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Things to do in Mesa, Arizona

Our most recommended things to do in Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix: Red Mountain Self-Guided Paddle on Lower Salt River

1. Phoenix: Red Mountain Self-Guided Paddle on Lower Salt River

Escape the summer heat with a paddleboarding experience on the Lower Salt River. Cruise below cliffs and past beautiful desert scenery while keeping an eye out for wildlife local to the Tonto National Forest. Begin with a short orientation session and safety briefing where you'll learn the ins and outs of paddleboarding. Then, ready to hit the water, you'll launch at the very end of the Lower Salt River. From there you can paddle around the Granite Reef Recreational Area or for a more athletic paddle, head UP river and float back down. Marvel at the unique ecosystem, home to otters, wild horses, javelina, roadrunners, and more.

Phoenix and Mesa: Self-Guided Kayak Trip on Saguaro Lake

2. Phoenix and Mesa: Self-Guided Kayak Trip on Saguaro Lake

Experience the spectacular landscapes of the Tonto National Forest on a self-guided kayaking tour around Saguaro Lake. Paddle through canyons, see beautiful desert scenery, and discover the local flora and native wildlife from a unique perspective. Escape the heat and feel refreshed by one of the most stunning lakes of Arizona. Travel at your own pace, giving you the opportunity to truly take in the picturesque views. Start with an orientation of basic safety and paddling instructions. The “sit-on-top”-style kayaks are very stable and easy to maneuver. Before you know it you’ll be paddling below thousand-foot cliffs. Explore the lake's glimmering waters and discover coves and craggy shorelines. Keep your eyes open for the native wildlife native to the Tonto National Forest.

From Phoenix: Grand Canyon Tour with Sedona and Oak Creek

3. From Phoenix: Grand Canyon Tour with Sedona and Oak Creek

Take a trip to one of the 7 wonders of the natural world on this day tour of the Grand Canyon National Park. You will be collected from selected hotels or apartments in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa Arizona. The journey north takes you through amazing views of the Saguaro Cactus in the Sonoran Desert. You will travel through the Ponderosa Pine Forests of Flagstaff where the Lowell Observatory is located. Stop among the Red Rocks of Sedona for time to take in the breathtaking scenery and lots of pictures. Travel through Oak Creek Canyon famous the world over for its spectacular scenery. In the afternoon be taken to the Grand Canyon National Park. Stop for pictures of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Make several stops along the South Rim for picture taking and enjoying the incredible views. See the El Tovar Lodge, a former Harvey hotel. Have the afternoon to explore the sublime park and see many of its ecological wonders and natural beauty. Your professional guide will be able to inform you of the history and stories behind this ancient wonder.

From Phoenix: Full-Day Sedona Small-Group Tour

4. From Phoenix: Full-Day Sedona Small-Group Tour

This Sedona full-day tour gives you a chance to explore the rich culture and history of the area's ancient Native American civilizations. Travel in a 9 or 13-seat vehicle on this small-group tour and enjoy a more personalized experience. The tour features one of two Sinagua Indian ruins that existed along a busy trade route over 1,000 years ago. You'll also have 2 exploration options - either the ruins at Tuzigoot National Monument or Montezuma Castle National Monument. While in Sedona you'll have approximately 2-3 hours to explore on foot, visit galleries and shops, or get a psychic reading. Hiking or jeep tours are also available. Guests will be guided to unique photo spots and your guide will help you choose from an extensive list of scenic options, including The Chapel Of The Holy Cross, Bell Rock Vortex, Oak Creek Canyon, and Airport Mesa.

Sonoran Desert: Guided 2-Hour UTV Adventure

5. Sonoran Desert: Guided 2-Hour UTV Adventure

Hop in, buckle up, turn the switch, and hit the trail in the toughest vehicle the Sonoran Desert has ever seen. The 4-seat UTV can be filled to capacity and can still climb trails, crawl boulders, and zip all over the desert without breaking a sweat. Whether you're craving adventure or simply want to enjoy some sightseeing at your own pace, this UTV is dialed in to deliver. With electric power steering, a thrilling V-Twin engine, and towing capacity to take everything with you, this exhilarating drive handles like a dream. 

