Scottsdale possesses a natural advantage over other destinations because this sophisticated oasis, located in the heart of the rugged Sonoran Desert, is surrounded by a rich legacy of mountains, parks, and wildlife, providing opportunity for adventure that is second to none. Soar through the cloudless sky in a hot air balloon amidst mountain peaks and towering Saguaro cacti as you race the rising sun, feel the rush of excitement when you maneuver a Chevrolet Corvette around a tricky corner at top speed, and fulfill your childhood dream of ropin’ and ridin’ like the best of cowboys. And, even though the Sonoran Desert is the ideal landscape for thrill-seekers, Scottsdale also is home to indoor adventures like rock-climbing and cart-racing that will make your heart pound.
Scottsdale is bordered by the McDowell Mountains and Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve (www.mcdowellsonoran.org), 16,460 acres of protected land for mountain biking, hiking and backpacking. The Preserve offers guided hikes that range from three to more than eight miles in length. In May 2009, the Gateway opened as the main entrance, incorporating eco-friendly architecture and using rock and soil excavated from the area for the walls of its administration building. Currently, the Gateway is awaiting approval for the United States Green Building Council’s LEED certification. Other favored trails can be found at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, Squaw Peak and the Superstition Mountains. www.aoa-adventures.com, www.360-adventures.com, www.desertbikingadventures.com, www.windwalkerexpeditions.com, www.takeahikearizona.com
Professional climbing guides help you experience the thrill of recreational rock climbing and rappelling amidst some of the desert’s most beautiful scenery while building your self-confidence and enjoying a great sense of accomplishment. The McDowell, Granite and Cholla mountains are hot spots for the booming sport of recreational rock climbing. Canyoneering might be a new word for your vocabulary but one experience will have you hooked. Take a journey to the Roosevelt Lake area where you’ll be exposed to hiking, wading, swimming, scrambling and rappelling excursions through one of geology’s most impressive feats – the canyon. www.360-adventures.com, www.aoa-adventures.com
Off road Jeep and Hummer tours are a thrilling way to enjoy the desert’s Old West history and experience its beautiful flora and fauna. 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 activities can include gold panning, pistol shooting, jeep/horseback and jeep/river rafting combinations, chuck-wagon cookouts, and more. Prefer to drive yourself? Desert Wolf Tours offers self-pilot tours using their fleet of Tomcars, originally developed as Israeli Defense vehicles. Drivers and passengers romp through the desert at their own pace and can even practice target shooting with a NRA certified rifle and pistol instructor. www.roadrunneradventures.com, www.stellaradventures.com, www.azadventures.com, www.dshummer.com, www.desertwolftours.com
Enjoy a sunrise horseback ride through the McDowell Mountains followed by a hearty cowboy cookout for breakfast. From high in the saddle, you’ll see exotic cactus, rolling desert foothills and crystalline streams. As you explore the 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 Sonoran Desert. www.fortmcdowelladventures.com
HOT AIR BALLOONING & AERIAL ADVENTURES
Hot air ballooning is a tranquil yet exciting experience for visitors of all ages. Sunrise and sunset flights provide magnificent vistas of desert terrain and towering mountain ranges. The view from the balloon’s handcrafted wicker basket is virtually unobstructed – a photographer’s dream! Upon landing, you are welcomed back to earth in the traditional manner with flutes of champagne and breakfast, a custom dating back more than 100 years. For the more adventurous, powerchuting provides another unforgettable airborne adventure. Fly low above the Sonoran Desert in a powered parachute to explore exotic plant and wildlife or high above the mountains for a panoramic vista, all at a constant 26 mph. Or pick up the speed in a private plane for a scenic day trip to Sedona or the Grand Canyon. www.hotairexpeditions.com, www.theballoonpeople.net, www.unicornballoon.com, www.rainbowryders.com, www.arizonapowerchutes.com, www.westwindairservice.com
RIVER RAFTING, KAYAKING, FISHING & WATER SPORTS
In Arizona, rivers, streams, and lakes are lush, pristine oases surrounded on all sides by the 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. If you aren’t equipped with gear, several Scottsdale-based adventure travel companies provide raft and kayak trips on both the Salt and Verde rivers. These excursions offer the opportunity to view the desert wildlife including eagles, herons, egrets, hawks and occasionally larger species such as coyotes, javelina and deer. Anglers will find largemouth bass, trout, crappie, catfish, yellow bass and sunfish populating local rivers and lakes. 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 or a parasail or lay back and relax while tubing down a river.
www.aoa-adventures.com, www.desertvoyagers.com, www.mild2wildrafting.com, www.cimarrontours.com
LEISURE WALKS & LAID-BACK ADVENTURE
Scottsdale offers many beautiful places for leisurely walks and romantic strolls. Browse through the Desert Botanical Garden’s (www.dbg.org) many exhibits including the Cactus House, Succulent House, Sonoran Desert Ecology Trail and more. Moonlight walks and outdoor evening concerts are offered during the warmer months. Walking and biking trails abound in Scottsdale’s signature greenbelt area along the Indian Bend Wash. The park includes a small lake for fishing, a playground, picnicking, swimming pool and more. Located in the eastern foothills of the majestic McDowell Mountains, McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers picnic tables, easy walking trails and up-close access to the Sonoran Desert. www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell
