Things to do in Arizona
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Hoover Dam Kayaking: 6 Hot Springs, 4 Waterfalls, Sauna CaveThis 7- to 9-hour kayaking trip on the Colorado River launches from the base of Hoover Dam using restricted-access permits and paddles 12 miles through the Black Canyon to reach geothermal hot springs, slot canyons and waterfalls that are closed to day hikers during summer heat. You kayak to Sauna Cave (a 140-degree geothermal tunnel), soak at Gold Strike Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs, climb a rope up Boyscout Canyon's 400-foot rain cave, and paddle past Emerald Cave and Lone Palm Falls. The trip includes single or tandem kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and a live English-speaking guide; you choose return either from Willow Beach or back to Hoover Dam Lodge. Hoover Dam permit fees apply.Is it for me?Book this trip if you want to see multiple geothermal hot springs and slot canyons in one day—the kayak route is the only way to access all six springs and four waterfalls together, since hiking trails to these sites close during summer heat. Choose the Willow Beach return if you're comfortable driving yourself home, or the Hoover Dam Lodge shuttle if you'd rather not navigate after a full day on the water.
Grand Canyon: Day tour from Sedona with ruins & lava fieldsYou’ll walk ancient Sinagua ruins near Sedona, touch cooled lava at Sunset Crater, shop for Navajo crafts at Cameron Trading Post, and finally stand above the vastness of Grand Canyon South Rim with time to explore on your own — all with a local guide who knows every story along the way. It’s a day you’ll remember long after you leave Arizona behind.
Phoenix Party Bike: Private Group Pedal & Bar Crawl DowntownYou and up to thirteen others pedal one party bike through downtown Phoenix's bar scene for two hours, hitting Arizona Wilderness Brewing, a warehouse bar with all-day happy hour, a hidden speakeasy, and Roosevelt Row's breweries and venues. Drink specials are included, BYO is legal on the bike, and a driver handles navigation while you handle the pedaling. Pickup and drop-off from downtown meeting points are included.Is it for me?Right for groups of six to fourteen who want to bar crawl downtown Phoenix without arranging transportation or worrying about designated drivers — the whole crew stays together on one bike, and the fixed two-hour window keeps the energy moving without dragging into the night.
Scottsdale Sunset UTV Riding: Tonto National ForestSunset UTV riding in Tonto National Forest near Scottsdale puts you behind the wheel of a Honda Talon 1000 for 2 hours 15 minutes of guided off-road riding through canyon terrain and scenic desert routes, with a stop at the Rio Verde River. The tour includes a live guide in English or French, safety gear, bottled water, light snacks, and photos and videos captured during the ride; you drive your own vehicle while the guide leads from the front, and vehicle size is assigned based on group size (single riders get their own 2-seater, pairs ride 2-seaters, groups of three to four ride 4-seaters). Riders must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver's license, and every guest signs a waiver before departure.Is it for me?Book this if your group is between two and eight people and you want to drive yourself through the desert instead of watching from a passenger seat — the guide leads from the front, you operate your own vehicle, and the sunset timing means you're riding when the light is best and the temperature drops.
Scottsdale UTV Tour: Drive Tonto Forest with Music & LightsA guided UTV adventure in Scottsdale where you drive your own vehicle through Tonto National Forest, navigating canyons, desert trails and saguaro-filled vistas while a professional guide leads from the front. The tour runs 2 hours 15 minutes and includes safety gear, bottled water, a light snack, and an onboard speaker system so you can play your own music while riding. Guests drive their own UTV; single riders get their own vehicle, and groups of 2–8 are assigned 2-seater or 4-seater UTVs based on party size. Every guest signs a waiver, and drivers must be 21 or older with a valid license.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and French, so if you're comfortable following commentary in either language, you'll get the full landscape and wildlife context as you ride. Groups stay small enough that the guide can adjust the pace and stops to what your party wants to do.
Sonoran Desert Evening Wild Food & Survival Skills TourYou’ll get your hands dirty (in a good way) foraging wild foods and learning old-school survival tricks in the Sonoran Desert. If you want more than just a walk—something hands-on and memorable—this is it.
