Think Scottsdale only caters to rich holidaymakers, avid golfers and baseball fanatics? Think again. Discover these brilliant outdoor activities in Scottsdale, Arizona, for your next trip.
I have to be honest: the first time I went to Scottsdale, I thought it was really the preserve of wealthy holidaymakers, golfers, baseball fans or some combination of all three.
As a person who doesn’t tick any of those boxes, I didn’t really know what to expect from my visit. Would there be any outdoor activities in Scottsdale that would take my fancy? Would I enjoy myself?!
Luckily, I had a total blast in Scottsdale, thanks to its amazing variety of outdoor activities and the beautiful scenery surrounding the area. Dotted with saguaro cacti, rock formations and vast flatlands, Scottsdale’s stretch of the Sonoran Desert is full of surprises for any kind of traveller.
Anyway, I’ll cast my rambling to the desert winds and cut to the chase: Scottsdale is unexpectedly awesome for adventure travellers. Here are some amazing Scottsdale adventures to prove it.
Incredible outdoor activities in Scottsdale for adventure lovers
Summit Camelback Mountain at sunrise
Camelback Mountain is one of the Phoenix area’s classic summit hikes, and it’s perfect for hiking for most of the year.
Of course, this one belongs on every list of outdoor adventures in Scottsdale, but I’m recommending it with a twist. Instead of going up later in the day with the crowds, I recommend getting up early and tackling one of the beautiful hikes near Phoenix and Scottsdale with the rising sun.
Not only will the trails be less crowded, but the air will be cooler and the sun along the horizon makes for some gorgeous morning light across the landscape.
There are two routes to the summit: Echo Canyon and the Cholla Trail. Both are tough. Echo Canyon is the shorter, steeper and more popular route, at about 2.5 miles out and back with around 1,260 ft of climbing, and there are handrails and some scrambling on the steepest sections.
The Cholla Trail is a little longer, at about 3 miles out and back. It starts more gently but finishes with a steep, rocky scramble along the ridge to the top, so it isn’t for the faint-hearted!
Top tip: The Echo Canyon car park is often full by 9am, and there’s no car park at all for the Cholla Trail (just limited street parking), so it’s easiest to take a taxi or rideshare. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset, and the City of Phoenix closes them from 8am to 5pm on Extreme Heat Warning days, so check before you go in summer.
Go kayaking on the Lower Salt River
You all know I love a good day on the water, and Scottsdale was no exception.
I was surprised to learn that the Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in North America, and that it has a river running right through it!
The Lower Salt River is lined with greenery and is home to tons of wildlife, including bald eagles and wild horses (there were around 270 in the herd in 2026). While I was there, I saw the cutest and most majestic horse families splashing around in the river, and I absolutely loved it.
A kayaking excursion on the Lower Salt River is a fantastic way to explore this beautiful area outside of Scottsdale. During the summer, it’s best to go in the early morning with a local guide who can monitor the water levels and choose the right route for your skill level.
Cliff Creek Outfitters (formerly Arizona Outback Adventures) runs guided kayak and rafting trips on the Lower Salt River, with all the gear included.
Top tip: If you’re going independently, you’ll need a Tonto Pass to park at the river ($8 per vehicle per day if you buy it in advance, or $12 from the machines on site). Some stretches of the river near bald eagle nests close from 1 December to 30 June each year.
Explore the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Explore more than 30,000 acres of protected desert wilderness in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
The preserve is free, open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, and the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts. More than 230 miles of trails cut through cactus forests and desert wildflowers, with routes for both casual cyclists and serious mountain bikers.
More daring adventurers can head for the preserve’s climbing areas, with bolted routes up its granite crags.
If you don’t have much experience of the outdoors, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy runs free guided hikes and bike rides every week from October to April.
Ride a mountain bike through the desert trails
Scottsdale is a mountain biker’s playground.
Thrill seekers will love the hundreds of miles of rocky descents and sandy, winding trails just half an hour from the city. Although I didn’t get a chance to go biking, I saw tons of people on the trails riding through the gorgeous desert wilderness.
Most of the popular trails are in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which has more than 50 miles of trails including the purpose-built Competitive Track loops ($10 per vehicle), and in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
While you can simply rent a bike and hit the trails on your own, I’d recommend taking a guided tour to see the best that the Sonoran Desert has to offer.
These guided bike and e-bike tours are the perfect way to explore Scottsdale with an expert local guide, and include all the gear you’ll need.
Learn about desert flora and fauna on a guided tour
One of the most peculiar and fascinating things about the Sonoran Desert is the sheer number of plants and animals that call it home.
Thanks to its two rainy seasons, gentle winter rains and the summer monsoon, the Sonoran Desert is thought to have the greatest variety of species of any desert in North America.
By taking a guided tour, you can spot some of the unique species that live in the desert, and learn about local animals, plants and edible ingredients you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
At The Boulders, they offer guided plant and wildlife tours, led by a wicked smart woman named Brandy. She knows everything about the local plants and animals, including what can be eaten and what can’t. She drove me around the resort grounds and pointed out tons of interesting plants and animals that I wouldn’t otherwise have known anything about.
If you aren’t staying at The Boulders, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s free guided hikes are a great alternative.
Go rock climbing on the giant Sonoran rock formations
Before climbing in Scottsdale, I’d only ever climbed outdoors once, and it was kind of a traumatic experience.
