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Arizona Bike Tour

Tour Overview

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Tour start | end: Tucson, Arizona Tucson, Arizona Length: 6 Days / 5 Nights Rating: Intermediate

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Bike Tour in Arizona's Saguaro National Park, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

Arizona bike tour highlights.

TRIP LENGTH:  6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS  | ACTIVITY:  BIKE  | TRIP RATING:  INTERMEDIATE  | DEPARTURES:  FEB, MAR, OCT, 2024  | PRICING:  $3790($875 single supp.)

More than Fifteen years ago, Sojourn pioneered this bike tour in Arizona. Outside Magazine has recognized this bike tour as a “life-list-worthy” experience. Over the years, this trip has proved to be a star amongst our avid cyclist guests. 

Where does this trip start, end, and go?

What is the level of difficulty of biking?

The trip is rated as intermediate, perfect for cyclists who are okay with a few gently rolling hills with some longer grades.

What are the accommodations on this trip?

We stay at some of Southern Arizona’s best properties, including the iconic Hacienda Del Sol. View the  Lodging tab  for accommodation details.

What other activities than biking?

Discover local birdlife on an avian adventure with a professional birder at Patagonia Lake; go for gallery browsing, spa time, and golf in Tubac, or visit Tumacacori, Arizona’s oldest Spanish mission site.

What are the duration, price, and dates for this tour?

The trip is for six days and five nights. Price starts at $3490 after $300 Savings until Dec 15th* ($875 single supp.). Currently, we have availability on departures in Feb, Mar., and Oct. 2024. See details under  Dates & Prices .

What is included in the pricing?

All breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners | All Accommodations | Complimentary use of Sojourn’s equipment and bikes, including e-bikes and much more. Here is a list of what’s included.

What kind of bikes and gears, including e-bikes, do you offer?

Sojourn bike tours include full carbon frame road bikes or lightweight aluminum hybrid bikes with a carbon fork. Here’s our  bike fleet and gear .

Do you have pictures of the tour?

View the Gallery Tab and enjoy photos from this trip.

What about customer reviews on this trip?

Guests love our Southern Arizona Bike Tour. Visit the  Reviews tab  to find what they say.

We have some other questions. How can we contact you?

The Tour Faq tab has most of the answers to guests’ questions. We are also delighted to help you with your next vacation. Write to  [email protected] . Call us at 800-730-4771 or 802-425-4771 or use our  contact us  form.

ALL WARM WINTER BIKE TOURS

Start your Southern Arizona bike tour at Tucson's magnificent Hacienda del Sol. Relax and unwind by the lovely hotel pool and grounds before this exclusive property's private reception and dinner. Enjoy spectacular views of the Santa Catalina Mountains from this historic heritage hotel of America.

Begin your day with a gorgeous ride on the Cactus Loop of Saguaro National Park through the park’s unusual ecosystem of giant Saguaro cacti.

A gradual climb over Gates Pass leads to a stunning ride through the west side of Saguaro National Park and to the highly regarded Arizona Desert Museum. Explore at your own pace or enjoy a docent-led tour through this unique and beautiful desert setting.

After a short shuttle, ride along an exhilarating landscape to the stunning Patagonia Lake State Park! Enjoy a picnic by the beautiful Patagonia Lake and then shuttle on to Tubac or get in an epic ride .

A stunning ride through unusual rock formations leads to the gorgeous and remote Peña Blanca lake. Continue to Tumacácori for an optional visit to Arizona’s oldest Spanish mission site and its Franciscan church.

We’ll transport you back to the airport in Tucson following breakfast.

Lodging Information

Distinctive lodging, carefully selected to complement your tour..

Hacienda Del Sol, Tucson

This historic Spanish Colonial style property is full of authentic southwestern charm. Pool and fine dining. (3 nights)

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa at Otero Ranch

Otero Ranch was created by the first Spanish land grant in the southwest. Enjoy spacious and luxurious haciendas of this historic yet upscale property featuring its own spa, golf course, restaurants and pool. (2 Nights)

• Support of experienced tour leaders from start to finish
• Full van support for a variety of route options
• Custom Sojourn jersey and water bottles – both yours to keep
• All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
• Rides through the cacti forests of Saguaro National Park
• Visit to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
• Five nights at boutique southwestern inns and resorts
• All breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners
• Complimentary use of Sojourn’s equipment and bikes [ Our Bike Fleet ]
• Tandem Custom Built Cannondales or Co-Motions options at an added cost of $300
• Baggage transfers and porterage
• Limited E-Bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Daily route directions, maps, and a downloadable GPS
• 5% Past Traveler Discount to use on your next Sojourn Tour
• Start & End: We pick you up from the Tucson airport at 2 PM to start the trip. Upon tour conclusion, we drop you off back in Tucson at 10 AM. 
• Meals: All breakfasts, as well as most dinners and lunches are covered. We leave a few evenings and afternoons open for you to explore the variety of restaurants in the area. We strongly recommend doing research regarding opening times and making a reservation for the restaurants you pick.
• Riding Conditions: It’s the Sonoran Desert, so you should always be prepared for the sun, but we only run our trips in the winter, so you can rest assured that temperatures on tour will not be too uncomfortable to ride. Tucson is a favored destination for European pros to train during the winter, so that’s certainly an indicator of the quality of the riding. 
• Shuttle: In order to offer you the best of the area on a trip, we sometimes have to make liberal use of shuttles.  Due to traffic in the area, some of the days start and end with a drive in the van to get guests to more quiet and scenic areas, usually for around 1 hour. 
• Routes: Although most of the riding is on trails and bike paths we do sometimes will share the road with traffic. Some roads can be busier and though it is relatively safe, we encourage guests who feel nervous to get in the van.
• E-Bike: Limited number of E-bikes available on this trip on a first come first serve basis. 
• Van support: There are a few longer ride days and you can choose to ride as much or as little as you want. Our vans are always there to offer you a break.
• Flexibility: Our trips are designed to be flexible, giving you the freedom to experience it the way YOU want. So if you want some downtime or to do things on your own, our leaders will work to find you the best days to do it.
• Routing and Scheduling :  The itinerary we provide can change on a certain day in terms of restaurant time, road closures, and weather conditions. Our leaders are fully trained at offering alternate plans and solutions. We seek your cooperation and promise to deliver the best vacation experience regardless. 

Private Trips

Reserve one of our regularly scheduled trip dates for your private group and qualify for reduced pricing. The larger your group, the lower the per person price. Gather your friends and we’ll do the rest to provide your group with a truly personalized and memorable vacation. Smaller groups can join published trips and receive reduced pricing on trips that aren’t reserved as private trip dates.

For groups of 12-15 people traveling together on a published tour date, a discount of 8% on the double occupancy trip price will apply.

For groups of 8-11 people traveling together on a published date, a discount of 6% on the double occupancy trip price will apply.

Group discounts may not be combined with other offers.

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Home » Cycling Tours » Spring/Autumn Tours & Calendar » Trail of the Apaches

• Trail of the Apaches

Please click here to jump to the Overview section with all tour details including pricing.

Trail of the Apaches: Arizona’s Sky Islands

Moving like the wind across the desert southwest.

Trace a route across the remote southern borderlands of Arizona. The Apache Indians, whose physical & mental endurance were legendary, once “moved like the wind across this landscape”. You’ll do the same on two wheels to discover a remote, wild and beautiful landscape of this sacred land.

Giant saguaros are a universal symbol of the American West, yet these majestic plants are only found in a relatively small portion of Arizona. Saguaro National Park protects some of the most impressive forests of these sub-tropical giants, on the edge of the Tucson city limits.

The Trail of the Apaches Bike Tour explores Arizona’s empty roads rising to the impenetrable mountain strongholds of the Apache. It offers various challenging levels for differing abilities. In addition to the incredible cycling, you’ll also experience Arizona’s Sky Islands: which are mountainous biologic refuges surrounding by desert that rise thousands of feet above the surrounding desert.

Join us to experience southern Arizona’s finest and most remote biking, stay at unique desert lodges, and gain a first hand understanding of the land the Apaches called home and refuge.

Desert Roads

Saguaro Cactus

Miles of empty roads…

Saguaro National Park

Trail of the Apaches: Testimonials

Read what previous guests on our Trail of the Apaches bike tour have been saying…

The trip was great!! The cycling routes were good – not much traffic and good roads. We reviewed the maps daily. I enjoyed the areas we cycled very much. My rental bike was just like the road bike I ride at home. The accommodation was also very good – I especially liked Patagonia. Such an interesting town! The meals were all good. David and Peter were very helpful and well organized. The group overall was a bunch of nice people!! I had an amazing week. I’m looking forward to more cycling soon, I hope. – Donna

The trip in Tucson was fantastic. Dave and Roy were the best. The food, the route, the camping, scenery, communication, bike rental and even the weather were all perfect. Especially making the trip enjoyable were Dave and Roy, our guides who worked together seamlessly to make it all work, two guys who combine talents as diverse as chefs, guides, storytellers, mechanics, fire makers, van drivers, cyclists, and motivators and did it all while seemingly having a good time themselves. – Alan

First off, a big thank you to Roy and Leslie for all the hard work they put into giving us a great tour. There wasn’t a moment when one or both of them were not breaking their backs for us – cooking, driving, loading bikes or hammering it out on the road. They made the tour a great success. Even though I signed up on my own, I quickly made connections with the four guys who have been cycling together for years. Their friendship was a big part of the experience. It says a lot about the type of people who are attracted to Lizard Head Tours that they were so welcoming to a new guy. Last, thanks for the challenging routes (and the great weather!) that allowed me to really push myself on everyday of the tour. I won’t forget the feeling of exhilaration on the top of Mt. Lemmon or the conversations had with new friends over a couple of well deserved beers. I’ll be back. – Christopher

The Trail of the Apaches was a joy to ride. The routes were challenging, but able to be conquered. The deserts of Arizona really have their own natural beauty, and this tour took us right through it. If I was to rate the riding and lodging alone I would give it an A, but add in the support, the lunches and the personality that both John and Steve brought and this trip was off the charts. – Dustin W.

Trail of the Apaches: Dates

Potential tour dates are listed below and not all tour dates will run. Lock in your preferred tour date early as unopened tour dates will be closed. Please see the Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar and the Summer Tour Calendar for confirmed departures. Any unopened date can be a Custom Week (9 riders required). Please contact us via email or call 970.728.5891

To easily register for a particular tour, please click the Book Now! link after the tour date listed below. This will select the tour name and the appropriate date on the registration form.

2024 Tour Dates

This tour runs from Monday to Friday unless noted otherwise.

• March 25 to 30, 2024 6-Day Tour ( Book Now! ) – TOUR OPENED 3 riders needed to make GO
• October 21 to 26, 2024 ( Book Now! )
• October 28 to November 2, 2024 6-Day Tour ( Book Now! ) – TOUR OPENED
• November 10 to 14, 2024 Sunday to Thursday ( Book Now! )

Tour Status Notes: NO STATUS = Date Set, no riders have signed up. TOUR OPENED = Tour Opened, rider minimums not met. TOUR A GO! = Tour is Go, rider minimums met. SOLD OUT = Tour Full, rider maximums met.

Why Should you Sign-Up Now and OPEN a Tour Date? This is the proverbial chicken and the egg conundrum! We need our cyclists to first commit to the date that works for them so that we can commit to that date.

For starters, when you OPEN a date you get to pick your preferred departure date, and there is no penalty if the tour does not run. Once you pick your tour date, Lizard Head closes nearby dates and funnels all additional riders to your chosen date until the tour meets its 6 rider minimum.

BONUS: As an added bonus, we can also hold a spot for you on another tour date of your choosing. There is no fee to switch to another tour date.

In conclusion, if you want a tour to run, we need you to sign up and not wait for others to do the same! Waiting for others may mean that a tour date takes longer or does not confirm. Just Do It! Once a few riders jump into the proverbial waters, others will follow!

Trail of the Apaches: Overview

Tour Length: 5-Days Cycling/4-Nights Lodging (6-Day option available, please inquire)

Meeting & Ending Location: Tucson, Arizona

Total Miles: 150 up to 380 mileage options. ( Can I keep up on this tour? )

Group Size: 6 to 15 riders

Daily Mileage Range: 15-96

5-Day Tour Cost: $2,900 per person with shared accommodations. Add $395 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (4-Nights).

6-Day Tour Cost: $3,485 per person with shared accommodations. Add $495 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (5-Nights).

Tour Discounts: Please see our Reptile Rewards & Tour Discounts page to learn more about Reptile Rewards, Tour Discounts, and Group Discounts. Tour discounts are not stackable with any other discounts or promotions – only the highest valued discount is provided. Please note that for discounts to apply the tour minimum must be met.

5-Day Tour Includes: 5-Days guide service, 4-Nights lodging, all meals (except for 1 dinner), entrance fees, daily lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, in-tour shuttles, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage (if available) are additional.

6-Day Tour Includes: 6-Days guide service, 5-Nights lodging, all meals (except for 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner), entrance fees, daily lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, in-tour shuttles, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage (if available) are additional.

Non-Riding Spouses & Partners on Tour: If a non-riding spouse or partner would like to join you on tour and they have their own transportation, they can stay in your room for the cost of the tour's single room supplement. Please note that non-riders cannot check into hotels prior to guide arrival as the guides need to manage the check-in process. Checking in a large group can be challenging and take longer than normal, so non-riders need to hang back and be patient. Non-riding spouses and partners are welcome to join the Lizard Head meal plan which includes breakfasts and dinners for $75 per day. Note: Lunches are not included for non-riders driving their own vehicles due to the inherent variability of both lunch timing and locations. It is best for non-riders to plan to explore each day.

Lodging for 4-Nights: (subject to change)

• Nights 1 & 2: Starr Pass Suites  Tucson, AZ (2,400′ elevation) – The 6-Day tour stays here Nights 1, 2, & 3.
• Nights 3 & 4: Stage Stop Inn , Patagonia, AZ (4,100′ elevation)

Road Bike Rentals

NOTE: The make, model, and specifications of rental bikes may differ from what is described below. Please contact us if you have any specific needs for a rental bike or have any questions about rental bikes.

Lizard Head Cycling Guides is proud to rent Scott Bikes. The Scott Addict 10 Disc was designed from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 10 will be your go to when you’re looking to put the miles in.

The Scott Addict 10 Disc features: Carbon Frame and Fork, Shimano Ultegra 2x11 Drivetrain, 34x32 Compact Gearing, 30mm Tires, and Hydraulic Disc Brakes. Approx. Weight: 16.89 lbs / 7.66 kg (without pedals)

☛ Learn more about our Rental Bikes and Equipment

Road E-Bike Rentals: Click Here for more information on our Road E-Bike Rentals including pricing. Please note that E-Bikes are not available for certain tours including those that involve camping. Please contact us for more information before registering for a tour. NOTE: E-Bikes are great, but our tours are designed to be ridden without motorized assistance. We offer "bumps" along the road so that everyone can stay together.

Take Your Rental Bike Home! Click Here for more information.

Couples Bike Rental Discount: Sign up as a couple and receive a $125 discount on the second bike rental for a one week tour. (Standard road bikes only. E-Bikes and east coast based tours excluded.)

Tandems and Recumbents: Lizard Head Cycling Guides happily accommodates both tandem and recumbent bikes on our tours.

If you have any further questions, please read more on our Rental Bikes FAQ page. You can also email us at [email protected] or call us at 970.728.5891

Meals On Tour

We also pride ourselves on being able to cater to specific dietary requests and needs, so rest assured that you will be able to get the nutrition that works best for you during your tour. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, or a someone who loves it all – we will keep you well fed during the tour!

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.

Riding on the Trail of the Apaches Bike Tour

Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced

The details: Our Trail of the Apaches Bike Tour traces a route across the remote borderlands of southern Arizona.

This region features broad out-wash valleys flanked by towering mountain ranges, which dominate this basin-and-range topography. The rocky, forested peaks loom like giant monuments above the desert floors.

All in all, this Arizona bike tour makes for an exceptionally remote and wild cycling route, far from our modern, hectic civilization.

Each fall and spring, you’ll enjoy warm temperatures and few cars in this remote region. Lower and higher mileage options are available each day.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a “birder,” you’ll appreciate the variety of the bird life on this tour. You’ll notice an abundance of cactus wren, large birds of prey, various species of quail and hummingbird, and course roadrunners (not like the ones Wile E. Coyote chased).

The weather: Southern Arizona offers near-perfect fall and early spring weather for bike touring. In October and early November, the cottonwoods shine yellow along the river corridors, and the days are short and crisp. During spring, while the rest of North America is still cold and wet, the desert blooms and provides ideal cycling temperatures to start the season.

Non-Riding Activities

The Trail of the Apaches is an Arizona bike tour that can accommodate adventurous non-cyclists. Contact us for details. Here are non-riding options for each day:

• Days 1 & 2: Hike the trails of Saguaro National Park & visit the Sonoran Desert Museum .
• Day 4: Shop & hike in Patagonia , AZ

Hiking on Day 2

The San Pedro River in Fall

Hedgehog Cactus Flowers

Ability Level: Can I Ride This Tour?

How Fit do I Have to Be? If one month prior to the tour, you can ride 2 to 3 times a week equaling a total of 75 or more miles a week, you'll do just fine. We like to jokingly say that "one is ready for a Lizard Head Cycling Tour when they are finished with tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week long bike tour is to go on a week long tour.

Our average rider age is 55 years. These are bike tours, not races so we take our time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. We have all day to reach our destination and most riders take "bumps" at some points. We offer reduced mileage options for each day. Of course if someone wants to ride E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch), we love to show them all the extra climbs, loops and hidden canyons that can be included!

Do the Bump! Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy this tour. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a "bump" via the support vehicle, or a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time. After the bump the rider is "off the front" and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group. They'll then have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery. All cyclists come together in time for lunch. Afterwards, cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.

Seamless Mileage Options: Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options for each tour – something we're well known for in our business. This technique is similar to heliskiing in that one does not ski everything, they ski the best. 🙂

Slow or Fast? Many cyclists who sign up for our tours have worried themselves silly about not being able to keep up, but then they're surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing. They do just fine! Slow and Fast only exist relative to other cyclists. Speed does not matter as long as one is moving on the bike. As long as one is moving, they are truly going fast enough.

If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office via email or call us at 970.728.5891 - we'll more than happy to guide you!

Please also see this blog post for more information.

Overall Route Map

Below is an example of the daily routes for this tour and are subject to change based on season, available accommodations, road closures, and other factors. The actual routes will be made available to registered participants before their tour, so please view these routes as a general outline as to what to expect.

Trail of the Apaches: Itinerary*

*PLEASE NOTE: Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations, road construction, road closures, and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Also, the distances and elevation profiles shown below may not reflect the actual distances and elevations while on tour as these are provided here to give an idea as to the anticipated mileage and terrain. Please view this itinerary, the distances, and elevation profiles as a general outline as to what to expect while on this tour.

NOTE: The 5-Day itinerary eliminates the Day 3 Ascent to Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Day 1: Saguaro National Park 20 to 30 mile warm up ride with optional 3 to 10 mile hike through Giant Saguaros

We meet and greet at the designated meeting hotel in Tucson, shuttle 15 minutes towards Saguaro National Park, and ride 10-miles over Gates Pass for an aid station at the Sonora Desert Museum . Next cyclists engage a ride through the Saguaro on the 8-mile McCann Loop back to the Desert Museum. Once back at the museum guests take in the museum’s botanical garden and fascinating displays of the Sonora Desert’s flora and fauna. If interested post museum, guests can engage in an energizing 3-mile hike through the picturesque desert jewel of Saguaro National Park. Post hike guests ride or shuttle back to this evening’s lodging.

