
Sonoran Desert Guided Hike
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sonoran Desert Guided Hike worth booking?
Sonoran Desert Guided Hike is a 2-hour experience in Scottsdale, United States, from $129 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (22)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $129 per person
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
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Professional safety-certified guide (1:8 guide to guest ratio)
- Snacks
Not included
- Clothing – Comfortable, weather appropriate athletic clothing – shorts and a t-shirt, long sleeves are recommended on cooler mornings.
- Shoes – Close-toed athletic shoes (sneakers)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, lip balm, medications, hat, etc.
- Guide gratuities are optional, but appreciated.
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Scottsdale
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Fall/Spring
8am, 11am, 2pm Departures: Meets at trailhead at selected tour time
Summer
7:00am: Meets at trailhead at 7:00am
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cliff Creek Outfitters
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- We require solo-travelers to pay the minimum of the 2-person price. If you are a solo traveler and would like to be added on to a pre-formed group for this tour, please mention this upon booking.
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
9 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for Sonoran Desert Guided Hike. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice hike!
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.
Response from the operator: 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!
via Tripadvisor
Lost Dog Wash Trail
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.
Response from the operator: We're glad Ken was able to make your hiking experience great. Thanks for sharing your experience!
via Viator
Must-Do Hike with Amazing Guide
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!!
Response from the operator: 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.
via Viator
Discovering the Sonoran Desert with Larry’s Expert Guidance
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
Response from the operator: 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!
via Tripadvisor
Fun afternoon hiking tour.
Excellent trip . Kathy was knowledgeable and interesting. Snacks and water were nice extras. Easy hike and great views from the top.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sonoran Desert Guided Hike: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Scottsdale.
How much does Sonoran Desert Guided Hike cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Scottsdale usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sonoran Desert Guided Hike take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Scottsdale is not rushed.
Is Sonoran Desert Guided Hike worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Scottsdale, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sonoran Desert Guided Hike?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sonoran Desert Guided Hike suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sonoran Desert Guided Hike?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Scottsdale can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Scottsdale and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sonoran Desert Guided Hike start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Scottsdale within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Scottsdale?
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Scottsdale pairs polished Old Town food, art and nightlife tours with hard desert adventure: Jeep runs through the Tonto, hot air balloons at dawn, horseback rides and e-bike routes along the greenbelt. Operator permits decide which trails a tour can actually reach, so we look closely at route detail. On Outty we rank every Scottsdale experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale, Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset, Small-Group or Private Grand Canyon with Sedona Tour from Phoenix. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Scottsdale?
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November to April, with dawn departures through the summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Scottsdale?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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