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Mesa, Arizona Outdoor sports

Our most recommended Mesa, Arizona Outdoor sports

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

1. 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.

Sonoran Desert: Guided 2-Hour UTV Adventure

2. 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

3. 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 & Scottsdale: Saguaro Lake Stand Up Paddleboard Tour

4. 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.

Phoenix: Lake Kayaking & Paddle Boarding Tour

5. 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.

Other Sightseeing Options in Mesa, Arizona

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What people are saying about Mesa, Arizona

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 1 reviews

Super fun experience! Six of us went so each couple had our own UTV. Devo our guide was awesome. He would explain what’s ahead on each of the trails and gave us the opportunity to switch drivers and switch up the order of the UTVs so we all took turns eating each other’s dust. LOL. He also took lots of pictures for us. The dessert and 4 Peaks Mountain were absolutely spectacular. Highly recommend and well worth the money.

This was a lot of fun. My husband really enjoyed the UTV ride we did four of them while on vacation this week and this was BY FAR the BEST one. You get to go faster (as comfortable) and actually drive verses jus following along at slow speeds in a row/group. Mitch was a great tour guide. If you are going to do a utv ride I highly rec booking through stellar adventures here.

Great trip. Beautiful and tranquil day on the river. Had a great intro before we paddled, and the river was easy to navigate even as a beginners. Would do it again.

Well the day turned windy and rainy and cold for Arizona but I had a great time. I will do this again and take some of my relatives with me.

unforgettable experience and Chad our guide knows the region extremely well