Day 2: Ascent of Mt. Lemmon 59 miles with up to 6,920 feet of climbing

Today we have a short shuttle to the base of the mighty Santa Catalina Mountains for an ascent of Mt. Lemmon. The climb of Mt. Lemmon is a bucket list ride for many North American cyclists as the ride is the biological equivalent of riding from Mexico to Canada. Riders can climb all the way to the summit or climb partway and then head back down the mountain. Have no doubt about it, this will be a challenging climb, but the descending is incredible and the views are amazing!

Ascent of Mt. Lemmon Elevation Profile: 59 miles +6,920 feet / -6,920 feet

Day 3: Ascent to Kitt Peak National Observatory 24 miles with up to 3,580 feet of climbing

Today we’ll climb a southwestern classic to the summit of Kitt Peak. Kitt Peak offers an almost car-free riding experience to a Sky Island above the Sonoran Desert. The climb itself is 11 miles with nearly 3,600 feet of ascending at a 5 to 7% grade. Cyclists enjoy lunch and a tour of the telescopes at the summit.

After the descending Kitt Peak, we’ll shuttle briefly to the western unit of Saguaro National Park. From here, cyclists have the option of riding or shuttling back over Starr Pass back to tonight’s lodging.

Elevation Profile: 24 miles +3,580 feet / -3,580 feet

Day 4: Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge 52 miles with up to 1,850 feet of climbing

On this day we make a run for the border heading south through the Altar Valley on a quiet and beautiful desert road alongside the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge . This ride is a desert classic offering beautiful views of the Los Guijas Mountains and birds of all types! At the half-way point of the ride there is an espresso aid station at the Gadsden Coffee Co. in Arivaca, Arizona.

The riding ends in Amado, Arizona followed by a shuttle to our lodging at the Stage Stop Inn in Patagonia, Arizona.

Elevation Profile: 52 miles +1,850 feet / -1,770 feet

Day 5: Patagonia Lake State Park Roundtrip Road Route: 23 miles with up to 2,200 feet of climbing Mixed Terrain Route: 30 miles with up to 1,850 feet of climbing (50% paved/50% gravel)

Today we will cover a route from our lodging in Patagonia up to Patagonia Lake State Park. . The park was established in 1975 and is the winter home for birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds. We will enjoy lunch at the lake and a wild swimming opportunity!

After lunch we will descend back to Patagonia, Arizona and our lodging at the Stage Stop Inn .

Optional Mixed Terrain Ride: From Patagonia, if conditions permit, there is an optional easier 30-mile mixed terrain ride, The Patagonia 30, that our cyclists can engage if they are interested in this less technical gravel ride.

Fun Fact: The night sky from southern Arizona is one of the darkest in the lower 48 states.

Road Route Elevation Profile: 23 miles +2,200 feet / -2,200 feet

Mixed Terrain Elevation Profile: 30 miles +1,850 feet / -1,850 feet

Day 6: Patagonia to Parker Canyon Lake to Sonoita 70 miles with up to 5,210 feet of climbing

On our final day we ride from Patagonia to the sky island of Parker Canyon and Parker Canyon Lake. To start the day cyclists ride a route through the Canelo Hills and upward through Parker Canyon to a lunch stop at the Parker Canyon Lake. After a well deserved break, we reverse course and head downhill towards Elgin traversing Arizona’s wide open wine growing region where we will have to option to end at one of the area’s wineries. We then shuttle back to Tucson to end the tour.

Elevation Profile: 70 miles +5,210 feet / -4,400 feet

Trail of the Apaches: Logistics & FAQs

Bike shipping.

Lizard Head Cycling recommends shipping with BikeFlights.com . Bikes can be shipped either to our partner bike shop in each meeting town for professional assembly or directly to the meeting hotel for self-assembly. Bike boxes can generally be left at the meeting hotel during the tour. Bikes shipped across the continental US should be shipped 8 days prior to your tour.

Tour Support A 15-passenger van and trailer that carries luggage, food and equipment supports Lizard Head Cycling’s tours. Cyclists keep a day bag that is accessible within the support vehicle.

The vehicle will sag and then pass riders to set up aid stations every 20 to 25 miles. This allows cyclists to linger at the back and then take a ten-mile, fifteen-mile or whatever mile “bump” forward to catch-up or get ahead of the group. Energy food, drink mixes, and fresh fruit are available throughout each stage.

The Daily Schedule Cyclists ride their own pace. Lizard Head Cycling does its best to support riders in their varying desires and efforts. Cyclists can either use our tours to simply support their tour experience or to engage in a guided experience along the route.

Cue sheets with directions, profiles and locations of aid stations are given out for each stage.

General Tour & Cancellation Policies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of our tour and cancellation policies, which can be found by clicking here .

Travel Insurance

If you have not already, now would be a great time to consider adding travel insurance to your tour. You are welcome to use any travel insurance company you would like. We recommend Generali/Trip Mate.

Generally, if contracting COVID causes clients to cancel or interrupt their tour, trip insurance companies would treat it as any other illness as long as it is contracted after the insurance was purchased. Please check your individual plan documentation for details. Please note that quarantine is usually only covered if clients are actually sick with COVID. If a state requires quarantine upon arrival because of standardized state law, coverage is generally not covered. Again, check your individual plan documentation for details.

American Guests - use this link: http://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/get-a-quote.html?partner=LIZA0855

• The Premium Plan is the only plan which offers Pre-Existing coverage so long as the plan is purchased prior to Final Payment.
• The Premium Plan is the only plan that offers an optional Cancel For Any Reason - the policy must be purchased within 24 hours of initial trip deposit, the full trip cost must be insured, and if they cancel for Any Reason, it must be 48 hours prior to departure, and the reimbursement for an Any Reason claim is 60% of pre-paid, insured, non-refundable trip cost.
• Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-874-2442 for coverage questions and policy modifications or to purchase by phone. Agency Code: LIZA0855

Canadian Guests - use this link: https://tripmate.catravelins.ca/?utm_source=lizardhead

• Sign Up for a Tour Here! Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar Summer Tour Calendar

Late Winter/Early Spring Tours

• Big Bend & Texas Mountains
• Death Valley National Park (California)
• Joshua Tree Road & Gravel (California)
• Moab & The Back of Beyond (Utah)
• Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi)
• Texas Hill Country
• Tour of Maui (Charity Ride/Hawaii)
• Trail of the Apaches (Arizona)

Spring Road Tours

• Boulder, Bryce & Zion (Utah)
• Gateway & Wine Country Loop (Colorado)
• Great Smoky Mountains (North Carolina)
• New Mexico Bike Tour
• Redrock Canyons (Utah)
• Texas & New Mexico EPIC
• Tour of the Gila (New Mexico)
• Utah-Escalante Loop
• Zion Bike & Explore (Utah)
• Zion to Telluride (Utah)

Summer Road Tours

• Aspen Loop (Colorado)
• Aspen to Santa Fe Bike Tour (Colorado)
• Black Hills Road Bike Tour (South Dakota)
• Cascade Cols Bike Tour (Oregon)
• Colorado Cols – Grand Junction Loop
• – Colorado Springs to Durango
• – Durango to Colorado Springs
• Columbia River Gorge Bike Tour (Oregon)
• Glacier National Park (Montana)
• Hope 400 Adventure Bike Tour (Switzerland)
• Mountains-to-Rivers Colorado Bike Tour
• New York and Vermont to Montreal
• Norte de Nuevo México (New Mexico)
• Northern Colorado Bike Tour
• Northwoods & Lake Superior (Wisconsin)
• Nova Scotia (Canada)
• San Juan Skyway (Colorado)
• Wallowa Mountains Bike Tour (Oregon)
• Willamette Valley Bike Tour (Oregon)
• Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

Autumn Road Tours

• Colorado Cols – Grand Junction Loop

Late Autumn Road Tours

• Death Valley National Park

Gravel Bike Tours

• Blue Ridge Ramble Mixed Terrain Tour (North Carolina)
• Bridges and Battlegrounds Mixed Terrain Tour (Pennsylvania)
• Colorado Gravel Tour
• Crested Butte to Telluride (Colorado)
• Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Canal (Pennsylvania)
• Hardcore Hayduke! (Utah)
• Hayduke Trail (Utah)
• Jornada del Muerto Road & Gravel (New Mexico)
• Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel Tour (Utah)
• Southwest Colorado Road & Gravel

Mountain Bike Tours

• Hayduke Trail MTB (Utah)
• Hayduke North: Castles & Goblins MTB (Utah)
• Abajos to Moab MTB (Utah)
• Best of Moab MTB Tour (Utah)
• Big Bend Texas MTB
• Bryce to Zion MTB Tour (Utah)
• Colorado Trail MTB
• Grand Staircase Utah MTB

MTB Singletrack Tours

• Crested Butte Singletrack (Colorado)
• New Mexico Singletrack

Family Friendly Tours

• Bears Ears to Lake Powell MTB Tour
• Summer Backcountry Family MTB Tour

3 to 5 Day Tours

• Abajos to Moab MTB (4 Days)
• Best of Moab MTB Tour (4-5 Days)
• Big Bend Texas MTB (5 Days)
• Crested Butte Singletrack MTB (3-4 Days)
• Death Valley National Park ROAD (4 Days)
• Gateway & Wine Country Loop ROAD (4 Days)
• Grand Staircase Utah MTB (5 Days)
• Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Canal GRAVEL (5 Days)
• Moab & The Back of Beyond ROAD (4 Days)
• New Mexico Bike Tour ROAD (4 Days)
• New Mexico Singletrack MTB (4 Days)
• Redrock Canyons ROAD (4 Days)
• San Juan Skyway ROAD (3-5 Days)
• Texas Hill Country ROAD (4 Days)
• Zion Bike & Explore ROAD (4 Days)

EPIC Road & MTB Tours

• Aspen to Santa Fe Bike Tour (11 Days)
• Colorado EPIC ROAD (13 Days)
• Hayduke Trail MTB (12 Days)
• Texas & New Mexico EPIC ROAD (14 Days)
• Utah EPIC ROAD (13 Days)

National Park Tours

• Badlands National Park (ROAD)
• Big Bend National Park (MTB)
• Big Bend National Park (ROAD)
• Black Canyon Of The Gunnison (ROAD)
• Boulder, Bryce & Zion (ROAD)
• C&O National Historical Park (GRAVEL)
• Crater Lake National Park (ROAD)
• Death Valley National Park (ROAD)
• Glacier National Park (ROAD)
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (ROAD)
• Natchez Trace Parkway (ROAD)
• Redrock Canyons (ROAD)
• Yellowstone National Park (ROAD)

Self-Guided Road Tours

• Boulder, Bryce & Zion Self-Guided Tour
• Moab & The Back of Beyond Self-Guided Tour
• Northern New Mexico Self-Guided Tour
• Redrock Canyons Self-Guided Tour

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A Tour on Two Wheels

Cycling in arizona.