Kayaking Saguaro Lake: Paddle desert canyons with a guideGuided kayaking on Saguaro Lake near Phoenix takes you across the water between cliff-lined shores and canyon inlets, with a local guide who has paddled these lakes for over 15 years and holds American Canoe Association certification. You meet at Butcher Jones Recreation Site, paddle the shoreline to Willow Springs Canyon for a snack break, and return the same route—the whole outing runs three hours. Small groups keep the pace relaxed and the experience personal.Is it for me?The three-hour paddle keeps the day short enough for a summer afternoon escape or a winter outing without a full-day commitment, and the small-group format means the guide adjusts the pace to the water and the paddlers rather than pushing a fixed schedule.
Salt River Rafting: 10 miles of Class II–III whitewaterThis full-day guided rafting trip on Arizona's Salt River puts you in a self-bailing raft for 10 miles of Class II–III whitewater with a few Class IV drops, paddling through desert canyon cliffs and stopping for a grilled steak lunch at an established riverside camp. The trip runs 6 hours total, includes all gear (helmets, wetsuits, splash jackets, PFDs), a trained guide, and shuttle service back to your vehicle on rugged Apache Road. Children from age 8 are welcome; participants should have moderate fitness and be ready to paddle.Is it for me?The guides speak English and lead the trip at a pace suited to mixed groups, so families with kids from age 8 and groups of friends at different fitness levels can paddle together comfortably. The 6-hour commitment means you get the full Salt River experience — 10 miles of continuous rapids, a hot lunch break and the canyon scenery — without an overnight commitment.
Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip from Flagstaff: Ruins & LavaYou visit three distinct landscapes—ancient pueblo ruins, a volcanic crater with lava fields, and the Grand Canyon South Rim—all in one day without arranging your own transport or park entry. Hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, and all park fees are included. Departs 8–8:30am daily and returns around 5–5:30pm.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Grand Canyon South Rim plus two lesser-known Arizona landmarks in one day without renting a car or navigating park logistics yourself—the fixed schedule and included transport are what fit all three stops into a single afternoon.
Sedona Sightseeing Tour: Chapel, Rock Formations & TlaquepaqueA 2.5-hour guided sightseeing tour of Sedona takes you through Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, past Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, and into the Chapel of the Holy Cross for a 20-minute stop to view the relics and the geology outside. The guide covers the red rock formations, early settler history and Native American landmarks, with a second 20-minute stop at a famous overlook for photos and more geological detail. Children from age 2 are welcome; parking is included.Is it for me?You're on a guided tour with a driver and a guide who narrates the geology and history as you move through the landmarks, so you're not navigating or researching on your own—this suits travelers who want the story behind what they're seeing without the planning. The 2.5-hour length fits a morning or afternoon without taking the whole day.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim: Shared Shuttle & Park EntryYou ride in an air-conditioned shuttle from Las Vegas through Williams and Tusayan to Grand Canyon South Rim, with an experienced driver handling the route. The trip takes several hours and covers high desert landscape; you explore the park on your own time once you arrive. National Park entry fees apply for international visitors and are paid on-site. The service requires a minimum passenger count to operate, so book early to secure your spot.Is it for me?This works if you want to reach Grand Canyon South Rim from Las Vegas without driving yourself or arranging a private transfer—the fixed schedule and shared cost make it the simplest way to get there and back, as long as you're not trying to squeeze other time-sensitive plans into the same day.
Private Wine Tour Sedona: 3 Stops, Local GuideA private wine tour in Sedona with door-to-door VIP pickup, a local guide in English or Spanish, and three customizable stops at vineyards, breweries or distilleries on Page Springs Road and beyond. You choose which stops suit your group, bring your own wine and snacks into the van, control the music, and get a charcuterie, fruit or hummus plate to enjoy with each tasting. The guide photographs the day for you.Is it for me?If your group speaks English or Spanish, the guide delivers the full commentary in your language. Bring your own wine and snacks if you want to control what you taste and eat, or let the guide recommend stops and pairings based on what the group prefers.
Mohave Desert Private UTV Tour & Mountain ViewsYou’ll drive your own UTV through Nevada’s Mohave Desert with a local guide, explore abandoned mines near Katherine Mine, and climb up rugged mountain trails for views over an untouched lake. With free photos included and plenty of laughs along the way, it’s an off-road day trip from Vegas you’ll remember long after you shake out the dust.
