Half-Day Sonoran Desert Hiking Tour

Covering over 100,000 square miles, the Sonoran Desert stretches up from Mexico into large parts of southern California and Arizona. This desert expanse is the only place in the world the towering Saguaro Cactus and Organ Pipe Cactus can be found, and it’s also the only habitat for the few remaining jaguars living in the U.S. This makes it one of the particularly unique Arizona hiking tours!

Journey Through the Desert

Sonoran Desert hiking is the only way to truly experience the desert – wandering along the dusty, rocky trails of the desert, winding in between the towering cacti and desert flora, looking for snake tracks in the sand, with the sun beating down on your head. The preserve is packed with desert wildlife including woodpeckers and roadrunners, snakes and lizards, mule deer and javelina. It’s a beautiful, glorious place, but also rugged and harsh. And, taking a guided tour of the desert is the best way for visitors to hike the desert safely, and learn about desert geology, its flora and fauna and history of the area. A guided tour allows you to focus on your amazing desert journey (while the guides worry about finding the way out).

Arizona Outback Adventures (AOA) offers guided Arizona hiking tours of the Sonoran Desert around Scottsdale. Most of their hikes use trails in the breathtaking McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Starting from the Preserve’s Gateway Trailhead, their knowledgeable guides will take you on a tour lasting 2 to 3 hours, departing at 8am, 11am and 2pm, seven days a week. Rates are $150/person for singles, $75/person for 2-3 people, and $60/person for 4+ people. For groups over 13, please call their office to schedule (866-455-1601). The AOA guides will also take care to modify the hike based on the group’s experience and fitness levels.

Booking Your Arizona Hiking Tours

You can book a private tour, or join up with others. Visit the AOA website for additional up-to-date information and to book your tour. Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes (closed toe), and to bring a sweater or light jacket for early morning hikes. Also pack some sunscreen, lip balm, a hat if you can, and don’t forget your camera! Tours include bottled water and snacks and park entry fees.

If you have a half-day to spend while in Scottsdale and want to truly experience the desert, schedule Arizona Outback Adventure’s Scottsdale Sonoran Desert Hiking Tour. You’ll get in a little exercise while enjoying this wild, amazing desert up close, and you might learn a little too.