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12 Best Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale

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12 Best Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale

Things To Do | April 16, 2022 | SWSS Staff

Scottsdale, AZ, is the perfect location for nature lovers. With a wide array of outdoor attractions and beautiful, sunny weather year-round, Scottsdale offers the ideal venue for outdoor exploration!

Whether you’re an adventure seeker searching for an adrenaline rush or want to find a laid-back activity that the whole family can enjoy, there is an activity every type of traveler will love on this list. Find one (or more!) outdoor adventure in Scottsdale, Arizona, on this list that is perfect for your upcoming trip!

Top Scottsdale Outdoor Activities

1. Mountain Biking

Man mountain biking in Arizona

Scottsdale has dozens of desert trails winding through the mountains with rocky terrain and lots of switchbacks, offering the ideal environment for mountain bikers. Granite Mountain is a great trail that offers stunning views of East Scottsdale. You can also take your mountain bike on Corral Loop at Brown’s Ranch and Desert Park Trail to Gateway Loop.

Whether mountain biking for the first time or the hundredth, be sure to follow safety precautions, like wearing a helmet and staying hydrated. And if you’d rather stay off the mountain altogether but are still interested in biking during your trip, be sure to check out some of the best road biking paths through Scottsdale!

2. Off-Road Jeep Tours

Renting an ATV or UTV or going on a guided tour of the desert’s off-road trails in a Jeep or Hummer is a fun way to see the breathtaking landscapes of the Sonoran Desert and beyond. Scottsdale Adventure Tours, Wild West Jeep Tours, and Rackensack Canyon Tours are all top-rated tour providers offering unique off-road tours in Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix.

3. Hot Air Balloon Rides

Want to see the Sonoran Desert from an unforgettable point of view? If so, embark on a hot air balloon ride for an outdoor adventure that is equal parts thrilling and relaxing.

Since Scottsdale receives over 300 sunny days every year, you’re almost always guaranteed a blue sky and a gorgeous sunrise or sunset during your hot air balloon ride. You can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience if you are traveling solo, or book a ride for a couples getaway or family trip. The two premier tour providers in Scottsdale for hot air balloon rides are Rainbow Ryders and Hot Air Expeditions.

4. Horseback Riding

Couple horseback riding in Arizona

If you’d like a chance to get outdoors in Scottsdale while experiencing the city’s history and culture that dates back to the “Wild, Wild West,” be sure to book a horseback ride through the desert!

MacDonald’s Ranch is one of Scottsdale’s top venues for horseback riding and western adventures. This ranch in North Scottsdale offers cookouts, guided horseback rides, hayrides, and stagecoach rides. It features a friendly, accommodating staff willing to customize your experience to your unique needs and interests. Cave Creek Outfitters, Arizona Horseback Adventures, and MTM Ranch are other local companies to look into that offer horseback rides through the Sonoran Desert.

5. Hiking

Scottsdale is home to stunning desert mountains, each with several scenic hiking trails that offer gorgeous views of the Sonoran Desert’s one-of-a-kind saguaro cacti and wildflowers.

You can find great hiking trails for all skill levels at popular trailheads in the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas. Some popular hiking spots include Papago Park near Old Town Scottsdale, Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain, Pinnacle Peak Trail in Pinnacle Peak Park, and trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, such as the Gateway Loop Trailhead and Bajada Nature Trail.

And, a nice perk of hiking is that it’s often free! If you’re looking for more budget-friendly adventures, you should check out this list of free things to do in Scottsdale.

6. Parks

If you’re visiting Scottsdale on a family vacation, you may want to visit some of the city’s beautiful parks. Scottsdale’s parks feature a varied terrain — from grassy parks shaded by trees to mountainous parks filled with hiking trails and the iconic cacti-covered desert landscapes!

