Category Camelback & Sonoran Desert Hiking

Phoenix · CAMELBACK & SONORAN DESERT HIKING

The 15 Best Camelback & Sonoran Desert Hikes

24 reviewed

The desert is best on foot and best early. These are the top guided hikes on Camelback, in South Mountain, and out across the open Sonoran Desert: how hard each climb runs, how long it takes, what it costs, and which ones start at dawn to beat the heat. Sort your water before you pick.

Epic Camelback Mountain Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona

Epic Camelback Mountain Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona - Echo Canyon Trailhead start: the moment you stop guessing

1.Epic Camelback Mountain Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 250 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $145Our pick

Climb Camelback Mountain with a guide: steep 1,300-ft gain, hands-on scrambling, and 360° Phoenix desert views. Snacks, water, and gear included.

“The hike was breathtaking yet difficult but so worth it. Curtis was a fantastic guide with a wealth of knowledge of Arizona and always pointing out the sights. You won’t go thirsty or hungry with Curtis guiding you up the mountain. Would highly highly recommend!”

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Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour – 2.5 Hours

Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour - 2.5 Hours - Old Town Scottsdale Start: Setup, Safety, and First Miles

2.Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour – 2.5 Hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

A small-group Scottsdale e-bike tour plus an easy Camelback Mountain Cholla Trail hike, with Arizona Canal views and headset narration.

“From beginning to end, this was a perfect tour. Weather on 3/15/25 was terrific. The E-Bikes were top quality. Our tour guide, Jonathan, was best of the best. Very mindful of our safety and audio tour that he gave along the way was outstanding. Stopping the e-bike tour for a hiking intermission was great. We did 60 minutes on Camel Back’s Cholla trail. And then biked back. On a scale of 1 to 5, I am giving this one a “6”!”

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1-2 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Hiking Tour

1-2 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Hiking Tour - Pima-Dynamite Trailhead: what the start feels like

3.1-2 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70Best value

Private 2-hour Sonoran Desert hike in Scottsdale with snacks and drinks, plus flexible trail choices from the Pima-Dynamite trailhead.

“Paul is an excellent guide. He is knowledgeable about the topography of the desert and hiking in general. We learned about the plants native to the area and enjoyed Paul’s stories. It was wonderful to learn about the area from someone who clearly loves where he lives.”

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Rappelling Adventure in Scottsdale

Rappelling Adventure in Scottsdale - Price and what $192 buys you in real terms

4.Rappelling Adventure in Scottsdale

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $192

Half-day rappelling in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert with safety gear, a patient guide, desert views, and snack-and-water support included.

“José with Epic Adventures was amazing. We were first time rappellers but he was great at making us feel comfortable and safe. He was a ton of fun and felt more like a friend than a guide. We were able to rappel multiple times and had a blast each time. Highly recommend this experience. His company Epic Adventures is the one I’d use for any experience in the area!”

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Scottsdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking Adventure

Scottsdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking Adventure - How the 3 Hours Actually Fits Your Day

5.Scottsdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $145

A 3-hour guided loop hike in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve with certified local guides, snacks, water, and big Phoenix views.

“Awesome experience! Michael was a fantastic guide- very friendly and knowledgeable about the desert plants and animals. Would definitely recommend this to anyone!”

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3-Day Grand Canyon Classic Hike to the Colorado River

3-Day Grand Canyon Classic Hike to the Colorado River - Day 1: South Kaibab descent, Devil’s Corkscrew, and Bright Angel Campsite

6.3-Day Grand Canyon Classic Hike to the Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 3 days (approx.)

3-day Grand Canyon classic hike to the Colorado River with a small guide team, included gear and meals, and hotel pickup.

“Amazing experience. We did a 3 day, 2 night hike in the Grand Canyon with Discovery Treks. Katie J was our guide. An unforgettable trip. The majesty of the Grand Canyon speaks for itself. Discovery took care of every detail needed to make the trip a success. The equipment — even the van to get to GC - was top flight. I can’t say enough about our guide Katie. She had two inexperienced backpackers laughing throughout the trip and loving it. She was the ultimate cheerleader! If our energy dipped, she brought us back up. She made us tasty food, looked after our blisters and taught us lots!! Highly, highly…”

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Phoenix Mountains Preserve Night Glow Hike

Phoenix Mountains Preserve Night Glow Hike - Stop 1: Phoenix Mountains Preserve After Dark

7.Phoenix Mountains Preserve Night Glow Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

A 1.5-hour night glow hike in Phoenix where ultraviolet flashlights reveal scorpions, insects, and glowing rocks in the Sonoran Desert.

