Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour near Scottsdale: Tonto National Forest
The Jeep stays on rough terrain the whole time, and that's what makes the ride jarring enough to feel real.
A guide-led off-road Jeep tour through the Sonoran Desert near Scottsdale takes you into Tonto National Forest and past Pinnacle Peak on low-speed trails that climb and dip through rough ground. The certified off-road driver handles all the steering while you sit in a seven-seat Jeep and watch the desert flora and fauna change as the elevation shifts. Bottled water is included. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory, and the ride is bumpy enough that it is not suitable for anyone with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, motion sickness sensitivity, or neck problems.
Step-by-step itinerary
- Tonto National ForestEntry included2h 30m
- Pinnacle Peak Parkpassing by
Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour and Sightseeing
- Depart from trailhead near Pinnacle Peak
- Explore scenic Sonoran Desert trails
- Learn about desert flora and fauna
- Pass by Pinnacle Peak Park
- Pass by Reata Pass old stagecoach station
The experience
The trailhead sits 15 minutes northeast of Pinnacle Peak General Store, and the tour leaves promptly after you arrive. Your guide is a certified off-road driver who stays behind the wheel for the entire two hours. You are not driving, and the Jeep is lifted high enough that you have to climb a step ladder to get in. The vehicle holds seven people, and the operator holds a special recreation permit through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Land Management to run these trails.
The route moves through Tonto National Forest on the most scenic trails in the Scottsdale area, passing Pinnacle Peak, a granite summit that rises above the desert floor, and Reata Pass, where the last standing buildings of an 1880s stagecoach station still stand. The guide teaches you about the Sonoran desert as you go: what grows here, what lives here, how the landscape changes. This is a low-speed, bumpy ride through rough terrain. The jarring is the point, not a side effect. If you have ever wondered what the backcountry actually looks like when you are not on pavement, this is the answer.
Bring closed-toe shoes and water. Bottled water is provided. From November to February, warm clothing makes the ride more comfortable. If you have any condition that can be aggravated by a bumpy off-road ride (spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, motion sickness, neck problems), this tour is not a fit. Pregnant individuals cannot participate. Children under 8 need a car seat, which you must bring. The operator does not provide them. There is a 275-pound weight limit per seat.
What’s included
- Bottled water.
- a certified off-road guide driving the entire tour.
- access to Tonto National Forest trails and Pinnacle Peak.
Information
Lasts 2h, runs Monday to Saturday at 08:00, from US$ 250 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Scottsdale Adventure Tours
Is this one for you?Two hours is short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without reshaping your day, but long enough to move deep into the backcountry and see the stagecoach ruins at Reata Pass. If you have a spinal condition, neck problems, poor cardiovascular health, or motion sickness, or if you are pregnant, this tour is not safe for you. The bumpy ride through rough terrain is not a feature that can be softened.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 17 years).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is Pinnacle Peak and why does the tour go there?
Pinnacle Peak is a granite summit in Scottsdale that rises above the desert floor. The tour passes it on the scenic trails through Tonto National Forest, and the views from the surrounding terrain are part of what makes these particular trails worth the bumpy ride.
Will I be driving the Jeep or will the guide drive?
The certified off-road driver is the only person driving the Jeep throughout the entire tour. You sit as a passenger in the seven-seat vehicle and experience the terrain without handling the wheel.
How bumpy is this ride, and who should not book it?
The tour is a low-speed, jarring ride through rough terrain: that is the nature of off-road trails. It is not recommended for anyone with spinal injuries, neck problems, poor cardiovascular health, motion sickness sensitivity, or any condition aggravated by bumpy rides. Pregnant individuals cannot participate.
What do I need to bring or wear?
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Bottled water is included, but you can bring your own. From November to February, warm clothing is strongly recommended. If you are bringing a child under 8, you must provide a car seat. The operator does not supply them.
Where does the tour start, and how long does it take?
The trailhead is located 15 minutes northeast of Pinnacle Peak General Store. The tour runs for two hours and leaves promptly after the scheduled start time, so arrive 15 minutes early.
Is there a weight limit for this tour?
Yes, there is a 275-pound weight limit per seat. If you need to discuss special arrangements, contact the operator's office before booking.
Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour near Scottsdale: Tonto National Forest
2h · EN
from US$ 250 per person