Sonoran Desert Hike: Scenic Trails for All Levels

Embark on a half-day guided hiking tour in the Sonoran Desert near Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. Discover the diverse flora, fauna, geology, and history of the region with expert guides.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - Embark on a half-day guided hiking adventure with Cliff Creek Outfitters through the vibrant desert and mountains near Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. Discover the unique flora, fauna, geology, and history with insights from experienced, professional guides.
    Each hiking tour lasts approximately 2 hours. For an extra fee,…
What's Included
  • Bottled water included
  • Safety-certified guide, ensuring a 1:8 ratio for personalized attention
  • Complimentary snacks provided
What's 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.
Additional Information

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,…

Location
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead & North 124th Street
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(22 Ratings)
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Jim_h
Mar 8, 2026
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.
Review provided by Viator
Magdalene_b
Nov 25, 2025
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!!
Review provided by Viator
K5694yvjasonp
May 8, 2025
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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
571sandys
May 6, 2023
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heather_n
Apr 6, 2023
Stress-free family hike with Ed - Our small family (teen to adult) enjoyed a great hike with Ed. He correctly determined which trail would be a little challenging but also within reach given our varying fitness levels. He clearly loves sharing the desert with others, and had a lot of knowledge about the area and the flora and fauna. He also knew the where to take great pictures. Having Ed as our guide made this a stress-free experience!
Review provided by Viator
735cherb
Nov 22, 2022
A must do in Scottsdale - Booked this tour for myself and two teenage daughters. So glad we did. Denny, our guide for the day, made the 4 mile hike (2 miles each way) so enjoyable with his knowledge of the area, plants and history. Much more fun than doing it on our own. And he carried all the water and snacks which was a plus and much appreciated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chante_j
Oct 9, 2022
We enjoyed the hike on... - We enjoyed the hike on the McDowell preserve. Our tour guide Bob was great and knowledge! He allowed us to pace ourselves and had snacks/water. I would definitely do again!
Review provided by Viator
Mmmirandar
Oct 9, 2022
Fun time - Bob was amazing! Great time. Was longer than expected- plan to be hiking for 3 hours. Great views. Bob had ice cold water and snacks for us which was such a nice touch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phyllis_e
May 8, 2022
Mother, Daughter Trip! - Hiking tour through the desert 🏜 with my daughter. Learning more information about desert 🌵 life in Arizona.
Review provided by Viator
Karenr5524
Apr 7, 2022
Recommended Hike - We truly enjoyed our hike through this beautiful urban nature preserve. Armando led our group, accompanied by Patrick. Both were accommodating to our various fitness levels and made sure the hike worked for everyone. We appreciated the knowledge they shared along the way. The snacks were a great bonus for keeping the kids motivated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $71
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).