Explore the Apache Trail from Phoenix on a full-day tour that takes you into the legendary Sonoran Desert. Visit the ghost town of Goldfield, ride a steamboat on Canyon Lake, stop at the eccentric hamlet of Tortilla Flat and admire views of the Superstition Wilderness from Fish Creek Hill. Get a feel for the Wild West as you learn about the region's history and wildlife from your knowledgeable guide. Enjoy this small-group tour limited to just 13 people in a custom van with leather captain's chairs.

Full-day tour of the Apache Trail, from Phoenix
Hear stories about life on the American frontier from your informative guide
Learn about edible plants and desert survival skills

What's Included

Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off. Even if your hotel is on the list, we may need you to meet elsewhere.
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Bottled water
1.5 Hour Nature Cruise

Gratuities
Food

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

1/1/2022 - 4/28/2025
Wednesday : 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Friday : 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Sunday : 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Pickup details

Please note: We do not pick up at private residences and we do not guarantee pickup for all hotels. Even if your hotel is on the list, there may be a chance you'll need to meet at an alternate location. If need be, the supplier will determine a location you can meet to be picked up for your excursion. Tour supplier contact details will be provided on your pre-paid voucher.

What To Expect

The original Apache Trail was a footpath that the local native Americans used to traverse the Superstition Mountains. As western expansion took hold, the footpath became a stage coach trail for miners and mountaineers in search of their fortunes, and later it earned the first ‘Historic Highway’ destination in Arizona.

During your full-day tour of the Apache Trail, relax and take in the scenery on a 6-mile narrated nature cruise on Canyon Lake aboard a legendary steamboat. Look for big horn sheep, bald eagles and other desert animals, and admire the lake’s volcanic cliffs, which stand as high as 1,300 feet (396 meters).

Visit the ghost town of Goldfield, founded in 1892 and named for the precious metal found in the area. A hub of the region’s gold mining operations for five years, it quickly declined when the ore ran out. Nowadays the town offers western-themed attractions such as panning for gold, displays of authentic mining gear at Goldfield’s Historic Museum, and tales about female pioneers of the 1800’s at Lu Lu’s Bordello.

After your steamboat ride, visit Tortilla Flat and Fish Creek Hill in the Superstition Wilderness. Once a stagecoach stop, Tortilla Flat retains a quirky charm, in evidence in its motto ‘The Town Too Tough To Die’ and a festively decorated saloon. From Fish Creek Hill, enjoy a stunning vantage point over the Sonoran Desert and Superstition Wilderness.

Your guide fills you in on the legends of the Lost Dutchman Mine, along with plenty of information about the region’s history, geography and wildlife, including rare animals and edible plants.
 At the end of your full-day tour, your guide returns you to your Phoenix-area hotel.

Apache Trail Scenic Drive

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Superstition Mountains (Pass By)

Canyon Lake

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

The Dolly Steamboat

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Lost Dutchman State Park (Pass By)

Tortilla Flat

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Goldfield Ghost Town

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Most travelers can participate
DETOURS American West is not responsible for road or viewing conditions due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
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 and notify supplier ahead of time.

Minimum age is 3 years - you must notify supplier if you have any small children and confirm you will provide car seats.
Wheelchairs or walkers that can fold up are acceptable on tour - you must notify supplier ahead of time
You must let the supplier know if there are any mobility concerns that they should be aware of.
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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

167 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 167 reviews

Great tour!

David_H, Apr 2024

Great trip. Loved the vibe in Tortilla Flat and the scenery from Dolly Steamboat was incredible. Stan was a great guide. Highly recommended.

Unforgettable experience

Juan_T, Apr 2024

Tour Guide Mark was the best! He was knowledgeable, funny and a very good driver. The Apache trail , ghost town, steamboat and the lunch spot were magnificent! Totally recommend!

Loved the tour!

Joyce_R, Mar 2024

Laurel was a great tour guide - loads of information and a very nice personality - also, she seemed to care about everyone on the tour checking with each of us at different times. We loved the Dolly Steamboat tour as well as the ice cream at Tortilla Flat. Really fun tour!

Midwesterners give this tour an A+!