Travel on two wheels. Whether you're a casual cyclist or an endurance rider, you'll have fun exploring these top places to bike in Arizona.

With 300-plus days of sunshine and thousands of miles of cycle-friendly roads, Arizona is consistently ranked as a top destination for serious cyclists. But you don't have to be hardcore to appreciate the state's scenic routes. From mountain treks and desert excursions to laid-back city rides, there is something for everyone in Arizona.

Cycling trails with inspiring views

Bell rock pathway.

Sedona's magnificent red rocks, olive-colored cacti and clear blue skies make for startling color combinations as you ride off into the sunset.

Sedona bike trails are legendary for their slickrock and technical single track, but even novice riders can get dirt in their tread on the nearly four-mile Bell Rock Path ( requires a permit ), located near the Village of Oak Creek with views of the iconic Courthouse Butte.

Rainbow Rim Trail

On the Grand Canyon's North Rim, mountain bikers can pedal the edge of one of the world's most impressive natural wonders. On the Rainbow Rim Trail , take in the sights of the abyss from above. An ideal way to soak up the views is on a guided bike tour; Western Spirit Cycling offers a five-day ride for introductory to intermediate cyclists. Family-friendly and teenage-level trips on the North and South Rims are also available.

Sunset Crater Loop

In spring and summer, enjoy the 46-mile Sunset Crater Loop near Flagstaff, a challenging route for experienced bikers. Cycle up 3,000 feet of elevation through two famous Arizona destinations, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and the Wupatki National Monument , on this long-haul bike ride along the border of the Painted Desert. Caution when biking: The loop is part of a paved scenic route meaning you'll possibly end up sharing your ride with motorists.

Some of the best mountain biking trails in AZ

Peavine trail.

In Prescott, Peavine Trail follows the original Santa Fe Railway and is one of Arizona's few Rail to Trail paths. The six-mile route is rife with cool breezes, warm sunshine and opportunities to spot wildlife. You'll pedal by the golden-hued desert landscape and past glittering Watson Lake on the way to the stacked boulders of the Granite Dells .

For mountain bikers, there are miles and miles of single track in Western Arizona. Lake Havasu City's SARA (Special Activities and Recreation Area) Park has an abundance of adrenaline-worthy trails across the rocky terrain. Choose your trail and admire the stunning scenery along the way from desert trails to mountaintop vistas overlooking the city's namesake lake.

Paved pathways and road cycling

Indian bend wash.

Scottsdale's network of paved biking trails along the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt , which cuts through the middle of the city, is perfect for a leisurely afternoon ride. The urban landscape comprises parks, lakes and golf courses, with opportunities for a detour at every turn. Break for lunch or a yummy treat at one of Scottsdale's many foodie destinations along the way.

Sabino Canyon

For a short ride with a beautiful view, it is a steep pedal up (733 feet) Sabino Canyon's car-free road near Tucson. Pass by saguaro-spotted mountains and Arizona greenery on this paved climb through the canyon. Note: Bicycling is prohibited on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Chuck Huckelberry Loop

Known simply as " The Loop ," this system of paved pathways and bike lanes extends over 136 miles (with more planned) connecting areas throughout Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana and South Tucson. Shops, restaurants and (on the weekend) farmers' markets dot the route, enticing cyclists to stop for a break.

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Travel from Yuma's West Wetlands along the Arizona-California border to the East Wetlands and Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park . This popular route can be accessed from downtown Yuma and is a popular one among walkers, birdwatchers and cyclists and also history buffs interested in seeing the city's various heritage sites.

Cycling events in Arizona

El tour de tucson.

The 102-, 57- and 28-mile El Tour de Tucson , Arizona's premier annual road bike ride, loops throughout Tucson and offers routes for people of all ages and skill levels. The nationally recognized November event also has Fun Ride options, including shorter races for kids, for those in search of a more casual spin.

For a family-friendly experience, bring the entire family to Cyclovia Tucson , a biannual event in spring and fall that closes downtown streets to motorized vehicles so bicycle riders can enjoy them.

White Mountain Tour

If you're looking for a multi-day ride, check out the Tour of the White Mountains – two days of fun and pedaling through the Ponderosa Pines. Held annually in the fall, this event lets you experience some of Arizona's best single track as you circle in and around the mountain town of Pinetop-Lakeside . Not a mountain biker? Join the festivities anyway. This family-friendly event invites spectators to partake in food, games, live music and more.

Hotels that rent bikes to guests in Arizona

Several resorts offer bicycles for guests to rent or borrow, including:

Amara Resort and Spa , Sedona Arizona Inn , Tucson Bespoke Inn , Scottsdale The Graduate , Tempe Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix The Motor Lodge , Prescott

Where to rent bikes in Arizona

Outfitters offer bike and gear rentals, as well as guiding packages, including:

Absolute Bikes , Sedona and Flagstaff Bright Angel Bicycles , Grand Canyon Village Oro Valley Bicycles , Oro Valley Tucson Bike Rentals , Tucson Prescott E-Bike Rentals and Tours , Prescott

Writers Teresa Bitler and Nora Burba Trulsson contributed to this story.

Outdoor Adventures

Mountain Biking in Arizona

We asked some of Arizona's most experienced athletes for their picks for the best mountain biking trails for all levels and views.

Explore Organ Pipe's Backcountry by Bike

The national monument's rugged roads carry bikepackers through the 'most beautiful portion of the Sonoran Desert'.

Arizona's Easiest Trails and Activities for Beginners

Venturing into the great outdoors can seem a bit daunting at first. Here are some beginner-friendly suggestions to get you started and have you...

Bright Angel Bicycles & Cafe

We are a Grand Canyon bike tour and rental company, offering bikes to cruise the awesome rim trails of South Rim, Grand Canyon. Along with our...

Outdoor Adventure

Flagstaff E-Bike Tours

Ride along Flagstaff's pathways and urban trails (FUTS) one of our Fat Tire E-bikes. Experience the beauty of the area while discovering how...

Oro Valley Bicycle Rentals

We offer the largest selection of road, mountain, hybrid, tandem and ebikes in all of Arizona. Located on the Oro Valley/Tucson Loop bike path,...

Ready to Ride Rentals

Rent the latest dirt bikes from brands like KTM Motorcycles and Husqvarna Motorcycles. Need a dirt bike for just one day, or an entire week?...

Tucson Bike Rentals

Tucson Bike Rentals and Tours delivers new and premium road, mountain and hybrid bikes as well as top of line bicycles for kids and women. We...

About the Author

Karl Samson

Although he lives in Oregon, for more than 20 years Karl Samson has been escaping his home state's rainy winter weather to dry out in sunny Arizona. He is the author of the Frommer's Arizona guidebook and has also written about Arizona for Sunset magazine.

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Plan Your Trip

Cities & regions.

From the abundance of Saguaro cactuses and unique wildlife in the Sonoran Desert to the high country and forests of the White Mountains to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, Arizona’s regions are full of experiences that don’t disappoint.

Arizona Sonora Bike Tour

Daily distance, 30-50 miles, included activities, cycling (bikes included), sonora desert museum, kartchner caverns, included meals, all breakfasts. one lunch and one dinner on your own..

Bicycle Adventures provides a top of the line, personalized experience that enables you to explore extraordinary landscapes at 15 miles per hour with new friends.

Stupendous! All you do is show up, trained to ride, prepared for weather and everything else is provided.

Southern Arizona: Azure skies, endless vistas hemmed with 10,000-foot peaks. Names out of a medieval fantasy: Chiricahuas, Dragoons, Catalinas, Rincons. This is the land of Geronimo, Cochise and 250-year-old saguaro cacti, where the sweet scent of desert creosote flower fills the air. Wildlife is prolific, from coyote to javelina, desert tortoise and rare birds. Bike sun-drenched bike paths and quiet side roads. Try your legs and lungs on Mt. Lemmon. Wander through heart-stealing landscapes. Explore the fascinating Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park (East and West), the “Sky Islands,” Coronado National Forest, Bisbee, Kartchner Caverns and plenty more!

This tour is operated under special use permit/s with the Coronado National Forest and Saguaro National Park. Bicycle Adventures is an equal opportunity provider.

Marvel at the Raptor Free Flight show at the Sonora Desert Museum. Cycle through colossal cacti in West Saguaro National Park.

– Lunch – Dinner

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

+2,151 ft / -2,023 ft

Shuttle to the marvelous Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in time to see the Raptor Free Flight show while your guides prepare your bikes. Cycle quiet roads through West Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park from McCain Loop Rd to Gates Pass. Shake hands (metaphorically speaking!) with towering, some claim mystical, saguaro cacti – undisputed icons of the Sonoran Desert and a universal symbol of the American Southwest. Once in the city proper, we avoid the hectic streets by pedaling part of “The Loop” – Tucson’s delightful network of over 100 miles of urban shared-use paths. Cycle on The Loop to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort , where we will spend the next three nights.

Raptor show runs October 27-April 7.

Cycle rural roads, paved paths and the "Cactus Loop" in Saguaro National Park East.

– Breakfast – Lunch

44 miles (or less)

+2027 ft / -1604 ft (or less)

Today, we begin our ride at Le Buzz Café, a popular staging location and hangout for local cyclists. Follow rural roads on the outskirts of Tucson, stopping here and there to take in views of the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains to the north and east. Explore Saguaro National Park East on the 8-mile Cactus Forest Loop takes you on a cruise through the rare saguaro forests of this area. Some folks say they could do this loop all day long – and indeed, many take the time to ride it in both directions! Following a gloriously gourmet picnic lunch, ride back to the hotel, or hop in the van to shuttle if you wish. You may want to save time for a visit to the pool! Dinner is on your own tonight.

