5 Best Outdoor Activities in Arizona
Five ways to get outside and experience Arizona's desert landscape, from horseback riding to hot air balloons.
Arizona is a desert oasis for adventurists of all sorts.
Our reviewerFive Ways to Experience the Desert
Arizona's valley is ringed by mountains, cacti and canyons, and the biggest challenge for a visitor isn't finding an outdoor activity, it's narrowing down which one to try first.
Cowboy culture runs deep here, and a horseback tour through the desert, often within a 40-minute drive of Phoenix, is one of the more affordable ways in, starting around $40-50 per person. For something wetter, tubing the Lower Salt River near Mesa runs as little as $17 and includes tube rental and shuttle service past small rapids and wild horses.
For a bigger splurge, a hot air balloon ride over the desert valley, around $200 per person, ends with champagne and a meal on the ground. Hiking Havasu Canyon, a branch of the Grand Canyon made up of five separate waterfalls, requires a permit and is best tackled outside the brutal summer heat, between April-May or September-November.
Rounding things out, off-road tours through Sedona's red rocks, most notably with Pink Jeep Tours, run $60-100 per adult and offer one more way to see the state's dramatic scenery, this time from four wheels instead of two legs or a horse.
Five Ways to Get Outside in Arizona
From a $17 float down the Salt River to a $200 sunrise balloon ride.
01
Horseback Riding Tours
Many ranches within a 40-minute drive of Phoenix offer horseback tours through the desert, with discounted 2-hour rides, sunrise/sunset options, and even overnight rides that pair riding with camping.
02
Tubing the Salt River
Salt River Tubing rents tubes and runs a shuttle that drops you at the top of the Lower Salt River and picks you up downstream, past small rapids, wild horses and mountain scenery.
03
Hot Air Balloon Ride
A more intimate, private or group tour over the desert valley, capped off with champagne and food on landing — deal packages for two can bring the per-person cost down.
04
Hiking Havasu Canyon
A side branch of the Grand Canyon made up of five waterfalls, best hiked outside the brutal summer heat and requiring a limited permit — guided tours are available for those without hiking experience.
05
Off-Road Tours in Sedona
Explore Sedona's red rocks by jeep, 4WD vehicle or ATV — the most popular guided option is Pink Jeep Tours, with group-rate discounts worth researching for larger parties.
What Each Adventure Costs
Prices vary by activity, group size and season, but here's the typical per-person range.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Horseback Riding (1-2 hrs) | $40-$50 |
| Salt River Tubing (2-5 hrs)Popular | $17 |
| Hot Air Balloon Ride | ~$200 |
| Havasu Canyon Hike | Varies (permit required) |
| Pink Jeep Off-Road Tour | $60-$100 |
Good to Know
An Adventure for Every Budget
Whether it's a $17 float down the Salt River or a $200 sunrise balloon ride, Arizona's outdoor activities cover every price point, so long as you plan around the heat.
