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A sand buggy driving a saguaro-lined desert road near Cave Creek, Arizona
Serving Cave Creek & Carefree

ATV tours near Cave Creek, AZ

Cave Creek already lives at the edge of the desert. We’ll take you into it. Drive your own 800cc buggy across exclusive Tonto National Forest trails with an expert guide leading every turn. No experience needed.

Check availability & bookor call (480) 837-3966
  • Easy drive from the North Valley
  • You drive · no experience needed
  • 4.9★ from 1,700+ riders
  • From $150 / person
Why Desert Dog Offroad Adventures

Real Western country deserves a real ride

Cave Creek and Carefree have kept their Old West character, and a desert tour is the natural extension of it. You’ll pilot your own machine through sandy washes, rock gardens and saguaro-lined canyons with a CPR-certified guide out front. Everything’s included, and hotel pickup is available across the Valley.

U-Drive Guided TourTake the wheel with a guide leading every turn.From $150 / person →Sunset TourChase golden hour across the Sonoran Desert.From $150 / person →VIP Private TourYour group only, private buggies & custom times.From $349 →All Arizona ToursEvery tour and experience we run across the Valley.Explore all →
Cave Creek & Carefree

A North Valley day the whole group remembers

If you already hike Black Mountain or Spur Cross, you know the country around Cave Creek is worth exploring. Our trails just get you deeper into it, faster, and with more horsepower. It’s a favorite for locals looking for something different, visitors staying up north, and groups pairing a morning ride with an afternoon on the town.

It works for just about any occasion: birthdays, family reunions, bachelorette weekends and corporate team-building days, with group rates and round-trip transportation available. Riding in for the rally? Start with our Bike Week guide, refuel with the Cave Creek eats guide, and see what else is on in our Valley events calendar.

Getting here from Cave Creek

Real drive times from the North Valley

Our meeting point is the Butcher Jones OHV Staging Area on the Bush Highway near Saguaro Lake, in the Tonto National Forest. The road is paved the whole way, so any car gets there; arrive 15 minutes early to park, sign the waiver and gear up. From Cave Creek and Carefree the route is Cave Creek Road south to the Loop 101, east to Shea Boulevard, then east to the Bush Highway.

Cave Creek (Frontier Town)About 55 minutes.
CarefreeAbout 55 minutes.
North Scottsdale and TroonAbout 40 minutes via Shea Boulevard.
Fountain HillsAbout 15 minutes; our office is on Shea Boulevard, but tours meet at the trailhead.

It is the longest drive of any Valley town we serve, and riders from Cave Creek still tell us it is worth it: these are permitted Tonto National Forest trails around Saguaro Lake and Four Peaks that you cannot ride from the desert north of town. Round-trip pickup is available for groups; ask when you book.

Good to Know

Cave Creek ATV tour FAQs

What North Valley riders ask before they book.

How far are your ATV tours from Cave Creek?
An easy drive. From Cave Creek and Carefree you head southeast to our Tonto National Forest trailhead near Saguaro Lake. You’ll get exact directions when you book. See our maps & directions page.
Do I need experience to drive?
None. If you can drive a car, you can drive our 800cc U-Drive buggies. A full safety briefing comes first and an expert guide leads the whole route. Drivers must be 16+ with a valid license; riders 8+.
Can I rent an ATV in Cave Creek instead of taking a tour?
We’re a guided tour company, not a rental yard, so we don’t hand over unsupervised machines. You still do all the driving, though. On our U-Drive tours you pilot your own buggy the entire way, with a guide, gear and trail permits included. Here’s why a guided tour beats a rental.
I’m in town for Cave Creek Bike Week. Can I fit a tour in?
Absolutely, and plenty of riders do. We run three departures a day, seven days a week, so a desert tour slots easily around the rally. See our Cave Creek Bike Week guide for the lay of the land.
How much do the tours cost, and what’s included?
Tours start at $299 for a 2-seat buggy ($150 per person, or $199 for a single driver) plus tax and fees, and that covers your machine, an expert guide, all safety gear, water and snacks, free adventure photos and every trail permit. Check availability & book.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations are handled by phone and must be made at least 48 hours ahead for a refund, less a cancellation fee of $25 per buggy ($50 per buggy on private tours). Cancel within 48 hours for a 50% refund; within 24 hours, or a no-show, there is no refund. To cancel, call (480) 837-3966.
How long is the drive from Cave Creek?
About 55 minutes: Cave Creek Road south to the Loop 101, east to Shea Boulevard, then east to the Bush Highway. The meeting point is the Butcher Jones OHV Staging Area near Saguaro Lake, and the road is paved the whole way.
Why not ride the desert north of Cave Creek instead?
Our permits are for exclusive Tonto National Forest trails near Saguaro Lake, with the Four Peaks and Superstition views that make the photos. The drive from Cave Creek is under an hour, and pairing a morning ride with an afternoon back in town is a favorite North Valley day out.

Your North Valley desert adventure starts here

Reserve online in under two minutes, or call a real person who knows every trail.

Book your adventureor call (480) 837-3966
Loved by riders

Rated 4.9 by riders since 1997

4.9Average rating
1,700+Verified reviews
27+Years on these trails
CPRCertified guides, every ride

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The Real Desert

Scottsdale was one road in and one road out. We have run the backcountry beyond it since 1997, and we never left. The tour you book online shows you the postcard. Meet the real desert →