Spectacular Mt. Lemmon!

– Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Mt. Lemmon: 60 mile round trip (or as much as you like)

Mt. Lemmon: +6,992 ft / -6,993 ft (or as much as you like)

Tackle all or part of the climb up Mt. Lemmon today. There are plenty of van support options if you don’t want to do the whole thing, and the mountain is worth a visit for a hike on your own even if you don’t plan to ride.

Rising almost 7000 feet from the valley floor, Mt. Lemmon is well-known as one of the premier bicycle climbs in the U.S. Tremendous views begin almost immediately as you ascend from cactus country on the valley floor up into the land of wildflowers, pines – and eventually – subalpine forests. In terms of biological diversity, cycling up Mt. Lemmon is the equivalent of riding from Arizona to southern Canada. Suffice it to say, it’s a different world on top on Mt. Lemmon any day of the year. Keep an eye out for transitory waterfalls and hidden canyons with goblin-like hoodoo rock formations as you ascend. Spring visits may feature wildflowers in bloom and fall visits may feature colorful aspens and maples. We are confident you won’t see a more fascinating range of habitat and ecology on any other 60-mile bicycle ride. Mt. Lemmon is truly a one-of-a-kind gem!

Visit Kartchner Caverns, a stunning limestone cavern system and stay at an inn known for its diversity of birds and butterflies.

Casa de San Pedro

After breakfast we shuttle to Kartchner Caverns for a tour (admission included) of what lies beneath the desert. The world-class cave formations here are considered to be some of the best of their kind in the entire world. First discovered in the early 1970s, the cave was kept a secret for over a decade (to protect it) until, in 1985, Governor Bruce Babbitt secretly left the state capitol with two bodyguards and spent three hours crawling through tight passages to reach the cave’s showcase chambers, including the Big Room, Echo Passage and Cul-de-sac Passage. Kartchner Caverns finally gained official Arizona State Park status in 1999. Have lunch after the tour and then shuttle south to Hereford for a two-night stay at Casa de San Pedro , home to over 355 species of birds and hundreds of butterflies. Settle in at the hotel, enjoy the pool, chase birds and butterflies, or go for an easy ride in the area before enjoying a family-style Mexican dinner with us tonight.

Cycle in the "Sky Islands" to a mountain reservoir.

+3968 ft / -4123 ft (or less)

Today holds plenty of surprises, as well as a total change of scenery! The first surprises are the vineyards of the Sonoita and Elgin areas of Arizona, south of Tucson. The rich soils of this region are almost a mirror image of those in Burgundy, France. The second surprise is the scenery of the “Sky Islands” high country. We say farewell to saguaros and hello to hillsides covered in manzanita, Gambel oaks, sycamore and yucca. Our route – a locals’ favorite – follows a twisting, traffic-free road to a refreshing mountain reservoir in Coronado National Forest. There is plenty of great riding here for you to enjoy as much or as little as you wish.

Pedal to a Border Wall and bohemian Bisbee, home of the copper queen.

– Breakfast

37 miles (or less)

+2,435 ft / -1,325 ft (or less)

After breakfast, ride to Naco – a tiny town cut in two by the USA/Mexico border – for a look at “The Wall”. From there, we continue pedaling to the artsy, bohemian burg of Bisbee. The nearby Copper Queen Mine (no longer in operation) put Bisbee on the map beginning in the 1870s and was the source of some of the world’s highest-grade copper ore for over a century. Rumor also has it that Bisbee had the first (of many, many to come) golf course in the state of Arizona. Spend some time exploring Bisbee’s wonderful art galleries, mining and historical museums or historical buildings. Lunch is on your own in town. “Ore” – bad pun, we know! –  if you’ve seen enough of Bisbee already, you can opt for some more miles on an extra climb (6-mile round trip, +/-650ft) to Mule Pass. In the afternoon we will load up and shuttle (approximately 1hr 45 min) back to Tucson.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Availability

Tour guides.

Ryan Hughes

Guest Services Manager

James Kelly

Kurt McCanles

Nolan Jensen

Camille Meyer-Arendt

General manager / tour guide.

Renee McCanles

Kempton Baker

Hybrid / Flat Bar Road

Pedal Assist E-Bike $200 surcharge applies

Ready for your next adventure.

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Southern Arizona & Tucson Cycling Tour

March 15 - 20, 2024, (6 days, 5 nights; fri - wed).

Hub Cycling Tour

Double booking, $2890/person, single booking, roommate rebate.

Includes all lodging, all breakfasts and dinners, van support, park entrance fees, leaders, tour maps & narratives.

Assembly Point

Green valley, az.

Timberline van shuttle is included from and to Tucson Airport.

Not included: Airline service to Tucson International Airport, Guide Gratuity.

Meeting Time

Airport 2 pm, airport hotel 2:30 pm, green valley hotel 3:30, drop-off time.

“ Our two tour guides were excellent. Met all our needs .” Jan K., Tucson cycling

Tucson & Southwest Arizona Cycling Tours

The Tucson area and southwest Arizona is frequently exalted as a cycling mecca by organizations from Forbes, Outside and the Travel Channel. We first learned to love the area from our Chiricahua hiking adventures , but our cycling tours have shown us what a beautiful area it is for early season cycling.  Come join us to see for yourself.

Group Cycling Tour Itinerary

The city is ringed by 4 mountain ranges, so our itinerary includes exploring some summits and canyons as well as some of the flatter desert areas. That means there will be memorable views and wide expanses. During the week we will ride in the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, cruise the Green Valley to the south, explore both east and west Saguaro National Park, and visit quaint and quirky communities.  Make sure you get a picture of the iconic Saguaro Cactus.  This symbol of the southwest is found only in the Sonoran Desert, and surrounds the Tucson area.

See Detailed Itinerary Here:

Contact us to learn more about our bicycle tour throughout Southern Arizona! Explore our year-round group cycling and hiking calendar now!

Total Distance: 220 miles

Inn highlights.

• Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
• Green Valley Inn

Related Tours

DATES UNSCHEDULED

Chiricahua & the sonoran desert.

Timberline Adventures / 214 Mohawk Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 / 1-800-417-2453 or 303-664-8388 / Fax: 303-664-8395

Routes, mileage and accommodations are subject to change due to safety, road/trail conditions, weather and availability.

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ARIZONA ROAD BIKE TOUR

Tucson & saguaro national park.

• Private Tours and Custom Tours Solos, Couples & Friends
• Departure: Tucson, AZ
• Departs On: Monday
• Duration: 5 Days
• Lodging: Luxury Inns & Restaurants
• Fitness Level: 3-4
• Elevation Range: 2,000 - 8,000 ft.

That dreamscape starts with the year-round enjoyable winter climate. Then the tire meets the endless back-roads on vast expanses of wide-open desert. Looming above the desert landscape, cyclists savor some world-class ascents: Mount Lemmon, at 9,157-feet, represents the high point in the Santa Catalina range on the cities’ northern edge. Broad in the shoulders (for enhanced safety-passing) with curves for excitement, Lemmon’s 7000-ft of elevation gain features dramatic otherworldly rock formations and  breathtaking views. Since our tour is fully supported, choose to shuttle half way up (or to the top if you like) and simply enjoy the descent.

Our tour de Tucson builds out with stages in Saguaro National Park, on gorgeous loops through the 95,000-acre wilderness. At the Tumacacori National Historic site, we glide into the Long Ago: a beautifully preserved 17th century adobe mission set atop a high, golden plain. Another stage takes us through glorious tall grass prairie and rolling hills in and around Sonoita. Here we visualize old Tucson, and what’s known as Arizona’s Mountain Empire: the Santa Rita, Whetstone, Huachuca and Patagonia ranges. Besides the great stands of Saguaro cacti, the rich and diverse habitat of Javelina and Roadrunner, we course through the neighborhood of “El Jefe”. He’s a Tucson celebrity and one of the last remaining non-captive jaguars roaming the wild.

By virtue of Tucson’s progressive light pollution codes, fantastic stargazing lights up our evenings. Likewise, each meal here gets across the board- five stars.

Day 1: Meet in Tucson: a city of gastronomy and a year-round outdoor playground. After an authentic Mexican meal, we carve into a local favorite: the Tucson Loop. This loop a network of shared-use paths in  metropolitan area

Day 2: On Gates Pass, at 3172-ft, we pedal one of the most scenic rides in The West. On Tucson’s west end, we wind it on a narrow road, through rich High Desert environs; Saguaros standing watch on the steep hillsides. Closing out at Tucson’s Mountain Park, we stop at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, an innovative presentation of flora and fauna in region-specific ecological exhibits.

Day 3: We ride the high-altitude grasslands around Sonoita, Arizona’s wine country. Drinking in the crisp air at 5,000-ft., we follow the scenic road around “vineyard alley”. Continue to Patagonia Lake and the village of Patagonia: a one time mining/railroad hub turned arts-crafts and superb coffee habitué. On riverside roads, we revel in magnificent High Desert scenery: adobe houses mixed in with gracious, Old Spanish style ranches. Next: a drop into the Spanish mission of Tumacácori, now a National Historic Monument. At the adjacent village of Tubac, we decompress amidst a former Spanish fort turned vibrant arts colony.

Day 4: The following day we meet the challenge: the 30-mile Mount Lemmon route, the very centerpiece of our tour de Tucson, if not a route beyond categorization. Here we cycle up what biologists call a “sky island”: by turns isolated and richly diverse mountaintop habitat.

Day 5: More of the same world-class/signature rides. From a warm-up ride on the Old Spanish Trail, we merge onto Pistol Hill. A signature Southern Arizona ride, Pistol Hill offers 40-miles of bike dedicated lane—with scant motorized traffic—through Saguaro National Park/East. Expect upwards of 1600-ft of climbing, an equal amount of descent just beyond the reach of long-armed Saguaro cactus, (which grow nowhere else on Earth). Closing out a magnificent adventure, we shuttle back to our hotel and then to the airport.

