What is the best way to tour the Sonoran Desert?

It depends on what you want. To drive it yourself with a thrill, a self-drive (U-Drive) ATV or sand buggy tour is the top pick. To sit back and sightsee, a guided Jeep or Hummer tour works. For romance and views, a hot air balloon or horseback ride is hard to beat, and for a slower, closer look, hiking a Sonoran trail is free and rewarding. Most visitors pair a scenic option with an adrenaline one.

Are Sonoran Desert tours worth it?

Yes. Guided tours get you onto real trails and public land you can't easily reach on your own, with an expert who knows the terrain, the wildlife, and the safest, most scenic routes. For first-time visitors especially, a guided tour is the fastest way to see the desert properly and safely.

What is the best time of year for a Sonoran Desert tour?

October through April is the sweet spot, with warm, dry days and comfortable evenings. Summer tours still run and are spectacular, especially at sunrise or sunset when temperatures drop, but you'll want to plan around the midday heat and carry extra water.

Every Way to Tour the Sonoran Desert Near Scottsdale

Name: Desert Dog Offroad Adventures
Address: 17212 E. Shea Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268, US
Telephone: (480) 837-3966
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

The Sonoran Desert wrapping around Scottsdale is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse deserts on Earth, home to towering saguaros, wild horses, and some of the best sunsets in the country. The question isn’t whether to explore it, it’s how. From driving your own machine to floating above it in a balloon, here’s every way to tour the Sonoran Desert, and how to choose the one that fits your trip.

1. Self-Drive ATV & Sand Buggy Tours

If you want to actually drive the desert, this is the one. On a self-drive (U-Drive) tour, you’re behind the wheel of your own ATV or side-by-side sand buggy, ripping across real trails with an expert guide leading the route. It’s the biggest thrill on this list and the most hands-on way to experience the terrain.

Best for: thrill-seekers, groups, bachelorette and bachelor parties, families who want to take turns driving.

This is our home turf. Our U-Drive guided ATV and sand buggy tours welcome all ages and fitness levels, include free photos and all gear, and run right in the Tonto National Forest. Not sure which machine suits you? Our guide on ATV vs. UTV vs. sand buggy breaks it down.

2. Guided Jeep & Hummer Tours

Prefer to sit back and take it all in? Chauffeured Jeep and Hummer tours put you in the passenger seat while a guide drives and narrates. You give up the hands-on thrill of driving, but you get to focus entirely on the scenery, the history, and the photos.

Best for: sightseers, those who don’t want to drive, mixed-ability groups who prefer a relaxed pace.

3. Hot Air Balloon Rides

For the most jaw-dropping view of the Sonoran Desert, go up. Hot air balloon rides lift off around sunrise, drifting silently over the saguaro forests as the desert glows gold below. It’s serene, unforgettable, and a bucket-list favorite for special occasions.

Best for: couples, proposals, milestone celebrations, anyone chasing the ultimate view.

4. Horseback Riding

Few things feel more Western than seeing the desert from the saddle. Guided horseback rides move at a peaceful pace along scenic trails, connecting you to the landscape the way people have crossed it for centuries.

Best for: couples, families, anyone after a classic, relaxed Old West experience.

5. Hiking the Sonoran Trails

The most accessible option is also free. Hiking lets you experience the desert up close, at your own pace, on trails ranging from flat nature loops to challenging summit climbs. It’s the best way to slow down and really see the plants, wildlife, and quiet of the Sonoran.

Best for: budget travelers, morning people, anyone who wants exercise with their views.

Before you go, read our Sonoran Desert hiking prep guide and our guide on what to wear on an Arizona outdoor adventure so the desert doesn’t catch you off guard.

6. On the Water: Salt River & the Lakes

The desert isn’t all dry. In summer, the Lower Salt River and nearby lakes open up a whole different way to experience it, tubing, kayaking, and paddleboarding past canyon walls and wild horses. It’s the Valley’s go-to way to beat the heat. Our full Salt River tubing and kayaking guide has everything you need.

Best for: hot summer days, groups, families looking to cool off.

Which One Should You Pick?

What you’re after	Book this
Maximum thrill, drive it yourself	Self-drive ATV / sand buggy tour
Relaxed sightseeing, someone else drives	Guided Jeep or Hummer tour
The most spectacular view	Hot air balloon ride
Classic, peaceful Old West vibe	Horseback ride
Up-close, free, at your own pace	Hiking a Sonoran trail
Cooling off in summer	Salt River tubing or kayaking

The best Sonoran Desert trips mix and match. Float up in a balloon at sunrise, cool off on the river midday, and chase golden hour behind the wheel of a sand buggy, that’s a desert weekend nobody forgets.

The Best of Both Worlds

If you only have time for one, a self-drive desert tour gives you the widest range of what the Sonoran has to offer: real trails, expert guiding, incredible photos, and the thrill of driving it yourself. For golden-hour magic, our sunset tours are the crowd favorite, and for a group kept together with white-glove service, go VIP private.

Ready to see the real Sonoran Desert? Call us at (480) 837-3966 or book your desert tour, and we’ll put you in the middle of it.