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Guests on a guided sand buggy desert tour near Tempe, Arizona
Serving Tempe · ASU · the East Valley

ATV tours near Tempe, AZ

Trade Mill Avenue for open desert. A short drive from Tempe and ASU, you'll drive your own 800cc buggy across exclusive Tonto National Forest trails, an easy, unforgettable group outing with an expert guide and no experience needed.

Check availability & bookor call (480) 837-3966
  • Easy drive from Tempe & ASU
  • Great for groups & families
  • 4.9★ from 1,700+ riders
  • From $150 / person
Why Desert Dog Offroad Adventures

The group outing everyone remembers

Parents' weekend, a birthday, a friends' reunion or a family visit, a desert tour beats another night on Mill Avenue. Everyone drives their own machine over real trails with a CPR-certified guide leading the way. It works for every age and fitness level, and hotel pickup is available across the Valley.

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Tempe & ASU

Minutes from Sky Harbor, ASU & Downtown Tempe

Few Valley cities are better positioned for a desert run than Tempe. You’re a short drive from our trailhead near Saguaro Lake, and just up the road from Phoenix Sky Harbor, an easy add-on for travelers, layovers and conference-goers who want a taste of real Arizona between meetings.

It’s a standout for ASU parents’ weekend, graduation trips, visiting friends and family reunions, and East Valley companies planning an offsite. Everyone drives their own buggy through Tonto National Forest washes and saguaro-lined canyons, guide out front, with the Superstitions and Four Peaks framing the horizon. In town for a game or event? Check our Valley events guide and pair it with a morning ride.

Getting here from Tempe

Real drive times from Tempe and ASU

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 Tempe you head east on the Loop 202, then north on Power Road to the Bush Highway.

ASU and Mill AvenueAbout 40 minutes.
Tempe Town Lake and downtown TempeAbout 40 minutes.
Tempe Marketplace and east TempeAbout 35 minutes.
Phoenix Sky HarborAbout 45 minutes, so a morning tour fits before an evening flight.

Groups without a car, visiting parents included, can book round-trip pickup from Tempe hotels and the ASU area; it is priced by group size, so ask when you book.

Good to Know

Tempe ATV tour FAQs

What Tempe and ASU visitors ask before they book.

How far are your ATV tours from Tempe?
An easy drive. From Tempe you head northeast to our Tonto National Forest trailhead near Saguaro Lake, a straightforward trip from downtown Tempe, ASU and Mill Avenue. Exact directions come with your booking; see our maps & directions page.
Is this a good group activity for ASU visitors or families?
It’s one of the best. No experience needed, welcoming to every fitness level, and great for parents’ weekend, a group of friends, a bachelorette crew or a family day out. Drivers must be 16+ with a valid license; riders 8+.
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.
Can I rent an ATV near Tempe instead of taking a tour?
We don’t rent out unsupervised machines. You still do all the driving, though. On our guided U-Drive tours you pilot your own buggy the entire way, with a guide, gear and permits included. Here’s why a guided tour beats a rental.
Do you run corporate or team-building events for Tempe companies?
Yes. East Valley tech and startup teams love it. Our corporate team-building tours put everyone behind the wheel in the Sonoran Desert, with group rates and round-trip transportation from Tempe available.
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 far is the trailhead from ASU?
About 40 minutes. Take the Loop 202 east, then Power Road north to the Bush Highway; the meeting point is the Butcher Jones OHV Staging Area near Saguaro Lake. Sky Harbor is about 45 minutes away, so a morning tour works on a departure day.
We are visiting for parents weekend without a car. Can we still ride?
Yes. Round-trip pickup from Tempe hotels and the ASU area is available for groups and priced by group size. Ask when you book or call (480) 837-3966.

Your desert adventure is a short drive away

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 →