Luxury Inn: Hacienda Del Sol | Tucson, AZ

5501 N Hacienda Del Sol Rd Tucson, AZ 85718-5122

Nestled at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountain Range, Hacienda Del Sol is a relaxing refuge with breathtaking views and a storied history. Hacienda Del Sol is included in the National Registry of Historic Places in Arizona and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. Each room, suite and casita is designed to mirror and complement the natural opulence of the Sonoran Desert. Room amenities include Cable TV, Custom Bath Amenities, Flat Screen TV, Free Local Calls, Free WiFi, Hair dryer, High Speed Internet Access, Ipod Docking Station, Ironing Board, Pillowtop Mattress, Compact Refrigerator, Robes, and Complimentary Signature Coffee/Tea Service.

“We stayed in a catalina room and it was fabulous. Large quiet room – immaculate and comfortable. Huge bathroom, large closet area, roomy patio. Twice a day service was thoughtful so you felt your needs were anticipated. Nightly live music was also fun. The grounds were beautifully landscaped and groomed perfectly. The resort excelled in comfort, cleanliness and service.” -Gene P.

While every Escape Adventure trip is designed to appeal to active adventure seekers, and in many cases, particular skill levels, there is always a different idea of what that exactly means. That is why we have designed the chart below to help make sure you join the proper tour. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companions’ may differ as well. We present a range of mileage options on each tour as well as provide support vehicles as much as possible. That way you can take a break and do as little or as much as you would like each day.

Find out more about Choosing a Tour .

All-Inclusive Prices

All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of your tour. This means from the time we pick you up at our meeting point, until we drop you back off to head home, all transportation, food preparation, meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.) are included. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging) are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s). Trip price does not include airfare, lodging prior to trip start or bicycle rental and/or camping gear (if on a camping tour) unless otherwise noted on itinerary or website.

Also Included on This Tour:

Free with every tour.

When you join an Escape Adventures tour in 2024, you will receive a FREE custom sublimated Limited Edition Jersey!

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle free on tour. On every road bike tour, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our bikes meet our high standards. All of our bikes are equipped with carbon fiber frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have e-bikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.

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NiteRider Lumina Micro 650 and Sabre 80 Combo

Specialized Roubaix Disc (Included)

Specialized has perfected the road bike. Ride confidently and comfortably for longer distances on any of our trips around the world. All of our bikes are equipped with the latest components and our 2019 models include disc brakes.

Specialized Sirrus Hybrid (Included)

Specialized hybrid bikes are the most comfortable bikes available. Our most popular bike for multi-sport and moderate road bike tours is the proven Sirrus. This bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. This bike sits upright, is equipped with a very comfortable seat, and the gearing has a wide range of speeds.

Specialized Tero Hybrid E-Bike (Included)

For those of you who have always wanted to join a bike tour but feared your fitness would hold you or the group back, fear no more. Our incredible e-bike option allows you to do more, go twice as fast and far. The all new Specialized Turbo has one goal and one goal only—to inspire you to get out, get moving, and to have some fun along the way. E-bike available on most casual and luxury inn trips for an additional price.

Specialized Turbo Creo E-Bike ($100/day)

Take a deep breath, turn on the power and enjoy a beautiful adventure on the all new Escape Adventure’s Electric Road Bike. The new road e-bike from Escape Adventures now allows you to travel further distances and explore new areas. The pedal assisted technology also allows beginner and novice riders to join in on more challenging routes and terrain.

Why travel with Escape Adventures?

Our commitment to you.

For over 25 years, the hallmark of an Escape Adventures tour is personalized, hands-on service. Before, during, and after each trip. We are a company of honesty and integrity and we stand behind our product 100%. From the moment you learn of our trips, to the time you return home and start planning your next trip, we are here to bring you the best possible experience. From our Guaranteed Trip Departure Confirmation Policy, making sure your trip is never cancelled*, to our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Policy, backing the unrivaled consistent quality of all our tours, our commitment to you is never compromised.  * Scheduled Domestic trips only.

Our Commitment to the Environment

Our environmental commitment is second to none. We run our tours the same way we run our company, with an eye on the triple bottom line: People, Profit & Planet. At Escape Adventures, we elected to pursue a more comprehensive approach to actually reduce our carbon footprint, rather than just offset it. We overhauled our entire operation — from our vehicles, to our buildings, to our procedures — to become an outdoor industry leader in the charge to help our people and our planet.

Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides

Leading tours naturally followed from our passion of exploring our favorite places with our friends. Our support staff includes our reservation team who is there to answer your questions about the tours, our service team who prepares your bike and gear for the tour, and our guide team – the ones who take you into the great outdoors. The highest level of responsibility, good nature, integrity, and dedication are standard traits of all those who work at Escape Adventures. We our proud of it and we think you should know it.

The Best Support Vehicles

Having custom-made vehicles allows us to take you to places few other outfitters can, or will go. Every Escape Adventures tour is accompanied by at least one support vehicle, trailer, and in some cases a second and third transfer van. After purchase, we custom engineer our trucks, vans, and trailers by our on-staff mechanic to meet the unique needs of different tours. For example, certain vehicles are specifically designed for the Canyonlands region of Utah, while others are designed for The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Each of our Trip Leaders is required to be trained in safe vehicle operation, 4X4 driving, and basic maintenance. Our experienced Trip Leaders make it look easy, transporting you and up to 12 guests, along with their bikes, fresh food, gear and plenty of drinking water to any location.

The Best Bicycles and Gear

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle-free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our high standards. All of our bikes are equipped carbon fiber frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have ebikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.

The Best Food

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food represents a big part of the Escape Adventures experience. On our inn tours most dinners and breakfasts unfold at local favorite restaurants. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you’re enjoying a ride. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat!  An increasing number of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we not only accommodate but also pleasantly surprise. Should you possess special diet requirements and/or limitations, just let us know at sign-up. We’ll work with you to meet those critical needs.

Scheduled Departure Dates

September 2024, october 2024, private & custom tours.

The idea of taking your friends or family somewhere cool and amazing is actually pretty easy. Tell us what you’re thinking. We’ll make it happen.

Any trip in this catalog, any specific time frame, any group size, we can custom-fit if not comfortably accommodate. A Custom and Private Escape Adventures trip affords the ultimate bonding, or team-building experience for:

• Clubs and co-workers
• Family reunions
• Corporate retreats

To shape a Custom or Private Trip, we begin a dialogue: first, to develop a group specific itinerary, tailored to respective abilities and preferred tempo. Next we schedule, bookmarking and working in your optimum or ideal getaway dates. Size-wise, we can build a multi-day trip for as few as two people, scaled up to as many as 30 plus. Contact us today to start the custom trip building process.

Rates on Private and Custom Departures:

All Private Escape Adventures Trips are priced in the structured method below. Some Custom tours are priced differently if they vary  from the Classic Escape Adventures itinerary and price.  In this situation we will provide your group with a custom itinerary and price.

• 10+ GUESTS  Price as advertised*
• 8-9 GUESTS  +$400 per person to trip price*
• 6-7 GUESTS  +$900 per person to trip price*
• 4-5 GUESTS  +$1,900 per person to trip price*
• 2-3 GUESTS  +$2,500 per person to trip price*

* Pricing, availability and guest minimums are all subject to change at any time. Certain dates have a minimum number of guests required, please contact us for details. All private tours on The White Rim must meet a 13 person paid minimum. All private tours on The Maze must meet a 7 person paid minimum.

Tour Photos

Similar tours.

BRYCE, ZION, & GRAND CANYON ROAD BIKE TOUR

ESCALANTE & CAPITOL REEF ROAD BIKE TOUR

NEW MEXICO ROAD BIKE TOUR

A word from our founders.

For those who have yet to tour with us, we appreciate the opportunity to introduce you to our family-run company and guiding principles of sustainability and adventure. Our portfolio specializes in Western North America and is rapidly growing internationally. Building on over 100 destinations, we cater to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first-timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, on behalf of our Escape Adventures family, we look forward to many new and exciting adventures with you.

With much gratitude, and happy trails,

Jared and Heather Fisher

Founders and Owner-Operators Escape Adventures

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11 Best Arizona Bike Trails for Every Type of Cyclist

Explore the best Arizona bike trails in this comprehensive guide. Uncover scenic routes and tips for biking in the heart of the Southwest. Dive into the beauty of Arizona on two wheels!

Arizona is home to some of my all-time favorite riding. As a mountain biker at heart, I’ve ridden the world-class singletrack in Sedona, Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott, and more.

But Arizona bike trails aren’t just for mountain bikers. There are incredible road rides (hello Mt. Lemmon), epic bikepacking adventures (I’m still working up to the 800-mile Arizona Trail), and scenic bike paths that pass through some of Arizona’s most magical landscapes.

So whether you’re setting your sights on climbing the legendary Mt. Lemmon Highway outside of Tuscon or exploring the red dirt mountain bike trails of Sedona, this post explores all of the best two-wheeled riding across the state.

Let’s ride!

mountain biking trails

I think any mountain biker who has really explored the singletrack trails around Arizona can agree that it’s one of the best states for mountain biking .

From the red rock of Sedona to the cacti-lined trails of Phoenix to the unique rock formations riding around Prescott, Arizona is a must-ride destination for any avid singletrack seeker.

1. Sedona, Arizona

Why mountain bike in Sedona?

• Incredible views
• Challenging and technical terrain
• Red slickrock riding
• Hundreds of miles of trail
• Lots of post-ride activities
• Vortex vibes

Sedona, Arizona is hands-down one of my favorite places to mountain bike. I love the incredible views, the unique red rock riding, the challenging terrain, and, of course, the vortex vibes.

It’s a place I’d happily visit year after year, and honestly, the Village of Oak Creek just south of Sedona is a mountain biking town I’d consider moving to because the riding is that good.

One thing to note about Sedona, though, is that it’s not exactly a beginner-friendly place for mountain biking. If you want to explore mellower trails in Sedona, I recommend hiring a guide .