“Make sure drive to the pickup point before 8PM. The hike happened in the evening on 7/3/25. My mom and I used an uber to arrive here. Paul was our tour guide. He arrived perfect timing. Since it was just the two of us and Paul for the hike, the tour felt more personal and more comfortable! Paul told us a few things to prepare for the hike so he gave us mini UV flashlights and Paul gave me a reflective vest for the night glow hike. We hiked close to sunset! Paul taught us the types of rocks/cacti, and animals that roam here. We had the opportunity to see…”

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Water Canyon Adventure

Water Canyon Adventure - Price and value: what $280 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

8.Water Canyon Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $280

A small-group canyon adventure from Payson with pro guides, technical gear, and a big waterfall rappel finish in about 6 hours.

“Magical experience! Bryan and his beautiful children were our guides. They were all very knowledgeable, helpful and very attentive to our group. The scenery is beyond beautiful and the adventure was a thrill. Would give this tour 10 stars if I could.”

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Guided Desert Sunrise or Evening/Sunset 2-Hour Hike at South Mtn

Guided Desert Sunrise or Evening/Sunset 2-Hour Hike at South Mtn - What the 2–3 hour hike really looks like (and where it’s tricky)

9.Guided Desert Sunrise or Evening/Sunset 2-Hour Hike at South Mtn

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.)

Join a guided sunrise or sunset hike at South Mountain Park in Phoenix. Learn desert life, see petroglyphs, and enjoy skyline views.

“Our guided Sunset Tour was a 6 starts experience. Our guide ( Scott) included in the pictures, was very knowledgeable of the plants/ animals in the dessert. Made us feel really safe, he knew the trail very well, provided us with snacks, fruits and water. When it was dark, he had special black flashlights so we could see the scorpion ( picture attached) 200% Recommended”

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Scottsdale Parks, Tempe Town Lake Hole in the Rock Hike

Scottsdale Parks, Tempe Town Lake Hole in the Rock Hike - Meeting Point and Timing: Where Your Day Starts

Sonoran Desert Guided Hike

Sonoran Desert Guided Hike - What “2 hours” really feels like on the ground

11.Sonoran Desert Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Early-morning guided desert hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with snacks, water, and expert stories on plants, wildlife, and history.

“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!”

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Camelback’s Hidden Gems – Hike & Yoga with a View

Camelback's Hidden Gems - Hike & Yoga with a View - The hike on Camelback Mountain: challenging, but on your terms

12.Camelback’s Hidden Gems – Hike & Yoga with a View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $75

Hike Echo Canyon on Camelback Mountain, then stretch into yoga with big desert views. Small group, guide photos, and provided gear.

“Michelle led us to a small cave where we took some beautiful pictures and also centered ourselves for yoga. It was truly magical and an unforgettable experience overall. This was my first time hiking, and so Michelle made sure to give me tips along the way. It was a challenge but worth it and so rewarding!”

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Phoenix: Amazing Two-Hour Guided Hike in the Sonoran Desert

Phoenix: Amazing Two-Hour Guided Hike in the Sonoran Desert - Getting to Piestewa Peak Park and the Ocotillo Lot

13.Amazing Two-Hour Guided Hike in the Sonoran Desert

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Two-hour guided Sonoran Desert hike near Piestewa Peak with small groups, water, snacks, and big Phoenix skyline views.

“Hiking route was great, not too challenging, and the views at the top were amazing. Our guide Doug was very knowledgeable and allowed us to take the hike at our pace.”

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Desert Canyoneering Adventure

Desert Canyoneering Adventure - Getting to the Canyon: Apache Trail Views from a 4WD Jeep Track

14.Desert Canyoneering Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $280

Beginner-friendly desert canyon tour near Scottsdale with first-time rappelling, Apache Trail history, and a small-group 7am start.

“Such a beautiful and fun way to see the land! Brian was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant all while keeping me safe on the adventure!”

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30 Min. Camelback Hike & Sightseeing Scottsdale Golf Cart Tour

30 Min. Camelback Hike & Sightseeing Scottsdale Golf Cart Tour - Camelback Mountain and the Cholla Trail: what “easy” means and why the incline is the real test