Misty, Mar 2024

We learned so much on this trip- our first day in the desert ever! I have a bad ankle and knee and had no problems keeping up on this tour. Very easy for anyone with mobility issues. Canyon Lake was beautiful and Tortilla Flats didn’t disappoint. Try the beer garden for some good food!

Views

Cheryl_M, Mar 2024

The views on Cannon Lake and along Apache Trail were incredible!!!! We had a great, friendly and personable driver.

History came to life

cecil_c, Mar 2024

Sight seeing off the Dolly boat.the most town with the train was educational and interesting about the history of the town and the mining

Day in the Apache trail

Georgia_C, Mar 2024

Enjoyed the day. Derrick the driver was awesome. My only complaint is we just ate in Tortilla Flats. I would have liked to have had a little time to walk along the walkway there.

The boat ride was...

Bev_K, Mar 2024

The boat ride was delightful. Comfortable with beautiful scenery. The driver had lots of info on the native wildlife and history of the area.

Excellent desert sightseeing tour by land and water!

Charles_R, Feb 2024

Derek was a very good guide, super knowledgeable and flexible and the tour was a fun and interesting day. We enjoyed all the stops and especially the Dolly boat cruise...outstanding.

Memories of the Phoenix area

Thomas_M, Jan 2024

Most memorable moments of our trip: the beauty and serenity of the boat trip and the scenery around the Phoenix area. Our guide, Nicole, was lively and enthusiastic as she keep us informed of the sights and environment around us. She did her best to keep our interest and to enjoy what we witnessed and shared. The one downside for us was the cramped quarters of the van. Info passed on ahead of our trip was we would have between 9-13 folks on the tour. We had 14. Even though there were supposedly 5 seats across the rear bench, that is way too crowded and the standard of no more than 13 people would have made for a more comfortable experience. I would say this should never happen again and booking should never extend beyond the 13 as advertised. Comfort of your customers should rise above profit. Continued best wishes as you serve those visiting the Phoenix area. I should also mention, it was very convenient to be picked up/dropped off at our hotel. Tom and Jane Murray Tour date: Jan. 28, 2024

The Dolly Steamboat and...

Veronica_B, Jan 2024

The Dolly Steamboat and our tour guide Dan. He was so informative, professional and wonderful. The Dolly Steamboat had the most amazing and beautiful views of the mountains. Absolutely beautiful.

Apache Trail tour - worth the day trip!

Russel_W, Dec 2023

Amazing experience and education! Highly recommended tour to see and learn more about the Apache Trail and the beautiful Dolly steamboat.

Apache trail and Canyon lake

Naresh_G, Dec 2023

Good to know the history of Apache trail, Gold mines, and Ghost town. The Canyon lake boat drive is amazing. All in all, got a well experienced guide through out our tour to know minute details.

Wonderful trip!

Kristina_R, Nov 2023

Tour guide Dan was very good, and I learned about cacti. We had so much fun at the little stops and was awestuck by the vistas on the steamboat.

Amazing and beautiful

Hannah_P, Oct 2023

Every part of this tour was special and amazing! Our tour guide, Mark was so personable, friendly and full of knowledge! I would recommend this tour to anyone and everyone! Beautiful views, amazing food and overall just an amazing, unique experience!

breathtaking

Tijuana_S, Sep 2023

The sunrise, the post champagne toast and the post breakfast. Most amazing thing I've done in a long time. View was incredible

Lovely day out around Arizona!

Janice_H, Sep 2023

Would definitely recommend this tour, a lovely day out, with the knowledgable Nikki; who was fun, engaging and made an enjoyable tour. Stunning scenery on the Dolly steamboat, very relaxing with a guided commentary by the captain. Really enjoyed visiting the western towns! Thanks for a lovely day!

Great Day on the Apache Trail

Michael_C, Aug 2023

Dan was a great tour guide that was a font of knowledge. The stop at Superstition was a hit with our little Cowboy. The Steamboat Ride was relaxing and beautiful. I would recommend this tour

Awesome Experience

Iggy_R, Aug 2023

Beautiful and excellent experience for me and my family. Great tour guide (very knowledgeable). Incredible sights and location. I highly recommend this tour if your visiting the Phoenix area.

The tour guides were...

Monzy_M, May 2023

The tour guides were excellent Explaining was fluent and it was fun all through the day. Never missed a beat

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