Tonto National Forest

Tonto National Forest

Nature, Parks, & Gardens • Phoenix, Arizona United States

Tonto National Forest is a sprawling oasis of natural beauty in Phoenix, Arizona. This vast expanse of wilderness encompasses over two million acres of diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged mountains to serene lakes and winding rivers. Visitors to Tonto National Forest can immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature while enjoying a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching.

The forest is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike. One of the most iconic features of Tonto National Forest is the Salt River, which winds its way through the rugged terrain, providing stunning views and ample opportunities for water-based activities such as kayaking and tubing.

In addition to its natural beauty, Tonto National Forest is also steeped in cultural history, with numerous archaeological sites and ancient ruins scattered throughout the landscape. Visitors can explore these remnants of the past while gaining a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of the region.

Whether seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life or looking for an outdoor adventure, Tonto National Forest offers something for everyone to enjoy in the heart of the desert Southwest.

106°F

High: 109°F / Low: 104°F
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$175 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00 (27 reviews)

Sonoran Desert To MountainTop Jeep Tour minutes from Scottsdale

Board our Custom Jeep Gladiator and head ten minutes North into Tonto National Forest for off-road slow-crawl through Rackensack Canyon. Your expert desert guide will identify unique plants of the rugged Upper Sonoran Desert along with discussion of the Canyon's Ancient Indian Ruins. You then climb 900 vertical feet over 1.5 miles into Chaparral Vegetation zone with breathtaking views at 4500 foot elevation summit. The short ride to the top can be a bit dusty & bouncy but is also exhilarating fun with entertaining narration and educational photo stops along trail. At the Rammed Earth, Mountain Top Studio you will enjoy complimentary snacks with free time to relax on patio while taking in jaw dropping vistas or try your hand at Steer Head Roping, Cornhole and Horseshoes before return trip to Civilization.

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$600 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Offroad Sonoran Desert Adventure and Sunset

Get ready to embark on an adventure through the Sonoran desert just outside of Phoenix! On this adventure you will get the exhilarating thrill of conquering challenging terrain in our air conditioned jeeps. We will travel up and down through a canyon full of breathtaking panoramic views. We will have numerous stops along the way so you can get the perfect photos, take in the views, and learn about the desert plants and wildlife. The adventure culminates in watching our beautiful and infamous Arizona sunsets.

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$195 Tour Provided by Viator
4.97 (37 reviews)

Historic 1880's Gold Mine Jeep Adventure near Scottsdale Phoenix

Step back into the Arizona Wild West with this Historic Gold Mine Jeep Adventure. With adrenaline pumping, you enter mine to follow same vein of Gold that prospector “Old Rackensack” chased in 1880. Our Hard-Rock mine allows guests to Safely experience Old-Timers painstaking methods for extracting the elusive precious mineral that had such a profound impact on Arizona’s History. In-route to the Mine, you will explore the Upper Sonoran Desert’s rugged landscape with Flora & Fauna photo stops plus educational narration about Rackensack Canyon’s Archaeological Indian Ruins. After an exhilarating mountainside ride to Summit Studio/Giftshop, you will enjoy complimentary refreshments before heading to mine. Sit back and enjoy the ride with Certified Off-road Desert Guide in our Custom Jeep Gladiator that is weatherized for "Rain or Shine" Tours and exclusively designed for safety, comfort plus maximum visibility of spectacular vistas.

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$360 Tour Provided by Viator
4.91 (89 reviews)

ATV/UTV 2 Person Guided Off-Road Desert Adventure, Scottsdale

Experience one of the top-rated outdoor activities in Scottsdale with Desert Dog Offroad! For over 27 years, we’ve been Scottsdale’s go-to choice for unforgettable Sonoran Desert off-road tours. Located just minutes from Scottsdale we offer the closest desert trails in The National Forest. Climb into your own 2026 UTV Trail Sport UTV and follow your expert guide across rugged desert terrain. You’ll conquer rock gardens, sandy washes and desert canyons, while surrounded by incredible views of the Arizona desert. This is adventure tourism in Scottsdale at its best! Halfway through the tour, we’ll stop for water and snacks (provided), and drivers and passengers can swap. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating details about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. We provide everything—buggies, helmets, gators, water, and snacks. You just bring your sense of adventure and discover why we’ve been voted one of the best tours in Scottsdale year after year.

