Nestled amidst the arid beauty of the desert, yet enveloped by an abundance of awe-inspiring nature reserves, Scottsdale, Arizona, beckons adventure seekers with promises of exhilarating experiences. While renowned for its luxurious spas and stunning desert vistas, Scottsdale offers far more than meets the eye. With its proximity to iconic landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and its designation as an official Dark Sky Reserve, this desert city serves as the perfect gateway to a thrilling adventure holiday.

Adventure Trip in Scottsdale: Grand Canyon

One of the world’s most amazing natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, is located just 3 ½ hours north of Scottsdale by car. On a visit to Scottdale, it seems like a no-brainer to venture out to the Grand Canyon for a day or overnight trip.

Raft the Mighty Colorado: White-water rafting on the Colorado River is the ultimate Grand Canyon adventure for thrill-seekers. Single and multi-day rafting excursions with professional outfitters offer breathtaking scenery, magnificent side hikes and adrenaline-pumping white-water rapids.

Take a Helicopter Tour: Get a bird’s-eye view of the Grand Canyon with an exciting helicopter tour. On your narrated tour you’ll soar high above the Canyon rim for expansive views that range for hundreds of miles, then dip gently below the rim for a close-up look at rock formations that are millions of years old.

Book a Mule Trip: For those who prefer a more relaxed mode of transport to hiking by foot, venturing into the Grand Canyon on the back of a sure-footed mule is an entertaining option. Full-day and overnight mule rides are available, but reservations sell out quickly. Plan ahead and make your reservations at least six months in advance.

Adventure Trip in Scottsdale: Sunrise Hiking

A sunrise hike up Camelback Mountain is the perfect way to seize the day. With an elevation of 2,704 feet (taller than the Empire State Building), the Echo Canyon trail is a steep climb to the summit and is the most challenging hike in Scottsdale. But the reward is an incredible sense of achievement and panoramic views across the city. Along the way, climbers can weave between the majestic Saguaro cacti or take plenty of opportunities to pause and meditate.

Adventure Trip in Scottsdale: Horseback riding in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Located on Scottsdale’s doorstep, the 30,000 acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers travellers various action-packed adventures to explore its rolling desert hills and one-of-a-kind flora and fauna features. Visitors can explore the vast valley expanse with high-octane hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing and trail running experiences. With more than 100 miles of trails and 225 miles of biking trails across the unspoiled location, the preserve is ideal for adrenaline junkies to experience unburdened exhilaration in the outdoors once again. For those eager to discover more about the Preserve, daily education programmes led by Preserve volunteers offer guests the chance to learn about the desert wildlife, fascinating geology, unique habitats and local history of the area.

Adventure Trip in Scottsdale: Stargazing

Offering incredible star gazing all year round, space enthusiasts and astronomers flock to this desert city to experience the majesty and wonder of the stars. Undoubtedly, one of the best stargazing spots in Scottsdale, Arizona, is The Fountain Hills, home to one of two International Dark Sky Communities accessible from a metropolitan area. Aptly surrounded by the McDowell Mountains and Native American reservations of Yavapai, Scottsdale’s Dark Sky Community is sparsely populated, meaning light pollution is ubiquitously minimal. Looking forward, there is a fundraising movement for the creation of The Fountain Hills International Dark Sky Discovery Centre, which will feature an observatory, planetarium and ‘immersion zone’. Primed to open in spring 2024, this incredible centre will further establish Scottsdale as one of the top locations in the world for astronomy tourism.

For more information, please visit here