Needless to say, I was apprehensive about giving outdoor climbing a second shot. However, Rico, my climbing guide, was kind, patient and trustworthy, instantly putting me at ease. He walked me through the ropes (haha, get it?), got me set up with equipment, and brought me out to one of Scottsdale’s iconic rock formations to climb one of its faces.
It wasn’t a tough grade, but it was a challenging climb! Instead of clearly marked holds, I had to search for where to put my hands and feet, which was something new for me. However, Rico was there to cheer me on and keep me safe, belaying me all the way to the top as I admired the amazing views of the desert around me.
He mentioned that he works with beginner to advanced climbers, and that he’s happy to help people climb who have never done it before.
360 Adventures also offers half and full-day guided outdoor rock climbing trips, perfect if you want a certified guide to show you some of the most amazing climbing routes in the area.
Whether you’re a seasoned climber or totally new to it, you can give it a try in the Scottsdale area.
Drift through the sky on a sunrise hot air balloon ride
If riding in a hot air balloon isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. And there’s really no better place to give it a try than Scottsdale. Ballooning has become one of the more popular adventures here, but it’s still an incredibly magical experience.
But it doesn’t come without some sacrifices.
First of all, you’ve got to get up very early (my shuttle was at around 3:30 or 4am, though the time changes with the seasons), which isn’t easy, but it’s worth it to watch the golden sun creep above the horizon from the air.
I booked a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions, one of the largest balloon companies in the area, which has been flying since 1991.
With them, you’ll fly over the Sonoran Desert, with bird’s-eye views of tiny saguaros poking out of the ground. You’ll spot the twists and turns of the rocky terrain and breathtaking mountain silhouettes in the morning sun.
It’s spectacular and 100% worth the early wake-up call, I promise.
With Hot Air Expeditions, the balloon ride comes with a champagne toast and catered food afterwards, and the whole experience takes around three to three and a half hours. Then you can go back to your hotel and sleep it off by the pool.
Go off-roading in the desert
Ever wanted to feel completely free, with the wind running through your hair? Scottsdale is the perfect place to get in a jeep or UTV and go off-roading.
Experience some heart-pumping hills and drops as you ride through the sandy desert to the roar of the engine.
While you can take out your own vehicle and explore some trails, I recommend going on a guided tour.
This will help ensure you stay safe and respect the local wildlife and environment by sticking to established trails.
You can book this guided UTV adventure through the Sonoran Desert to explore even more of this beautiful landscape.
Rent a car and go on a nearby day trip
Although Scottsdale already has a myriad of activities and attractions, the rest of Arizona also offers some truly remarkable sights.
Get up early and take the drive of around four hours north to see the magnificent Grand Canyon. On your way, stop in Flagstaff for a break in the mountain town at the foot of the tallest mountains in the state.
Make sure to take the scenic route along Highway 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff, through Oak Creek Canyon. You’ll see the transition from desert gardens to pine forest along this spectacular road in the Coconino National Forest. The road reopened in July 2026 after a wildfire, but there are roadworks and occasional flood closures, so check ADOT’s updates before you set off.
Or, you could go further and go hiking in the Grand Canyon for the bucket list getaway of a lifetime. For more ideas, see these day trips from Sedona.
Go stargazing in the desert
Because of the desert’s remoteness and dry air, you can catch some pretty amazing starry skies on a clear night.
Take a short drive away from the city lights and you’ll soon find dark, secluded skies. Nearby Fountain Hills is an International Dark Sky Community, and Tonto National Monument, a couple of hours east, is an International Dark Sky Park.
If you come from a big city like me, you can never see more than a handful of stars at a time. It was absolutely breathtaking to catch sight of a million twinkly points of light in the sky.
On an especially dark and clear night, you may even be able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye!
Stay at The Boulders, a chic, outdoor-inspired resort
While I was exploring the beautiful Scottsdale area, I got the chance to stay at The Boulders Resort & Spa in Carefree, about half an hour north of Scottsdale. It was a beautiful haven in the middle of the desert, set among huge rock formations and dotted with picturesque casitas.
For outdoor lovers, one of the best things to do in Scottsdale is to stay at a resort that makes the most of the gorgeous Sonoran Desert scenery. The Boulders is a prime example.
I’d wake up with the rising sun each morning and step out onto the balcony of my casita, watching local wildlife scurrying across the rocky terrain.
Apparently, quails, coyotes and javelinas call the property home (among many other species of plants and animals!). Staying in a place that embraces the beauty of nature and the outdoors was such a special treat, and one that really blew my experience in Scottsdale out of the water.
During my time at The Boulders, I got to try a lot of the activities they have on site, including rock climbing, hiking and learning about desert flora and fauna. In fact, you can organise almost everything on this list through the resort.
They’ve got guided options for hiking, climbing, nature walks, stargazing, ballooning and more, and can help organise other excursions in the area as well.
Plus, with several on-site restaurants, a spacious pool and hot tub, and the most generous staff in the world, it’s a place I couldn’t wait to come back to every single day!
Or, you know, you could also play golf…
We can throw that in there too, I guess.
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Read next
- 3 days in Scottsdale: a weekend itinerary
- Unmissable things to do in Arizona
- The best day trips from Sedona
- USA travel bucket list
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