Sedona ATV Rentals: Red Rocks & Verde River 8-HourYou get an 8-hour ATV rental with fuel, helmet, goggles and map included, plus the freedom to choose your own route through Sedona's red rocks, Sycamore Canyon and the Verde River. No fixed itinerary, no guide, no group — just you, the terrain and the whole day to explore at your own pace. Pickup and return happen at the rental location in Sedona or Cottonwood.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to explore Sedona's red rocks and canyons without joining a tour group or arranging their own transport — the rental gives you the whole day and the freedom to stop wherever you want, which is what makes the landscape feel like it's yours to discover instead of something you're being shown.
Sunset E-Bike Tour: Saguaro National Park East, TucsonA 2-hour guided e-bike tour of Saguaro National Park, East in Tucson takes place at sunset on select days in March and April, with park entry, helmet, e-bike and English-speaking guide included. The tour covers 8 miles of scenic trails lined with towering saguaro cacti and wildflowers, timed so the ride ends as the desert sky turns orange, pink and purple. Riders must be comfortable on a pedal bike, between 110 and 260 pounds, and 5'1" to 6'5" tall; the last portion of the ride happens in low light.Is it for me?Book this if you want a shorter sunset ride in a group with a guide; choose the full-day tour instead if you prefer riding solo or tackling more distance and elevation.
Salt River Rafting: 10 miles of Class III–IV rapidsSalt River full-day express rafting is a guided small-group whitewater adventure on Arizona's Salt River for ages 12 and up, packing 10 miles of Class III–IV rapids into a 3-hour paddle with no downtime. You meet at the satellite location on the Fort Apache Reservation, suit up in provided gear, get a safety briefing, and paddle constant Class II and III rapids before tackling the grand finale rapid near the takeout. The shuttle back to your vehicle runs along Apache Road, which the operator notes can be just as exciting as the river itself. Wetsuits and wetsuit boots are included in March and April; helmets, splash jackets and personal flotation devices come with every trip.Is it for me?Book this express option if you want the Salt River's best whitewater packed into a single afternoon without overnight logistics—the condensed 3-hour paddle keeps you paddling constantly and cuts out the downtime of a standard full-day trip.
Salt River: Whitewater rafting trip with guide & lunchYou’ll paddle through wild desert canyons on Arizona’s Salt River, guided by locals who know every twist of the water. Expect cold splashes, saguaro forests, riverside fajitas for lunch, and moments of real quiet between rapids — plus pickup back to your car at day’s end. It’s a day you’ll remember long after you’ve dried off.
Kayaking Saguaro Lake: 3 hours on the waterKayak or paddleboard Saguaro Lake in Arizona for 3 hours, starting with mandatory orientation covering basic paddling, water safety and the lake geography, then paddling independently through canyon and cliffside scenery. Single sit-on-top kayaks and paddleboards are available; life jacket and paddle included. Participants must be at least 10 years old, comfortable in the water, and able to manage an unguided excursion on their own.Is it for me?You paddle solo on your own route for the full 3 hours after a brief orientation, which suits anyone comfortable managing the water independently and wanting to set their own pace through the canyons—not a guided tour where someone leads the way.
Tombstone Day Trip from Phoenix: OK Corral & Allen StreetYou'll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle from Phoenix to Tombstone with a group of no more than five people, spend time exploring Allen Street's shops and restaurants, visit the OK Corral and Birdcage Theater, tour the Courthouse Museum to understand the 1880s shootout history, and walk the graveyard where the victims are buried. Bottled water is included, and the pace gives you room to linger at each stop instead of moving through on a schedule.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Tombstone's main 1880s sites without driving yourself or coordinating multiple stops — the small group and fixed itinerary handle the logistics, leaving you free to absorb the history at your own pace.
Salt River Rafting: Class II & III Rapids in ArizonaSalt River half-day rafting in Arizona puts you in a raft paddling class II and III rapids for 5 miles on a lesser-known section of the river on the Fort Apache Reservation. Guides certified to class III standards lead groups of 8 or fewer; helmets, wetsuits, splash jackets and personal flotation devices are included, and the shuttle back to your vehicle is part of the trip. Children from age 8 can paddle, though the activity requires moderate fitness and active paddling from everyone in the boat.Is it for me?The 3-hour window leaves your morning or afternoon free—book an early start and you're back by early afternoon, or take the later slot and still have daylight left. Paddling is required throughout, so this suits anyone with moderate fitness who wants to be active on the water, not passive; it's not the choice if you prefer guides doing the work while you watch from the boat.