Sedona Mountain Biking Posts

2. phoenix, arizona.

Why mountain bike in Phoenix?

• Beautiful desert vegetation
• Cool rock formations to play on
• Almost limitless singletrack
• Nice camping options
• Dozens of networks to ride
• Perfect winter retreat

Phoenix is another of my favorite places to mountain bike in Arizona. It’s a lot more cross-country than Sedona, but I really enjoy the long pedals and beautiful desert landscapes.

From the rocky tech on South Mountain to the fast and smooth singletrack at Brown’s Ranch , there are literally hundreds of miles of trails around this desert metropolis – some even right in the city.

You’d need weeks to explore all the mountain bike trails around Phoenix , but the nice thing is that it’s a perfect winter escape if you’re craving some singletrack and warm sunshine in the depths of winter.

Phoenix Mountain Biking Posts

3. prescott, arizona.

Why mountain bike in Prescott?

• Cooler temperatures in the summer
• Unique terrain around Watson Lake
• Forested trails (not desert)
• Funky downtown
• Ditch the crowds of Sedona
• Local’s vibe

I’ve only mountain biked in Prescott once, but it left an impression on me and I’m excited to get back to explore further. Unlike a lot of the other desert singletrack trails in Arizona, Prescott is up in the conifer forests and aspen groves, so it’s not your stereotypical Arizona hot and dry biking.

The trails that I rode were beautiful and the singletrack networks felt well-built and maintained.

It also feels like Prescott is still kinda under the radar when it comes to mountain biking, so it’s got a local’s vibe, which is getting harder and harder to find.

Looking for more great singletrack? Check out my top picks for awesome Arizona mountain biking destinations .

4. Tucson, Arizona

Why mountain bike in Tucson?

• Great winter retreat
• Unique trail networks
• Pedal among the Saguaro
• Technical terrain on Mt. Lemmon
• Quieter than Sedona & Phoenix
• Rock slab riding in Catalina SP

Tuscon is the fourth and final mountain bike destination along the corridor between Prescott and the Mexico border.

While I don’t love the mountain biking in Tucson quite as much as I do Phoenix and Sedona, it still has some great singletrack trails, particularly in Catalina State Park.

One of my all-time favorite trails is the Full Lemmon Drop . It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re up for an all-day adventure with some very technical riding, it’s a must-ride for sure.

Tucson Mountain Biking Posts

Road biking routes.

Arizona has historically been a go-to place for road riders in the winter. As gravel biking has exploded, it’s also become a great place to explore the remote fire roads that crisscross the state.

Admittedly, I’m not as familiar with the gravel and road routes in Arizona as I am with the singletrack trails, but here are the top contenders for the best routes and rides.

5. Gates Pass McCain Loop, Tucson

Why ride the Gates Pass McCain Loop?

• Pass through Old Tucson
• Stop at the Desert Museum
• Lots of ways to modify it
• Good mix of hills and flat stretches

The Gates Pass McCain Loop road ride is a popular route on the west side of Tucson. It passes by Old Tucson where you can get a glimpse of the “Old West” before looping around Brown Mountain and the southern border of Saguaro National Park.

Depending on where you start, the ride can be anywhere from 20-40 miles and has a few moderate climbs and a fast, descent. I recommend riding the lollipop clockwise.

If you want to learn more about the landscape you’re riding through, stop at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum .

>> Get the GPX file and route information

6. Queen Creek Wash Trail, Phoenix

Why pedal the Queen Creek Wash Trail?

• Escape the hustle of Phoenix life
• Easily done in a few hours
• Mostly flat
• Make it a loop via the Sonoqui Wash Trail

The Queen Creek Wash Trail is a relatively short 11-mile round-trip paved path within the Queen Creek neighborhood of southeast Phoenix.

But despite being an urban trail, the Queen Creek Wash actually feels pretty secluded and far from urban life.

It parallels a dry wash and passes through several open spaces, making it feel more like a nature preserve instead of a city park.

You can also make this ride a loop via the Sonoqui Wash Trail, which runs parallel to the Queen Creek Wash Trail.

>> Learn more about the Queen Creek Wash Trail

Bike Path & Rail Trail Gear Favorites

Below are a few of my favorite pieces of biking and recommendations for your bike path and rail trail adventures:

7. The Loop, Tucson

Why ride The Loop?

• 50+ miles of car-free pedaling
• Numerous ways to modify your route
• Great art & stops along the loop

“The Loop” is a 53+ mile paved cycling route in Tucson, Arizona that is completely car-free.

It’s actually part of a larger 131-mile paved route system that threads its way through the city and connects parks, restaurants, art installations, shopping areas, and more. How cool is that?! There are multiple trail access points and parking areas along the route.

I highly recommend taking the Aviation Bikeway detour from downtown Tucson so you can pedal over the Rattlesnake Bridge.

The trail system also extends north into the beautiful Oro Valley and the Catalina Mountains, making Tucson one of the best road cycling cities in the southwest.

>> Learn more about “The Loop” in Tucson

Epic Bike Rides of The Americas

Looking for more amazing Arizona bike trails? I highly recommend grabbing Epic Bike Rides of the Americas for inspiration. It’s a great coffee table book. Browse through it on rainy days or during the long, cold winters to find your next two-wheeled adventure.

Where to shop:

8. Mt. Lemmon Highway, Tucson

Why pedal up Mt. Lemmon?

• Challenge yourself
• Nice wide shoulder
• Amazing views
• Bomber descent

One of the most famous Arizona road cycling routes is the Mt. Lemmon Highway in Tucson. This beast of a ride starts at around 2,557 feet at the base of Mt. Lemmon (which I’ve mountain bike down ) and steadily climbs up, and up, and up for over 22 miles on a wide shoulder to the small community of Summerhaven at the top.

It’s a big day with about 7,000 ft of climbing, but it’s definitely a must-ride for many cyclists visiting Tucson.

Bikepacking & Touring Adventures

If you enjoy a bit of adventure, I highly recommend planning an overnight or multi-day trip along one of these longer-distance Arizona bike trails.

Personally, bikepacking is my favorite way to travel because you really get to see, explore, and experience everything that the Grand Canyon State has to offer.

9. The Black Canyon Trail

Why bikepack the Black Canyon Trail?

• Super fun singletrack
• Pedal among the Saguaro cacti
• Relatively easy 2-night adventure
• Downhill ‘trending’
• Pie at Rock Springs Cafe
• Beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape

The Black Canyon Trail is a stunning 60+-mile stretch of singletrack that runs from just outside Prescott, Arizona down to Phoenix. Some (crazy) mountain bikers do this in a day, but it’s more often completed as a 2-3 day bikepacking route through the Sonoran desert.

I rode the Black Canyon Trail as a two-night bikepacking trip with a friend and absolutely loved it.

The route traverses through some amazing desert landscapes filled with saguaro forests, rugged canyons, open plains, and stunning ridgelines.

There are also shorter sections of the Black Canyon Trail that make for a great out-and-back mountain bike ride.

10. The AZT (Arizona Trail)

Why bikepack the Arizona Trail?

• Bike the length of Arizona
• Hike through the Grand Canyon
• Challenge yourself physically & mentally
• Spend 3+ weeks in the desert

The AZT – or the Arizona Trail – is perhaps the most epic of all Arizona’s trails. Stretching from the Utah border north of Flagstaff all the way down to the Mexico border south of Tucson, the AZT covers over 800 miles of singletrack and doubletrack trails.

Along the way, riders traverse through a huge variety of terrain from mountain passes to desert landscapes and even a 24-mile hike across Grand Canyon National Park (bikes must be dissembled and carried!).

It’s a trip that has been on my mind, but it sounds… daunting. I’m hoping to do the entire thing one day!

>> Learn more: Bikepacking the AZT

11. The Sky Islands Odyssey

The Sky Islands Odyssey bikepacking route starts in the small southern Arizona town of Patagonia about an hour’s drive south of Tucson. The Sky Islands are named for a series of forested mountain ranges surrounded by lowland desert and grassland.

The Odyssey circumnavigates one of these Sky Islands – the Santa Rita Mountains.

Riders can choose to do the entire 230-mile loop or one of the two smaller East or West loops.

Whichever route you choose, you’re sure to enjoy stunning and ever-changing scenery, wildlife sightings (including jaguars!), Native American culture, and so much more. I haven’t done this trip myself, but it’s been on my bike-it list for a while.

>> Learn more: Sky Islands Odyessy (West Loop) and Sky Islands Odyessy (East Loop)

Final thoughts On Arizona Bike trails

These 11 paths and trails are just a handful of all the awesome biking opportunities found throughout Arizona.

Whether you’re an avid mountain biker, a roadie, a gravel grinder, or you’re looking to set out on a multi-day bikepacking or touring trip, I hope these ideas will help you plan an awesome trip to this beautiful part of the world.

Looking for more ‘best’ bike trails in the west? Check out these related posts:

• Best Bike Trails in California
• Best Utah Bike Trail
• Best Mammoth Lakes Bike Trails

What are your favorite Arizona bike trails? Have you ridden any of the ones listed above? Let me know in the comments!

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Becky is the creator and founder of the bike blog Two Wheeled Wanderer. She's been riding bikes and traveling the world since she was a kid and likes nothing more than enjoying some flowy singletrack or embarking on a multi-day bikepacking adventure. When she's not blogging, Becky is a Level 1 PMBIA-certified mountain bike coach and coaches with Ladies AllRide.

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Road Cycling Routes in Arizona

Road cycling

In this guide, we’ve reviewed our full collection of road biking routes in Arizona to bring you the best rides in the region. To find the one which is right for you, click on any of the Tours to see a full breakdown of its details including elevation profiles and surface analyses, and browse real tips and photos shared by other members of the Komoot community.

The best rides in Arizona

Mcdowell mountain loop — scottsdale, arizona, mount suappoa via phoenix sonoran bikeway — south mountain park & preserve.

