7 Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Scottsdale, Arizona

When people think about a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, the main activities that come to mind are Spas, bougie boutique hotels, Golf, Wine Tasting, and Shopping. Outdoorsy things do in Scottsdale, on the other hand? Not so much.

It definitely wasn’t what I knew about Scottsdale before I was invited to visit there this April. So I was super excited to check out some more active and adventurous outdoor activities in Scottsdale. And boy, it did not disappoint.

So if you are looking for some more outdoorsy recreation ideas to add to your Scottsdale itinerary, keep on reading. And remember, Scottsdale is only a quick 1-hour flight from San Diego, which makes it perfect for a quick weekend getaway!

Kayaking in Scottsdale?

When I first heard about kayaking in Scottsdale, I was a bit surprised to be honest. When I thought of Scottsdale before, all I pictured was an arid, rocky desert landscape dotted with the iconic saguaro cacti. And while there is plenty of that to be found in the Sonoran Desert surrounding Scottsdale, there are plenty of places to go kayaking as well.

I went with a guided tour organized by one of my favorite stores for all things adventure-travel-outdoors: REI. They have an Adventure Center in Scottsdale and organize day tours and multi-day trips around Arizona and neighboring states with a focus on sustainable outdoor recreation such as hiking, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, etc.

Salt River vs Saguaro Lake

I was supposed to go kayaking on the Salt River, a 200-mile-long river that meanders through Gila and Maricopa Counties. Salt River flows through Tonto National Forrest, and if you don’t go with a tour, you will need to purchase a recreational day pass. You can buy it at many local stores and even gas stations. This area is known for seeing wild horses that come to the river to drink.

Usually, the river is a slow-flowing and beginner-friendly kayaking destination. Unfortunately, due to the unusually high amount of rain that the area received this winter, the water was too dangerous for kayaking. Authorities decided to close down the river for any water activities. This rarely happens, though, so don’t let this deter you when booking your Scottsdale kayaking trip.

My tour was instantly rebooked to kayaking on Saguaro Lake instead. It is often named one of the best lakes in Arizona. And I can see why! After driving by Salt River and seeing the strong currents, I was more than happy about the switch. The conditions on the lake were perfect and it was fun to paddle along the shore. The scenery was absolutely stunning. Due to the recent rains, the desert was experiencing a super bloom and the views were simply incredible. Of course, I would have loved to see the wild horses, but I was told that they don’t come near the river when it is that dangerous either. I guess I just have to come back.

Soar High Over Scottsdale With a Hot Air Balloon

A sunrise hot air balloon ride above the Sonoran Desert was definitely a highlight of my trip to Scottsdale and it should definitely be on your list of things to do in Scottsdale. The sweeping views from the balloon are simply mesmerizing and seeing the sunrise from up there is an unforgettable experience.

I was picked up by Hot Air Expeditions at 4:15 AM (yes, it was worth getting up for!!!) and after a few more pickup stops, we drove to an empty lot on the outskirts of Scottsdale. There were about 6-7 other hot air balloons of various sizes setting up as well. It was enthralling to see the colorful balloons slowly fill with air, intermittently lid up by the big flames of the engines.

Ready for Take-Off

I met our Captain and the other passengers and we got instructions on how to get into the balloon once it was inflated. As there is no door in the hot air balloon basket, you have to climb over the 4ft-ish high basket walls. The balloon is pretty unstable at this moment, so it has to happen quickly as soon as the Captain gives you the green light.

Keep that in mind when you select your outfit for your hot air balloon ride. I did this once in a long dress, and let me put it that way… it wasn’t my most graceful moment. Speaking of outfits. If you are sensitive to heat, pick a spot close to the center and wear a hat (baseball cap, not floppy hat). The heat pushes outward, so the further away from the flame you are, the hotter it feels.

Once we were all on board, the balloon rose up quickly, drifting from the urban cityscape to the hilly desert as we watched the sunrise. What a view! The recent rains nourished the soil and painted the desert landscape in a light green, dotted with yellow patches of wildflowers and dark green cacti. Combined with the pastel-colored sky, the color scheme reminded me of a basket of Easter eggs. So pretty!

After about 1 hour, our Captain started looking for a suitable landing spot for our balloon and also accessible for our chase cars and crew. We slowly descended from about 5500ft and had a pretty soft landing.

Champagne anyone?

Once our balloon was safely secured and I had stable ground beneath my feet, we watched the support crew fold up the balloon, kind of like the master class of folding a fitted sheet. While we were distracted by the busy work of the chase crew, a long table seating 13 people was set up in the middle of the desert for our post-flight Champagne breakfast.

The feast included Champagne, cider or orange juice, a delicious quiche, apple slices, cheese, and even a homemade birthday cake thanks to one of the passenger’s birthdays. Oh, and we also received an honorary certificate for completing our first hot air balloon ride.

Whether you have done a hot air balloon ride before or not, I highly recommend you add this to your Scottsdale itinerary. What an unforgettable experience!

Wild Wild West: Horseback Riding in Scottsdale

There is a reason why the iconic Saguaro cacti and landscape around Scottsdale look like the quintessential Wild West: Many of the Western movies were filmed in the Sonoran Dessert in and around Scottsdale and have imprinted this Wild West look on us. And what better way to explore that archtypical landscape than on horseback?

My ride was scheduled for 9 AM at the MacDonald Ranch about 25 minutes outside of Scottsdale. It had been a few years since I last sat on a horse, but I always love being around these great animals. As it was Spring break, we were a pretty large group and many families with children. Each of us was assigned a horse according to our build and experience level and we saddled up, got a brief intro how to handle the horse and off we went.

Our trail ride was very beginner friendly and perfect for families with kids (must be 6 years or older, no exceptions) and people without any previous riding experience. The trail ride led us through a beautiful area known as “Valley of the Sun”. And sun there was. Plenty of it. And no shade. So don’t forget your sunscreen and a hat.

The horses were pretty docile and obviously know the trail like back of their hoof, so there isn’t much for you to do but enjoy the scenery and listen to the stories of the wranglers and guides.

If you are a more experienced rider, I recommend a private ride which will give you a bit more freedom to actually ride. Another fun option are the moonlight horseback rides, which can only be scheduled on the 4 days leading up to a full moon. Riding at night through the desert sounds absolutely amazing, doesn’t it? Now that would be a date night that would wow me!

Mountain Biking in Scottsdale

I have to admit, I am not a mountain biker, so I didn’t do this experience. But I was told by many of my guides and locals I talked to that Scottsdale is a fantastic place for mountain biking. And I can see why. The landscape in this part of Arizona is simply stunning and you have so many trails to choose from.

If you prefer to go with a group and have all the necessary equipment provided to you, I recommend the 2-3 hour Mountain Bike Tour by REI. Again, I did not do this tour, but I have loved all the other REI-led tours I have done, so I feel comfortable recommending them.

See the Desert Bloom at the Desert Botanical Garden

This Scottsdale outdoor experience is a bit slower-paced than the other ones. But if you love nature and the outdoors, you should not miss the Desert Botanical Garden. You will learn so much about the flora of the Sonoran Desert, and if you come in spring, you might get lucky and see the cacti bloom.

Don’t make my mistake and get there too late. I wanted to wait out the hot temperatures and decided to go in the late afternoon. Technically a good idea, but unfortunately, I missed the butterfly exhibit, which closes at 5 PM. It was still worth going though, and the plants at the Desert Botanical Garden were delightful.

When you visit, you can either stroll through the gardens and explore on your own, join a docent-led tour or participate in an event, such as story time for the kids, flashlight nights, Sororan sippin’, and dog days at the garden.

Explore the Sonoran Desert by ATV or Jeep

This outdoorsy activity has yet to be checked off my Scottsdale adventure bucket list, but I hope to do it next time I return. While I usually prefer non-motorized ways to explore nature, this just seems like a really fun experience. Especially the sunset tours jeep tours look like a picture-perfect outdoor adventure in the Arizona desert, don’t they?

If you prefer to drive yourself, the ATV tours might be more your jam. This tour takes you through Tonto National Forest and sounds like so much fun! It also has almost 400 5-Star reviews and participants rave about their fantastic experience in the reviews. I’ll definitely bookmark it for my next trip to Scottsdale!

Hiking in Scottsdale

If you love nature and the outdoors, you should plan at least one hike during your time in Scottsdale. The most popular hike in the Scottsdale area is by far Camelback Mountain. I haven’t done this hike, but from what I have heard it is pretty steep, crowded, and other than the view from the top, not the most exciting trail.

So I decided to do a hike with another REI hiking tour in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve instead. Due to time limits of our group, our guide suggested the moderately challenging 4.5-mile Gateway Loop Trail with an elevation gain of 721 ft. It is challenging but doable, especially if you give yourself time and bring enough water.

You don’t need a guide for this hike, as it is very well-marked, and you’ll see plenty of other hikers along the way. However, our guide was fantastic and told us many fascinating facts and stories about desert plants, living in the desert, and the dangers of this harsh environment. I highly recommend using a guide if you want to learn a bit more about the desert while you are out and about enjoying nature.

I had such a fun time exploring the outdoorsy things to do in Scottsdale and if you like to spend time in nature and love the desert, then Scottsdale is the place you have to check out!

Things to Do in Scottsdale FAQs

Maria Haase wrote this article on Outdoorsy Things To Do in Scottsdale for San Diego Explorer. Maria joined a Press Trip sponsored by Experience Scottsdale to spend a few days exploring Scottsdale to write this article. This invitation did not influence her opinion and review of the tours, hotels, and places mentioned in this article.

Last Updated on May 3, 2023 by Maria Haase

The post 7 Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Scottsdale, Arizona appeared first on San Diego Explorer.