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$1228 Tour Provided by Viator
4.89 (18 reviews)

Monument Valley Air and Ground Tour from Phoenix (MVJ)

The Monument Valley tour includes Sedona, Meteor Crater, and Monument Valley. It begins with a scenic, narrated, flight through the Red Rock formations of Sedona. It then takes in the San Francisco Peaks and the Painted Desert. The tour continues and may make a brief stop in Page, Arizona, located along the shores of Lake Powell (depending on aircraft). The flight will continue on to Monument Valley where you will experience the monuments from the air. The flight will land at Gouldings Field, just minutes from Monument Valley, and embark on a guided, 90 minute 4X4 ground tour into the Navajo Tribal Park. Your Navajo guide will provide insights into the culture and beauty of this sacred area. Finally, return to Gouldings Lodge for a delicious Navajo Taco lunch before returning to the airport for the scenic return flight.

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$225 Tour Provided by Viator
4.87 (39 reviews)

Scottsdale & Phoenix Desert H1 Hummer Tour

There’s a reason that the U.S. Army outfits its fleets with Humvees: They’re bold, they’re versatile, and they’re badass. The M998 Humvee is military-grade only, but the Hummer H1 is the closest a civilian can get. This off-road vehicle is perfect for the rough-and-tumble tourist who prefers an up close and personal experience. Mud, dirt, water, rocks—it’s all the same for the Hummer H1. Coast along desert trails high above the ground, confident in the 4 x 4’s ability to conquer any terrain it encounters.

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$180 Tour Provided by Viator
4.83 (220 reviews)

Scottsdale ATV/UTV 2 Person Guided Sand Buggy Off-Road Tour

Looking for one of the best things to do in Scottsdale? Desert Dog Offroad, just minutes from Scottsdale, has been offering guided offroad adventure tours in the Sonoran Desert for over 27 years! Explore the closest desert trails to Scottsdale in your very own 2026 Trail Sport UTV while an expert local guide leads the way. This is a smile-a-second Scottsdale adventure across some of Arizona’s most exciting terrain. At the midway point, we’ll stop for water and snacks (provided), and drivers and passengers can swap to keep the fun going. Along the tour, you’ll discover the unique flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. Desert Dog Offroad provides everything you need—buggies, helmets, gators, water, and snacks. You just bring your sense of adventure and get ready for an authentic Scottsdale desert experience. Whether you’re visiting for a family vacation, bachelorette party or corporate adventure, this is one of the most exciting and accessible off-road tours near Scottsdale.

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$175 Tour Provided by Viator
4.80 (15 reviews)

Mountain Shadows Sunset Jeep Tour minutes from Scottsdale

Experience majestic mountain shadows and a world-famous Arizona sunset (weather dependent) at our private mountaintop sanctuary within Tonto National Forest. Tours begin with a slow-crawl through Rackensack Canyon and expert guide narration about Unique Sonoran Desert Plants & Ancient Hohokam Indians who inhabited canyon up to 1450 AD. A short time later the “Exhilarating Mountainside Ride” begins as you climb 900 vertical feet over 1.5 miles with absolutely breathtaking views at 4500 foot elevation. The short ride to the top can be a bit dusty & bouncy but is also exciting fun with entertaining narration and educational photo stops along trail. Upon arrival at Summit Studio/Gift Shop you will enjoy complimentary refreshments & relax on patio with jaw dropping vistas or try your hand at Steer Head Roping & Corn Hole. At sunset, experience panoramic unobstructed views of sky which typically changes to shades of pink, red, orange, and purple, with stunning Desert Mountain backdrop.

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$180 Tour Provided by Viator
4.79 (19 reviews)

Scottsdale Guided ATV/UTV 2 Person Sand Buggy Tour Phoenix

While visiting the Phoenix area, what’s better than driving a 2-seated 2026 Polaris Trail Sport UTV over cool terrain with your best bud by your side? How about having a guide to lead the way so you don’t get lost! Our customer reviews on this desert adventure tour are through the roof! This isn’t some slow-speed, single file UTV tour. This is a smile-a-second adventure tour through super-cool desert track; rock gardens, sandy washes, twisty canyons, and technical two track. Bottled water and snacks will be provided at the mid way stop and drivers and passengers can swap at this point. On this adventure tour will also learn about the Flora and Fauna in Sonoran Desert and that the only place you can find the Saguaro Cactus is in The Sonoran Desert. We bring the buggies, the helmets, gators, water and snacks. You bring you and see why Desert Dog Offroad Adventures is the closest desert tour operator in the Phoenix and surrounding area!

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$425 Tour Provided by Viator

From Phoenix Superstition Mountains & Tonto Forest Shared Tour

Join us for an epic Offroad Sonoran Desert Adventure and Sunset experience! Explore the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert, one of the most unique and breathtaking landscapes in the world. Our expert guides will take you on a thrilling offroad journey, navigating through rocky trails, sandy dunes, and stunning rock formations. Highlights: - Unforgettable sunset views over the desert landscape - Expert guides and top-notch offroad vehicles - Thrilling adventure through rugged terrain - Breathtaking scenery and photo opportunities

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