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is one of the city’s most popular parks and is extremely kid-friendly. You can take a train ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, ride the Allan Herschell Vintage Carousel, and enjoy ice cream from Hartley’s General Store. Chaparral Park is another popular park in Scottsdale that includes a basketball court, soccer fields, volleyball courts, an off-leash dog park, picnic tables, and a ten-acre lake. Many of the parks in Scottsdale are also perfect for a picnic!

Book Your Next Vacation in Scottsdale

Find your perfect getaway with unparalleled luxury in Scottsdale! Choose from our premier rental properties and secure your spot for an indulgent Arizona retreat.

7. Golfing

Golf club and ball on green grass

Scottsdale is a world-class golfing destination, home to hundreds of stunning golf courses that attract at least a million golfing enthusiasts throughout the year. One of the most notable events for golfers in Scottsdale is the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale — the most-attended golf tournament on the PGA Tour — attracting more than 700,000 attendees each year!

In addition to TPC Scottsdale, some of the top golf courses to tee off at in Scottsdale, Arizona, include Troon North Golf Club, Grayhawk Golf Club, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, and Talking Stick Golf Club.

8. Segway Tours

One of the best ways to experience Scottsdale is to go on a Segway tour through Old Town Scottsdale. You can see the art galleries, shops, and best restaurants along the Civic Center Mall and the Scottsdale Waterfront, and on the weekends, you may even have the opportunity to hear live music!

Segway of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Segway Tours are two top-rated companies that offer Segway tours through Scottsdale.

9. Day Trips

If you love exploring the great outdoors and would like to venture beyond Scottsdale, you may consider taking a day trip from Scottsdale to see more of Arizona.

You can pay a visit to the iconic landscapes at Grand Canyon National Park, go wine tasting or hiking in Sedona, embark on a ghost tour in Jerome, immerse yourself in the western cowboy culture in Prescott, or head south to explore Tucson or Saguaro National Park.

10. Salt River Tubing

If you’re visiting Scottsdale in the summer and are trying to stay cool, head down to Tonto National Forest for a laid-back float on the Lower Salt River!

The season for tubing on the Lower Salt River usually runs from late April through the end of September, depending on weather and water conditions. Salt River Tubing offers tube rentals, free parking, and shuttle access to and from the banks of the Salt River.

11. White-Water Rafting

If you head to the Upper Salt River in Tonto National Forest, you’ll find more intense Class III and Class IV rapids — perfect for a white-water rafting adventure during your trip to Scottsdale!

The best months for white-water rafting on these adrenaline-inducing rapids are March, April, and May, so be sure to plan a spring break trip to Scottsdale if this particular activity is on your bucket list. The top tour providers for white-water rafting trips on the Upper Salt River include Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours, Arizona Rafting, and Salt River Rafting.

12. Swimming

Man swimming in pool

Take advantage of the warm, sunny weather during your trip to Scottsdale by spending a day lounging by the pool. Most of our luxury Scottsdale vacation rentals offer private swimming pools and jacuzzi hot tubs for the ultimate poolside getaway in Scottsdale!

You can also book a day pass from ResortPass to check out resort amenities, like thrilling waterslides and relaxing lazy rivers, at some of the top hotels in Scottsdale, including Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, The Saguaro Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho, The Scott Resort and Spa.

Experience the Best Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale, AZ, from Stay with Style Scottsdale

If you’re ready to have some fun in the sun, don’t wait any longer to book your trip to Scottsdale!

If you’re looking for a great place to stay that offers convenient access to Scottsdale’s top hiking trails, desert parks, and outdoor activities, look no further than our collection of luxury vacation rentals. We have rentals to accommodate groups of all sizes, equipped with high-end amenities, such as heated swimming pools, backyard golf courses, and barbecue grills. Browse our vacation rentals to find the perfect space for your upcoming trip, and contact us when you’re ready to reserve your vacation home!

Book Your Next Vacation in Scottsdale

Find your perfect getaway with unparalleled luxury in Scottsdale! Choose from our premier rental properties and secure your spot for an indulgent Arizona retreat.

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