Scottsdale UTV Tour: Drive Tonto Forest with Music & Lights

You drive the UTV through winding canyons and open desert while your guide leads from ahead.

A 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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided UTV adventure in desert

• Drive through Tonto National Forest
• Explore winding canyons and desert trails
• View desert wildlife and mountain vistas
• Stop at Rio Verde River

The experience

You drive the UTV yourself through winding canyons, scenic desert trails and wide-open vistas filled with towering saguaros and rugged mountain views. The guide leads from the front vehicle, offering insights into the landscape and wildlife you pass. A stop at the Rio Verde River breaks up the ride, and the whole route takes 2 hours 15 minutes. Safety gear (helmet, goggles, seat belt, door net and gaiter neck) is mandatory and included, along with bottled water and a light snack to keep you going.

What sets this tour apart is the onboard speaker system: you control the music playing through your UTV while you ride. Rock lights and whip lights on the vehicles add visual flair to the experience, and the operator is the only company in the area offering this setup. Vehicle assignments depend on your group size: a 2-seater for two guests, a 4-seater for three to four, and larger groups split across multiple vehicles. Single riders get their own vehicle at the single-rider rate. Kids as young as 4 can join, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with very young children.

The tour operates from a GPS-marked starting point in the Scottsdale area (coordinates 33.741623, -111.734575), and your guide speaks both English and French. If you'd prefer the guide to drive while you ride as a passenger, contact the operator in advance to arrange that option. Required permits are handled as part of the tour.

What’s included

• Your own UTV to drive.
• professional guide leading from the front.
• safety gear (helmet, goggles, seat belt, door net, gaiter neck).
• onboard speaker system for your music.
• rock lights and whip lights on the vehicles.
• bottled water and light snack.
• photos and videos.
• required permits.
• guide commentary in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:15

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bigfoot Desert Adventure UTV Tours

Is this one for you?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.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What's the Tonto National Forest like on this UTV tour?

Tonto National Forest on this route features winding canyons, scenic desert trails, towering saguaros, and rugged mountain views. You'll stop at the Rio Verde River during the 2 hour 15 minute ride, passing through both open desert and canyon terrain.

Do I have to drive the UTV myself, or can the guide drive?

You drive your own UTV during the tour, with the guide leading from the front vehicle. If you'd prefer the guide to drive while you ride as a passenger, contact the operator in advance to arrange that.

What vehicles do groups get assigned?

Vehicle assignment depends on group size: 2 guests ride in a 2-seater; 3–4 guests in a 4-seater; 5–6 guests split between one 4-seater and one 2-seater; 7–8 guests in two 4-seaters. Single riders get their own vehicle at the single-rider rate.

What safety gear is included?

Safety gear is mandatory and included: helmet, goggles, seat belt, door net and gaiter neck. Every guest signs a waiver before the tour begins.

Can I bring my own music to listen to while riding?

Yes, the UTV has an onboard speaker system so you can play your own music while you ride, an exclusive feature this operator offers.

What's the age requirement to drive or join the tour?

Drivers must be 21 or older with a valid driver's license. Guests can be as young as 4 years old, and specialized infant seats are available for very young children.