are the most peaceful and pristine. Located at the edge of the Superstition Mountains, the scenery surrounding the river is spectacular.

Verde River (Bartlett Dam to Salt River)

Information: Tonto National Forest (602) 225-5200; Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (480) 837-5121; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (480) 850-8000; Salt River Project (for flows) (602) 236-5929

Access: From Cave Creek - Put-in: Follow FR 24 for 7 miles, then FR 19 for 13 miles to FR 162 which leads to the Riverside Campground. Take-out: Follow Pima Road to Pinnacle Peak Road to Rio Verde Road to FR 20 to Needle Rock. Other access is south of the bridge within the Salt River Indian Community.

Activities: Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing.

Facilities: Primitive campgrounds are available at Bartlett Dam and Needle Rock.

The Verde River is a good place for birding and wildlife watching. Great blue herons, javelina and coyote are commonly seen, and there is a southern bald eagle nesting site near the put-in at Bartlett Dam. The upper portion of this run offers a remote, pristine desert setting. Please note that the Verde crosses the Fort McDowell and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Communities as it approaches its confluence with the Salt River. Be sure to check with tribal offices prior to crossing their lands.

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Lakes

Apache Lake

Information: Apache Lake Marina (520) 467-2511

Location: 33 miles north of Apache Junction on Highway 88 & FR 79

Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, waterskiing

Facilities: Restaurant, showers, picnic area

Bartlett Lake

Information: Bartlett Lake Marina (480) 502-4354

Location: 20 miles east of Carefree via FR 24, FR 205 and FR 19

Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, camping (nearby)

Facilities: Groceries, picnic area

Canyon Lake

Information: Canyon Lake Marina (602) 944-6504

Location: 16 miles east of Apache Junction on Highway 88

Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, rafting

Facilities: Restaurant, groceries, picnic area

Lake Pleasant

Information: Lake Pleasant Marina (602) 977-7377

Location: 20 miles northwest of Scottsdale along the Carefree Highway

Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, parasailing, camping (nearby)

Facilities: Groceries, picnic area

Roosevelt Lake

Information: Roosevelt Lake Resort (928) 467-2276

Location: 46 miles north of Apache Junction via Highway 88 and the Apache Trail

Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, rafting

Facilities: Restaurant, groceries, showers

Saguaro Lake

Information: Saguaro Lake Marina (480) 986-5546

Location: 10 miles north of Scottsdale on Highway 87; follow signs at Bush Highway turn-off

Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing

Facilities: Restaurant, groceries, picnic area

FR = Forest Road

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City Parks

Chaparral Park

Information: (480) 312-2722

Location: Chaparral and Hayden Roads

Activities: Fishing, swimming pool, ball fields, walking/bike trails at park and nearby.

Facilities: Picnic areas, playground

Eldorado Park

Information: (480) 994-2483

Location: 2311 N. Miller Road

Activities: Fishing, bike/jogging paths, paddle boats, swimming pool, basketball/volleyball courts.

Facilities: Picnic areas, playground, recreation center

For a complete listing of Scottsdale City Parks, please call Scottsdale Parks & Recreation at (480) 312-2722.

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Desert & Mountain Biking

Desert and mountain biking are two of the fastest growing and most popular sports around! Enjoy some of the desert's most picturesque nature trails by bike with qualified guides leading the way. You'll not only enjoy the thrills of mountain and cross-country desert biking, you may also learn about the area's rich history, the native plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert and how Arizona's first residents, the Native Americans, used desert plants for food, medicine and more.

Tour Length

Rides from two to four hours are available. Custom length tours can often be arranged. Check with the individual tour companies for details. Rides are available for all skill levels (even if you haven't ridden a bike since grade school) and range from easy to challenging.

Special Attire

Closed-toe athletic shoes are a good choice. Shorts, biking shorts and T-shirts are the norm. If you're biking in the cooler months or in the early morning, you might also want to bring a light jacket or windbreaker.

Adventure Tips

Protective gear (helmets, gloves, pads) are typically provided - verify this when making your reservations. The minimum age for riders may vary from company to company. As a general rule, all riders must be able to ride, control and dismount a mountain bike.

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Rock Climbing & Rappelling

Have you ever walked along the base of a tall cliff or rock formation and wondered what the view was like from the top? Don't just wonder - find out! Professional climbing leaders can help you experience the thrill of recreational rock climbing and rappelling. You'll experience some of the desert's most beautiful scenery from new heights, while building your self confidence and enjoying a great sense of accomplishment.

Tour Length

Half-, full- and multi-day programs are available.

Special Attire

Wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants or shorts. Comfortable hiking boots or tennis shoes are recommended for walking in the climbing area. Bring a sweater or jacket for outings in the winter or at higher elevations.

Adventure Tips

Rock climbing shoes, helmets, harnesses, ropes and other climbing gear will be provided. In addition to the items mentioned in the Preparing for Your Adventure section, also bring a bandana and tissue.