3
Highly recommended
Excellent service, communication and overall experience!
Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix
+4 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Price from
- $174 / person
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 278 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 13
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Phoenix
Description
Spend the day following the historic Apache Trail on a guided true wilderness adventure. Enjoy a visit to Goldfield Ghost Town, Tortilla Flat, and a boat ride on Canyon Lake. It's a perfect day out in the Sonoran Desert. Enjoy this small-group tour limited to just 13 people in a custom van with leather captain's chairs.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Only minutes from the city, the Apache Trail is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Sonoran desert. Arizona’s first designated “Historic Highway” and a scenic byway, the original Apache Trail was a footpath by which the local Apache Tribe traveled through the Superstition Mountains.
View these stunning desert mountains as you drive along the Apache Trail
During your tour along the Apache Trail, you will also be treated to a steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake by the famous Dolly Steamboat.
As part of the six mile narrated nature cruise, there may be opportunities to see bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and a host of other desert animals as well as unforgettable views of 1,300 ft. volcanic cliff walls of Canyon Lake.
Tortilla Flat has become a fixture of the Apache Trail since its inception in 1904. Not fire, drought, or bandits could destroy this hearty stage stop which holds onto its rich tradition through its architecture and unique decorating sense. If you get too warm, you can quite literally “saddle up” to the bar and enjoy a cold beverage to cool you down. This rugged landscape in the Sonoran Desert has been the jewel that some men were looking for with the most famous involving the Lost Dutchman Mine. Rumored to have found the largest gold vein in the west, German immigrant Jacob Waltz trusted his newly found gold deposit to no one and the secret of its location was buried with him. If you have the “golden eye” maybe you can spot it while on tour!
Two of the more colorful stops along the Apache Trail are Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat.
Goldfield, aptly named after the precious metal found in the area, was incorporated in 1892. For five long years this town was a gold miner’s paradise, however, soon after the vein stopped producing Goldfield quickly turned into a gold mining ghost town. During the tour you will have a chance to spend time in this restored ghost town practicing your gold panning techniques, marveling at the original mining gear, or even spending some time at Lu Lu’s Bordello if you dare.
Highlights
Bottled water
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off. Even if your hotel is on the list, we may need you to meet elsewhere.
1.5 Hour Nature Cruise
What's included
Included
Bottled water
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off. Even if your hotel is on the list, we may need you to meet elsewhere.
1.5 Hour Nature Cruise
Not included
Gratuities
Food
Pickup Locations & Times
Please note: We do not pick up at private residences and we do not guarantee pickup for all hotels. Even if your hotel is on the list, there may be a chance you'll need to meet at an alternate location. If need be, the supplier will determine a location you can meet to be picked up for your excursion. Tour supplier contact details will be provided on your pre-paid voucher. FOR LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS: Any tours booked after 7:00PM Arizona time the night before the tour date might not be confirmed. You will likely have to meet at another hotel for pick up. Our office will contact you prior to 6:00am on the tour date.
Traveller Ratings
4.7
278 reviews
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- DETOURS American West is not responsible for road or viewing conditions due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
- Arizona state law requires children under 8 years to have either a child seat or booster. Child seats are not provided, please bring your own and notify supplier ahead of time.
- Minimum age is 3 years - you must notify supplier if you have any small children and confirm you will provide car seats.
- Wheelchairs or walkers that can fold up are acceptable on tour - you must notify supplier ahead of time
- You must let the supplier know if there are any mobility concerns that they should be aware of.
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- FOR LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS: Any tours booked after 7:00PM Arizona time the night before the tour date might not be confirmed. You will likely have to meet at another hotel for pick up. Our office will contact you prior to 6:00am on the tour date.
- A snack bar is available on board the Dolly Steamboat with water, sodas, snacks, and alcohol. Cash only.*
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix lasts about 8 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $174 per person for this Phoenix experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Please note: We do not pick up at private residences and we do not guarantee pickup for all hotels. Even if your hotel is on the list, there may be a chance you'll need to meet at an alternate location. If need be, the supplier will determine a location you can meet to be picked up for your excursion. Tour supplier contact details will be provided on your pre-paid voucher. FOR LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS: Any tours booked after 7:00PM Arizona time the night before the tour date might not be confirmed. You will likely have to meet at another hotel for pick up. Our office will contact you prior to 6:00am on the tour date. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyH7XaHzj+5zhyVpRcHgmNjI=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyFRrdxJVwlvB/c31234D2dI=.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 13 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Arizona state law requires children under 8 years to have either a child seat or booster. Child seats are not provided, please bring your own and notify supplier ahead of time. Minimum age is 3 years - you must notify supplier if you have any small children and confirm you will provide car seats.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchairs or walkers that can fold up are acceptable on tour - you must notify supplier ahead of time You must let the supplier know if there are any mobility concerns that they should be aware of.
Reviews(278)
J
Very beautiful
John was very informative and entertaining!
V
Jon was 10/10
Jon was great n gave loads of recommendations for food drinks, socials.. I just wish I had 10 more minutes in ghost town. But the slow season and high UV exposure meant 30 mins was all we had. The fudge is great, wish I got some now haha But we got to visit the superstitious mountains and the museum which was a plus! Jon also put on some music and helped take photos for us so that was an a plus plus! Quite an informative trip too Steamboat takes cash only unless you're willing to spend a minimum of 30 on card. The view is stunning I can't tell you how many photos I took Loads of water in the van so don't you worry about hydration. As a group Jon also got us to do an ice breaker at the beginning which was a nice touch! 10/10
Operator response
We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Jon. We always hope for a 5 star review, so please let us know what we could have done better to earn that 5 stars. Thank you, Rachel
K
Great time!!
The guide was friendly, informative, and great. The tour bus was top notch. Steamboat was relaxing. The entire tour was perfect. Strong recommendation for all future guests to Scottsdale.
J
Tour for All
Very enjoyable tour. 13 people all together, so not a small group. The tour guide/driver was very knowledgeable and navigated the winding roads like a pro. The steamboat Dolly ride on Canyon Lake was really nice. Make sure you board early so you can sit outside on the upper deck for the best view. Tortilla Flats was a really nice lunch spot. Goldfield Ghost Town stop wasn’t really our thing , others seemed to enjoy. It was nice to see everything and definitely came away with great info about the dessert.
V
Chill on the Apache Trail
This tour is a relaxed, see-a-lot-of-places tour. Our guide was really friendly, knowledgable about the area and superstition mountain, kept us on pace, and I could tell he enjoyed being a guide. Some highlights were the Goldfield Ghost Town, a great you-pay lunch at Tortilla Flats ( once a stage coach stop), and a boat ride on Canyon Lake and the Salt River aboard the Dolly Steamboat. We were flying home the next day, so this was a perfect, low stress tour to wind down our week in Arizona.
C
Great day and beautiful landscape
Great day with fun driver. Very informative and knowledgeable and you can see his compassion for life and its beauty. Highly recommend. Aldo was our guide!
F
Apache tour in the Old West
A beautiful and well-organized tour. I really appreciated that they came to pick me up at the hotel even though it was not on the list. The guide was helpful and explained a lot of things. The cooler with water included was also very appreciated. The boat ride was nice, and especially having everything booked in advance and not having to wait in line.
V
Great Scenic Views the whole trip!
Very beautiful scenery and informative. Our guide Jordan was great! He took it nice and slow around the winding road which was appreciated!
K
Great adventure to have with friends!
We had a great time and Jay our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. The steamboat trip was spectacular.
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