Our guided hiking trips are designed to be more than a simple nature walk while still accessible to a wide range of ability so that individuals of modest fitness levels, as well as more active ones, will enjoy themselves. All of the trails where we lead guided hikes have been chosen not only for their scenic beauty but also their accessibility, safety, and low volume of visitors. Combined, these factors afford our guests an unforgettable Sonoran Desert experience. Our most popular hiking routes are in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, where a large variety of trails are available to accommodate all levels of hikers. Other hiking locations are available.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 160 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Sonoran Desert Guided Hike lasts about 2 hours.
Prices start at $129 per person for this Scottsdale experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 22 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Cliff Creek Outfitters.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
This hike was just the right distance and right amount of time for my family. The scenery was fantastic, and our guide, Steve, was very helpful and knowledgable, and made sure we stayed hydrated and comfortable.
Glad to hear the hike hit the mark for your family. Steve is a great guide so we're also glad to hear that he made your experience even more special. We'll pass along the kind words. Please visit us again in the future!
Had a great hike with Ken, a very knowledgeable and experienced guide with a wealth of knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Hike itself was moderate in distance and elevation, about 5 miles in under 3 hrs. Highly recommend.
We're glad Ken was able to make your hiking experience great. Thanks for sharing your experience!
My mom and I had an absolute blast with our wonderful guide, Jim. He thoughtfully tailored the hike to our abilities, checking in with us throughout, and shared his extensive knowledge of desert flora/fauna and indigenous and Arizona history. He provided and carried multiple bottles of water and snacks for us and answered all our questions with stories and fun facts. I can’t recommend this company highly enough for a family-friendly experience introducing you to views, stories, and history of the gorgeous Sonora Desert and McDowell Mountains. Thank you, Jim!!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We are so glad you and your mom had a great time with Jim. He is truly one of a kind and we love how he brings the desert to life with his knowledge, care, and passion for Arizona history, flora, and fauna. We are grateful to have him on our team and will be sure to share your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable adventure in the Sonoran Desert and McDowell Mountains.
My tour guide, Larry, was incredibly insightful and knowledgeable about the history and landscape of the Sonoran Desert. I learned so much throughout the experience—it was both educational and enjoyable
Thank you very much for the kind words! We'll pass this along to Larry. He'll be happy to hear that he was able to make your experience so memorable. We hope you'll visit us again int he future!
Excellent trip . Kathy was knowledgeable and interesting. Snacks and water were nice extras. Easy hike and great views from the top.
Our small family (teen to adult) enjoyed a great hike with Ed. He correctly determined which trail would be a little challenging but also within reach given our varying fitness levels. He clearly loves sharing the desert with others, and had a lot of knowledge about the area and the flora and fauna. He also knew the where to take great pictures. Having Ed as our guide made this a stress-free experience!
Booked this tour for myself and two teenage daughters. So glad we did. Denny, our guide for the day, made the 4 mile hike (2 miles each way) so enjoyable with his knowledge of the area, plants and history. Much more fun than doing it on our own. And he carried all the water and snacks which was a plus and much appreciated.
We enjoyed the hike on the McDowell preserve. Our tour guide Bob was great and knowledge! He allowed us to pace ourselves and had snacks/water. I would definitely do again!
Bob was amazing! Great time. Was longer than expected- plan to be hiking for 3 hours. Great views. Bob had ice cold water and snacks for us which was such a nice touch.
Hiking tour through the desert 🏜 with my daughter. Learning more information about desert 🌵 life in Arizona.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoran Desert Guided Hike | 2 hours | 5.0 (22) | $129 | |
 Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset | 2 hours | 5.0 (2,776) | $155 | View |
 Desert Off-Road UTV Tour, 2 hours, 2 people per vehicle | 2 hours | 5.0 (1,674) | $179 | View |
 Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour - 2.5 Hours | 2h 30min | 5.0 (160) | $135 | View |
 Scottsdale & Phoenix 2 Hour Guided Desert UTV Tour | 2 hours | 5.0 (121) | $450 | View |
 ATV or UTV 2 Person Guided Offroad Desert Adventure Scottsdale | 2 hours | 4.9 (92) | $175 | View |
 Scottsdale Sunset UTV Tour Bigfoot Desert Adventure UTV Tours | 2h 15min | 5.0 (49) | $189 | View |