McDowell Sonoran Preserve Attractions & Things to do

Experience the Scottsdale Classic Hiking Adventure in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We’ll customize the hike to your mileage, terrain and grade preferences.
- Hike for about two hours.
- Explore the geology, plants, animals of the Sonoran Desert.
- Relax at an incredible viewpoint with trail snacks and beverages provided by - your guide.
- We approach every trip with fun in mind. Plus, our pro guides will show you secrets of the area that only a few know about.
- 2-3 hours on the trail
- Meet your guide at the trailhead
- Difficulty scale: Easy to strenuous—you choose the level!

We provide everything you need for your hiking adventure:
- Use of backpacks
- Sunscreen
- Bottled water
- Sports drinks
- Trail snacks
- Plus, cold beverages after finishing your hike.

Our number one priority is your safety. We guarantee a safe, enjoyable and memorable Sonoran Desert experience.
Duration: 3 hours.

Experience an incredible sunrise or sunset in the one-of-a-kind Sonoran Desert in Phoenix, Arizona, with a fun, experienced, local Mad Desert Trekking guide. Find out why Arizona's sunrises and sunsets are truly amazing.

Why should you book your Sonoran Desert sunrise or sunset hiking adventure with Mad Desert Trekking?

We approach every trip with fun in mind. Plus, our pro guides will show you the secrets of the area that few people know about.

We will provide everything you need for your hiking adventure, including:
- Use of backpacks
- Sunscreen
- Bottled water
- Sports drinks
- Trail snacks
- Plus, cold beverages after finishing your hike.

Our number one priority is your safety. We guarantee a safe, enjoyable and memorable Sonoran Desert experience.
Duration: 2 hours.

Visit an iconic landmark in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve. See Geological features and well as flora and fauna that are unique to the Sonoran Desert. Amazing views of the McDowell Mountains and surrounding areas.
Duration: 3 hours.

Explore the Sonoran Desert surrounding the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro area and get to know the beautiful and rugged landscape on a half-day Scottsdale mountain bike tour with us. 

Our guided half-day mountain bike tours take place in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which offers some of the Valley of the Sun’s best mountain biking trails and best views! Whether you’re looking for easy trail riding or expert technical singletrack, our guides know the trails for you.

In order to fit you to the correct bike, please provide each rider's pedal preference (flat, or clipless - spd, time Atac, egg beaters, or if bringing your own) AND each rider's mountain biking experience (how often do you all ride, what type of terrain, and where)
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.

Get ready for an exciting adventure exploring all of Scottsdale's greatest sights with our easy-to-use E-bikes! Create your own journey through Scottsdale and get to experience a unique adventure! This is the perfect activity for friends and family to tour Scottsdale. You will get the chance to visit Old Town, plenty of beautiful trails, and choose your own route for two hours!


Duration: 2 hours.

Join on us a great hike through the Sonoran Desert! The Gateway loop trail offers a fantastic moderate hiking experience that will get us back into the hills of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve providing great desert views and experience. On our hike, we will see a wide array of desert plants and cactus, sweeping views of the desert and overlook views of the city.

Along the way we generally see lots of desert lizards and birds to add to the great scenery of our hike. This hike is great for the beginning to intermediate hiker and groups of varying capabilities.
Duration: 3 hours.

Experience Scottsdale from our 14 passenger van. Our comprehensive Scottsdale city tour covers over 50 miles of historical and cultural sites. In addition to major landmarks, your Tour Guide will take you to sites where historical events occurred, such as the site where German soldiers dug a tunnel to escape a WWII prisoner of war camp.


Duration: 3 hours.