Outdoor Adventures
With more than 325 days of sunshine each year, it is no wonder Arizona has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From high-octane thrills to moderate soft adventure, everyone has the opportunity to experience from its best vantage point - outdoors!
Please click on one of the outdoor adventure activities below for more information.
Arizona's Salt River Tubing & Recreation - Mesa
Enjoy a cool and relaxing desert adventure while drifting down the lower Salt River and taking in its natural wonders of wild horses, blue herons and majestic mountains. April - September.
www.saltrivertubing.com/getthere.htm
Arizona Snowbowl - Flagstaff
Atop Mt. Humphreys, Arizona's highest peak is a year-round attraction. In the summer, the skyride sweeps visitors up to an 11,500-foot scenic view. In winter, the resort's 2,300-foot vertical drop and 33 trails of varied difficulty provide a powdery playground for skiers and snowboarders.
www.arizonasnowbowl.com
Bicycling in Tucson - Tucson
Tucson has been ranked by Bicycling Magazine as "one of the nation's top bicycle-friendly cities for their well-paved and marked lanes on major streets." Many different types of terrain and skill level can be found on trails in the Tucson area. From rolling hills and canyons to cross-country riding, Tucson is a great place for both thrill-seekers and leisurely riders.
www.visittucson.org/daytrips
Bird Watching - Southeastern Arizona
Dedicated bird watchers have targeted Southeastern Arizona for some of the best bird watching expeditions. One of the main reasons why so many species of birds congregate here is the presence of "sky islands," heavily forested mountains rising abruptly from the desert floor. Two of the best know bird watching sites are Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson (230 species of birds have been sighted there) and Ramsey Canyon Nature Conservancy in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista (the Hummingbird capital of the United States).
Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving - Chandler
Take the wheel at the Bondurant School, where professionals train aspiring racecar drivers, executives, teens, and anyone else looking to improve their car-control skills on a 1.6-mile, 15-turn road course and an eight-acre skid pad.
www.bondurant.com
Camelback Mountain - Phoenix
Climb the city's most famous landmark, the mountain resembling a crouching dromedary or visit the Echo Canyon recreation area, where sheer red cliffs and hiking paths attract outdoor enthusiasts.
www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikecmlb.html
Dolly Steamboat - Canyon Lake
A paddlewheel steamboat takes visitors on a leisurely tour between steep canyon walls and cliffs covered with saguaro cacti on Canyon Lake. Dinner cruises and group outings are also available.
www.dollysteamboat.com
Fort McDowell Adventures
Fort McDowell Adventures is your ticket to outdoor fun in the Valley of the Sun's most pristine setting. La Puesta del Sol and The Ranch serve groups from 100 up to 1,600 with an incomparable Western experience. Both outdoor venues feature a stage and dance floor, covered dining area, and cowboy games like mechanical bull riding and even "shootouts" to entertain your party with Old West hospitality. The Stables is your home base for exploring the lush desert from horseback or in the cab of a Jeep. Whether your taste runs to horseback riding in the unspoiled desert or parties featuring Western entertainment and cowboy ambience, Fort McDowell Adventures, on the east bank of the Verde River on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, you'll come back again and again. Phone (480)816-6465
www.fortmcdowelladventures.com
Horseback Riding - Statewide
Horseback riding and trail riding are Arizona traditions from the early cowboy and Indian days. Today, as a hundred years ago, one of the best ways to see Arizona's natural beauty is on horseback. From the splendor of the Grand Canyon, to the mystery of the Superstition Wilderness, horseback riding connects you with the land and the spirit of the Wild West.
Hot Air Ballooning - Statewide
Feel the excitement as you lift off and drift effortlessly over the spectacular Arizona terrain in a scenic and safe hot air balloon. The year-round activity is offered in many parts of the state. Arizona ranks number two in the country in hot air ballooning (Albuquerque is number one).
McCormick Railroad Park - Scottsdale
Railroad buffs cannot get enough of this park. Exhibits include depots, boxcars, cabooses and varied railroad memorabilia. Rides on a miniature train are available daily.
www.therailroadpark.com
Old Tucson Studios - Tucson
Be a movie star, or just live like one at Old Tucson Studios. "Hollywood in the Desert" is home to some of the most famous western movie classics ever made. From daring cowboy gunfights and stunts to rip-roarin' musical revues and comedies, Old Tucson offers exciting Old West entertainment.
www.oldtucson.com
Open Air Jeep Tour - Statewide
Experience scenic views you can only get on an off-road jeep tour. Everyone from the thrill-seeker to the nature lover will enjoy the rocky terrain, encounters with regional plants and animals and up close views of the Arizona landscape. This year-round activity is offered statewide.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park - Camp Verde
Visitors can enjoy 104 wilderness acres of wildlife fun. With large land predators like lions, panthers, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and more guests feel like they are in Africa observing the animals in their natural habitats.
www.outofafricapark.com
Queen Mine Tours - Bisbee
More than 50,000 people a year don yellow slickers, hard hats, and battery-powered lamps to enter the mine for a chance to experience life as a miner from 1877 to 1975. During that time, the mine produced more than eight billion pounds of copper. In addition, substantial quantities of gold, silver, lead, and zinc were extracted from the ore, making the Queen one of the richest mines in Arizona.
www.amdest.com/az/bisbee/queenmine.html
Rawhide Western Town - Gila River Indian Community, Chandler
Visit Arizona's largest Western-themed attraction. Rawhide has a Six Gun Theater, stagecoach rides, gunfights, gold panning, a mechanical bull, shops, a steakhouse, cookouts and year-round events.
www.rawhide.com
Schnepf Farms - Queen Creek
Put on your old blue jeans before you head to this working farm, where visitors enjoy picking their own fruits and vegetables. A country store and bakery add to the hometown appeal.
www.schnepffarms.com
Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park - Tempe
Join the steady stream of joggers, rollerbladers and bikers on the banks, or rent a kayak, paddleboat or canoe and get out on the water. Kids will enjoy the splash playground, snow cones and year-round festivities that the park has to offer.
www.tempe.gov
Whitewater Rafting - Northern Region
The Northern Region of our state offers opportunity for mild to adventurous whitewater rafting adventures. The Colorado River, Upper Salt River Canyon and the Verde River all offer ideal seasonal rafting options.
