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Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix

Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix

Overview

Spend the day following the historic Apache Trail on a guided true wilderness adventure. Enjoy a visit to Goldfield Ghost Town, Tortilla Flat, and a boat ride on Canyon Lake. It's a perfect day out in the Sonoran Desert. Choose between a small-group or private option. If you select the private option, you can also select your departure time.

City: Scottsdale

Sun 20 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $159.00

Make a reservation

Sun 20 Oct

Starting at $159.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Bottled water

All taxes, fees and handling charges

Professional guide

Hotel pickup and drop-off from select Phoenix area hotels

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Arizona state law requires children under 8 years to have either a child seat or booster. Child seats are not provided, please bring your own
Minimum age is 3 years
Wheelchairs that can fold up are acceptable on tour
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands

What To Expect

Apache Trail Scenic Drive

Only minutes from the city, the Apache Trail is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Sonoran desert. Arizona’s first designated “Historic Highway” and a scenic byway, the original Apache Trail was a footpath by which the local Apache Tribe traveled through the Superstition Mountains.

Superstition Mountains

View these stunning desert mountains as you drive along the Apache Trail

Canyon Lake

During your tour along the Apache Trail, you will also be treated to a steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake by the famous Dolly Steamboat.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Tortilla Flat has become a fixture of the Apache Trail since its inception in 1904. Not fire, drought, or bandits could destroy this hearty stage stop which holds onto its rich tradition through its architecture and unique decorating sense. If you get too warm, you can quite literally “saddle up” to the bar and enjoy a cold beverage to cool you down. This rugged landscape in the Sonoran Desert has been the jewel that some men were looking for with the most famous involving the Lost Dutchman Mine. Rumored to have found the largest gold vein in the west, German immigrant Jacob Waltz trusted his newly found gold deposit to no one and the secret of its location was buried with him. If you have the “golden eye” maybe you can spot it while on tour!

Tortilla Flat

Two of the more colorful stops along the Apache Trail are Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat.

Goldfield Ghost Town

Goldfield, aptly named after the precious metal found in the area, was incorporated in 1892. For five long years this town was a gold miner’s paradise, however, soon after the vein stopped producing Goldfield quickly turned into a gold mining ghost town. During the tour you will have a chance to spend time in this restored ghost town practicing your gold panning techniques, marveling at the original mining gear, or even spending some time at Lu Lu’s Bordello if you dare.

Show 3 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (97)

Len E

Oct 2019

We stepped back in time to explore the Apache Trail on a full day tour, that takes you from Phoenix into the legendary Sonoran Desert, with our very qualified guide Sam. His storytelling style of the history unfolding before our eyes, takes you to a place of understanding. The ghost town of Goldfield rich with history of the Superstition Mountains and the promise of Gold; the former stage coach stop of Tortilla Flat, current population of 6, still serving homemade food & drinks to hot, weary desert travelers is an experience you will appreciate. The very relaxing 1.5 hour boat ride on the steamboat "Dolly", exploring the unique rock formations created by ancient volcanoes, the wildlife and desert plants surrounding Canyon Lake, ended much too soon. On this tour, we really got a feel for the Wild West thanks to Sam and his knowledge & passion for history; the people, the flora & fauna. He is very well educated, well traveled, was even a guide in the South American jungle,and has a terrific sense of humor. Thank you Sam for our wonderful, stress-free day of adventure & memories! Len & Judy from Vancouver Island, British Columbia Canada

Response from Host

Oct 2019

Wow! Len, Judy - Thanks for reaching out and sharing about your 5-star day with DETOURS on TripAdvisor! The Apache Trail is one of our personal favorites here. We think it is a hidden gem of the Sonoran Desert! Sam is just the guy you want to guide you through that area as well. It truly is a surreal experience while traversing Tortilla Flat and learning all about the Superstition Mountain's history. Doesn't every cruise ride end too soon? We are glad to hear about your absolutely stunning experience thanks to Sam here at DETOURS. He's got it all - the knowledge, the humor, and the charisma. We hope to see you again sometime soon, we've got plenty more destinations that pack just as much punch! Same goes for our other guides as well. :)

Lovethecactus

Oct 2019

My husband and I were with a group of 11 for a day trip on the Apache Trail. Sam is a great guide and extremely knowledgeable. We learned so much history and had a relaxed, fun day. We will definitely take another trip with Detours.

Response from Host

Oct 2019

Hello and thanks for reaching out to DETOURS! We're glad you enjoyed your time with Sam at the Apache Trail. It's one of our favorite tours! So much to offer and learn about in an area that is quite easily overlookable. We've got plenty of other destinations that hold just as much rich history if you're ever interested in getting back out there!

Mike H

Oct 2019

We had a wonderful day with our guide Sam. There was so much to see starting with a walk through a beautiful part of the desert surrounded by the beautiful rock formations and cliffs of the Superstition Mountains. Then we were off to an old stage coach stop (town population 6) that is still fully servicing visitors. We took a relaxing boat trip on the paddle boat Dolly though Canyon Lake, with visions of unique rock formations, wildlife and beautiful water. Goldfield, a ghost town, was also fun to visit. We even got a surprise addition to the itinerary by stopping at an old west movie set that was fun! At the beginning of the trip, our guide Sam asked the members of the group what they were interested in seeing and learning while on the tour. Then he customized the stories and information he provided throughout the day to reflect our interests. Sam is most knowledgeable - which is in part a result of his advanced education majoring in tourism and related studies- and in part from his passion for the Phoenix area, which he grew up in. It was a wonderful day that we thoroughly enjoyed.Thank you Sam for a great time!

Response from Host

Oct 2019

Hello Mike, and thank you for this outstanding review! The Apache Trail, Sonoran Desert, and Superstition Mountain areas are truly hidden and easy-to-miss gems of Arizona we love showing people to. It's one of our favorite tours for that reason exactly! Sam does an incredible job at keeping the very important people, you all, right on track! He's one of the best we've got when it comes to guiding and ensuring everyone has a great time. Take care and we hope to see you again very soon! :)