Phoenix & Scottsdale: Saguaro Lake Kayaking Tour

6. Phoenix & Scottsdale: Saguaro Lake Kayaking Tour

Paddle through gorgeous Saguaro Lake on a kayak with this guided desert tour. Enjoy hours on the water with your experienced guide, splashing, relaxing, and viewing unique wildlife. The lake is an indispensable oasis in the vast Sonoran Desert, attracting a multitude of birds and wildlife.   Kayaking in Arizona is a unique experience, which offers you the chance to see desert bighorn sheep and bald eagles. Take time to appreciate the surrounding mountain peaks, giant saguaro cactus, and flora, only found in this distinctive ecosystem. Your guides are always available to teach you the natural history of the area and give you expert paddling instruction. This tour is available for individuals and groups, and is perfect for paddlers of all experience levels.

Phoenix: Lake Kayaking & Paddle Boarding Tour

7. Phoenix: Lake Kayaking & Paddle Boarding Tour

Enjoy a fun and relaxing tour on Saguaro Lake, situated between the rugged Superstition Mountains and the towering Four Peaks. Try your hand at either paddling an inflatable kayak or balancing and manoeuvring a stand-up paddle board. The lake is an indispensable oasis in the vast Sonoran Desert, attracting a multitude of birds and wildlife.  Take the time to appreciate the surrounding mountain peaks, giant saguaro cactus, and flora unique to this ecosystem. Your guides are always available to teach you the natural history of the area and give you expert paddling instruction. Spot many importance species of wildlife in this diverse desert reservoir, such as bald eagles, desert bighorn sheep, and numerous examples of reptiles and amphibians. As a foraging area of the famous Salt River horses, you can marvel at these beautiful animals as they graze along the shore. This tour is suitable for all ages and ability levels. The inflatable kayaks are stable and easy to manoeuvre, creating the perfect platform for splashing, relaxing, or wildlife viewing. The SUPs offer a more playful technique, and even if you have no prior experience, you'll learn to balance, kneel, or stand on the board within no time. You may opt to trade watercraft with your fellow paddlers mid-tour, or stick with one discipline.

Phoenix & Scottsdale: Saguaro Lake Stand Up Paddleboard Tour

8. Phoenix & Scottsdale: Saguaro Lake Stand Up Paddleboard Tour

Experience the Sonoran Desert from a thrilling new perspective on a stand up paddleboard. Paddle through the gorgeous Saguaro Lake or Lower Salt River, taking in valuable insight into the ecosystem that is sustained by these indispensable desert oases. Maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle or a bighorn sheep, which are among the many distinctive species found within this one-of-a-kind environment. Stand up paddleboarding is a perfect activity for the whole family, and your professional guide will spend some time at the start of the tour teaching the proper techniques. Geared up with a provided life jacket, snacks, and bottled water, appreciate the mountain peaks that surround you as you drift along, flanked by giant saguaro cactuses and desert foliage unique to this region. And be sure to splash around and have some fun while you’re at it.

Saguaro Lake: Guided Kayaking Tour

9. Saguaro Lake: Guided Kayaking Tour

Paddle year round on beautiful Saguaro lake. Whether you enjoy a refreshing day on the water to cool off in the summer months or looking to venture out on one of Arizona's warm winter afternoons, kayaking Saguaro Lake offers an escape stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. Step away from the stress of daily life and enjoy paddling along diverse desert cliff-lined shores and tall canyons on a guided kayaking tour with friends and family. Some of the local wildlife you can expect to see during your paddle may include bald eagles, bighorn sheep and blue heron. The contrast of the blue water against the desert topography is like nowhere else in the world. Meet your guide at Saguaro Lake's Butcher Jones Beach Recreation Site, approximately a 40-minute drive from Scottsdale or Tempe for pre-launch instructions to prepare for a 3-mile (approx. 3 hours) paddle tour to Willow Springs Canyon area and return to Butcher Jones. Your guide will provide all necessary paddle equipment, tips and information for an amazing experience.

Other Sightseeing Options in Mesa, Arizona

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What people are saying about Mesa, Arizona

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 164 reviews

The driver was awesome! The trip was awesome and very easy to set up meeting point. The driver actually met us after the trip was over because I left my package on the van. The company was so helpful to aid me in getting back my package!!! This company is the best ever!!!!!! I will use this service again the next time I travel!!!! Thank you!!

Eric, our guide, was great! He is very knowledgeable and accommodating! Doing both Sedona and Grand Canyon is a day is the best way to see Arizona if you have limited time.

The people who run the trip are so friendly! Enough but not too much training on the kayak, and beautiful scenery!

Our guide Chris was very good, knowledgeable and caring. It was a great day

Everyone was kind and friendly and the experience was very enjoyable