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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

Wed 25 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $159.00

Make a reservation

Wed 25 Dec

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)

Pat C

May 2018

We have a time share in Scottsdale and are in the process of exploring AZ. Because it was a ( small group) tour, I could not do everything I wanted to do. But it gave me a good enough overview (and fantastic shots of a bald eagle) that I will repeat on my own with my partner. There are areas the driver could not take us. The driver and guide, Michael, was fantastic; he is also a naturalist. He encouraged us to communicate with him and each other. The boat tour was awesome and I will repeat it.

Response from Host

Jun 2018

Hi Pat... Thank you for joining us for a tour, and we're so happy we could help you with your process of exploring AZ. We appreciate you taking a moment to share your experience about Michael's fantastic service and your enjoyment of the boat tour. We'd love to see some of the shots you took of the bald eagle, if you'd be willing to share them. If so, please email them to [email protected]. Thank you again for your kind words, and please do come see us again for another adventure exploring the beautiful American West!

Zhigie35

May 2018

I wanted to give my mother something different for mother's day and thought a tour would be a great idea. IShe lives in Sun City so we worked with Detours to find a convenient meeting spot (ended up being a hotel in Desert Ridge). It was off-peak tourist seasn (May 16) so our tour was not crowded (five in total) and most places were easy to get to and comfortably not so busy. Michael who was ur tour guide/driver was prompt, professional, and enthusiastic about teaching us about floral, fauna, history, and geology of the region. Our first stop was a local small museum that talked about the region and an area where Westerns were filmed. Elvis filmed "Charro" there (never heard of it) and they have a campy chapel with Elvis at the altar. Something you might see in Vegas. Next was a relaxing and informative ride to Tortilla Flats. I originally thought this was the place where the oldest tortilla factory is, no clue where I thought of that one, but instead it is very much like a touristy cute western block. Small but worth exploring. I saw previous trips here and wanted to check out the saloon. Can't speak for the food but guzzled down our Peaks Hop Notch before we met back with our tour group. Very very tasty. Bar seats somewhat uncomfortable but worth the photo opp. Loved the women's bathroom (men's not so interesting and smelled like urine). Next we went to the Dolly Steamboat. I love being on the boat. We had plenty of options since it wasn't too crowded. My mom and I went back and forth to outside and in since the sun was blazing. The Captain pointed out wildlife (nothing too wild but loved the goats and sheep), history, and geology of the area. Next we drove to the ghost town for lunch. My mom and I were hungry so we went straight to the saloon (only saloon in the ghost town). My mom and I shared the burger which fit our appetite (despite the $2 sharing charge). Our tour guide ate with us which was a nice accompaniment. We had a brief look over the town (we have been to other ghost towns so we were okay with eating instead of exploring). Then we were off for the hour's drive back to our drop off. Our tour guide was very interactive with our group and had us do an ice breaker in the beginning and a "quiz" at the end which is something you dont normally have on a tour. The van was extremely comfortable and we were even asked if it was too hot or cold. This is also a very easy non-strenuous tour and perfect for seniors and families. Very much a tease since I would like to go back to the Apache trail further on a 4x4 and have more than a drink). I would definitely do a tour with Detours again (and would love to visit the Antelope Canyon)!

Response from Host

May 2018

Thank you for joining us for an Apache Trail Tour with the Dolly Steamboat excursion. We're so glad that you and your Mother enjoyed the day...and kudos to you for the very special gift of an experience for you and your Mom to remember. We appreciate you taking a few moments to share your experience and we're so glad that you thoroughly enjoyed Michael's service. Please do reach out to us when you're ready to plan your next adventure to Antelope Canyon. We'd love to show it to you!

754Lorrainea

Apr 2018

The Apache Trail, Superstition Mountain, Dolly Ferry tour was a fantastic way to spend a beautiful day in Arizona. Mike, our guide, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The van was quite comfortable even on a very hot day (95 degrees). The tour included so much for an eight hour outing. Never a dull moment. I would highly recommend this tour and tour company.

Response from Host

Apr 2018

Thanks so much for your recommendation! So happy to hear that your guide Mike was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and that you enjoyed seeing the Apache Trail plus the steamboat cruise! We hope to see you again!