Let us show you the way with the komoot mobile app

Buena vista lookout & mount suappoa loop — south mountain park & preserve, bartlett reservoir via bartlett dam road — tonto national forest, ahwatukee foothills loop — phoenix, arizona, paradise valley loop via sun circle trail, canyon lake & tortilla flat via apache trail, phoenix mountains preserve & papago park loop — phoenix, arizona, prescott to skull valley via kirkland loop — prescott national forest, phoenix sonoran preserve loop, explore these rides on the map.

Our Tour recommendations are based on thousands of activities completed by other people on komoot.

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Explore the most popular tours in arizona, discover the most popular attractions in arizona.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out more Road Cycling Routes throughout Arizona below and find the perfect Tour in your destination.

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Tour the Desert

Unlike other most of the northern hemisphere, winter marks the beginning of Arizona’s outdoor season. Explore the desert in a new way with a local guide.

Rent and Go

Bike, paddle, or camp your way across the desert with gear rentals available at REI’s Arizona Adventure Center. Choose from upgrades like trailhead or hotel delivery.

All Options to Explore Arizona

Rent a bike, rei adventure center rentals.

Rent a bike from the Adventure Center’s fleet of over 400 road, mountain, or hybrid bikes and the staff will help you plan your perfect route. Choose from protected paved paths through town, coursing roads with spacious bike lanes, or winding singletrack trails. Optional upgrades make your ride as simple as possible including hotel delivery, private residence delivery, trailhead delivery, rental car racks, and “tag-alongs” so the whole family can ride together.

REI Store Rentals

The REI stores in Paradise Valley and Chandler, Arizona offer a small selection of on-site bike rentals. These fleets are limited in quantity and style but may be of greater convenience depending on where you are located.

Chandler Store Rentals

• Bike Rental Fleet: Co-op Cycles DRT mountain bikes
• Store Details : see store page

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• Bike Rental Fleet: Co-op Cycles CTY casual bikes

Take a Guided Tour

Get outside with REI Co-op Experiences in Arizona! REI’s half-day guided tours are the perfect way to get out and explore. Learn all about the wildlife and unique flora that thrive in the Arizona desert and get answers to those questions that have been nagging at you like, “Can you drink from a cactus?” All of REI’s guided day tours in Arizona are designed to accommodate a range of skill levels.

Join an Outdoor Class

Learn and explore with REI’s outdoor instructors. Try something new, level up an existing skill, or discover hidden gems in your own backyard. With options like intro to mountain biking or kayaking, map & compass navigation, or how to ride a bike for kids, REI’s outdoor classes help people of all ages and skill levels get the support they need to adventure deeper.

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SCENIC DESERT AND CITY TOURS OF PHOENIX AND SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA

Combining comfort and ease with adventure and excitement!

Journey Arizona specializes in on and off-road electric bike tours in and around the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. Guests enjoy beautiful scenic trails through central Arizona's most unique desert terrain. Get the workout of your choice, a relaxing ride or a little of both. What are you waiting for? Give us a call and book your adventure today!

All Journey Arizona Tours Include...

Informative and educational narration about the Sonoran deserts flora, fauna, history of native cultures, geology and much more from a knowledgable interpretive guide.

Hands-on demonstration of desert survival skills, gathering and preparation of edible and medicinal plants.

Check us out on Trip Advisor...

5* “If you only do one tour in your life this is the one!"

5*  “Highly recommended!"

5* “BEST TOUR EVER!!!”

Important Information

Reservations required.

Please call for tour times, availability and tour locations.

All participants must complete Journey Arizona's 5-Minute E-Bike Orientation.

Basic bike skills required (balancing, braking, pedaling and shifting gears).

All tours subject to weather and trail conditions.

Weight limit is 250 pounds.

Small cameras and cases recommended.

Tax and guide gratuity not included.

We accept all major forms of payment.

Water, snacks and photos included.

Custom tours and electric bike demos available upon request.

GRAVEL GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Arizona your winter getaway, montana summer in paradise, women's ride together, spain trip of a lifetime, italy enjoy the culture.

With a crew of passionate guides, incredibly healthy food, and an insiders’ knowledge of the world’s best cycling destinations, The Cycling House creates a vacation-style getaway that you can’t find anywhere else. We live by a “we take care of everything” approach and a welcome-to-the-family vibe that is sure to re-light the fire in any cyclist.

Featured Trips

Montana gravel – luxury ranch, girona road, glacier national park, the cycling house experience.

We started The Cycling House in 2005 to provide cyclists a sunny home away from home in Tucson during the winter months. Born from a passion for exploring the world on two wheels, we’ve since expanded to include trips throughout the U.S.—including our home base of Montana—Spain, and Italy.

GUEST REVIEWS

From the blog, montana family fun, montana summer camp vibes by linsey corbin, @cyclinghouse.

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RIDE HARD. EAT WELL. ENJOY GREAT BEER.

We offer a bicycle touring experience that focuses on outstanding rides finishing with great beers, both featuring the best of the Pacific Northwest and Arizona. 

CAMARADERIE, NOT COMPETITION

All aspects of our tours are centered on camaraderie, not competition. 

No planning required, just riding, and enjoying the experience. Everything else is taken care of.

Ride hard. Eat well. Enjoy great beer.

MAXIMIZE YOUR CARBONATED NEUTRAL FOOTPRINT

Interesting Daily Routes

Managed Logistics

All you need to do is show up ready to have a great experience. We take care of all the details of planning rides, meals, and accommodations. Tours limited to a maximum of 10 riders to provide a more personalized experience.

Daily Schedule

Our starting times are designed to allow for leisurely breakfasts yet allow enough time to complete a great ride while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy other activities on your own prior to our nightly dinner.

CRAFT CYCLING MERCH, RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

2024 merchandise is available.

READY TO TOUR?

Call: 480-524-0808 m-f: 7am - 6pm pst, [email protected].

Ride Hard. Eat Well. Enjoy Great Beer.

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THE 10 BEST Phoenix Bike Tours

Bike tours in phoenix.

• Golf Courses
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• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Gear Rentals
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Hole in the Rock
• Old Town Scottsdale
• Hunt's Tomb
• Camelback Mountain
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 2.5 Hour FAT Tire E-Bike Tour – Scottsdale Greenbelt Adventure

2. Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour - 2.5 Hours

3. Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale

4. Scottsdale Greenbelt E-Bike 20 Mile Ride

5. Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour: 2 Hours

6. Hole in the Rock Hike & Bike

7. Party Bike Private Party Up To 14 People in Old Town Scottsdale

8. Pedal Bar Crawl Tour of Downtown Phoenix

9. Party Bike Private Party Up To 14 People in Downtown Phoenix

10. Phoenix Sonoran Preserve E-Bike Guided Experience

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour

2-Hour Arizona Desert Guided E-Bike Tour

Exclusive: Happy Cactus Tour to Apache Trail & Superstition Mtn

Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour

3 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Mountain Bike Tour

Downtown Gilbert Food Tour

2 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Mountain Bike Tour

1-2 Hour Jewel of the Creek Private Guided Hiking Tour

1.5 HR MTB-FAMILIES! GUYS TRIP! GIRLS WKND! Fun, custom -PRIVATE

Scottsdale Parks System 15 Mile Ride

Explore Chandler with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers

Half-Day Scottsdale Mountain Bike Tour

Scottsdale's Evening Dine Around

Scottsdale Puzzling Adventure

Tempe Puzzling Adventure

Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Scottsdale by 3Quest Challenge

Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Scottsdale by Wacky Walks

Scottsdale Family Fun: Art, Shops & Scenic Strolls

1/2 Day Mountain bike-ENJOY THE RIDE or SHRED it. Sonoran Desert.

1.5 hr SOLO -Private- Customized for you MTB tour Sonoran Desert.

What travelers are saying.

• 2.5 Hour FAT Tire E-Bike Tour – Scottsdale Greenbelt Adventure
• Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale
• Scottsdale Greenbelt E-Bike 20 Mile Ride
• Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour: 2 Hours
• Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour - 2.5 Hours
• Arizona "ING" Tours
• Arizona Party Bike
• E-migos Electric Mountain Bike Tours
• MAX CONSULTZ
• Dirtbag Adventures AZ

Arizona’s Sunshine & Saguaros Bike Tour

Winter gravel riding in tucson & patagonia, arizona.

Already boasting some of the best road riding in the country, Arizona has quietly emerged as a top gravel riding destination in the United States. You will spend six wonderful days riding some of the best routes the state has to offer on this Tucson winter bike tour. You’ll quickly realize why this is a top cycling destination and gravel riders paradise.  

The first two days of the trip will be in bike friendly Tucson where you will explore the Desert Museum and see some of the local wildlife and birds of prey that call Arizona home. You will also pedal among saguaro cacti as you ride the iconic Cactus Loop drive. Saguaros are found exclusively in the Sonoran desert so savor this ride! 

We then head south to Patagonia. This quaint little wild west town will be our hub for the next three nights. Here you will experience what makes this region so special for gravel riders. Nestled about 20 miles north of the Mexican border in what’s known as the Sky Islands area, Patagonia boasts hundreds of miles of gravel trails. The area is becoming home to a thriving gravel scene as well as local wineries and a few breweries. While here we will be able to explore over 120 miles of mostly traffic free gravel routes. We’ll also enjoy a guided bird watching tour and enjoy wine tasting at a local favorite winery. 

Gravel Miles

At first glance, it may seem like relatively low daily mileage compared to our rail-trail or road bike tours. However, gravel miles pack a bit more of a punch than expected. The unpredictable nature of gravel combined with climbing in the mountains can be slower, and time-wise equals out to about 2-3 times a road or rail-trail mile.  Even with some of the shortest ride days on this trip, you’ll end the day feeling accomplished and ready for some time out of the saddle.

From epic gravel routes with short punchy climbs to longer sustained climbs and fast flats with jaw dropping vistas to some road riding surrounded by the iconic saguaro cactus, you can expect a little of everything on this unique tour. 

This tour takes place on gravel roads with varied surfaces and we recommend registering for this trip if you are an experienced rider. It is not recommended for beginner riders and is not designed to replicate rail-trail tours. We’re happy to talk about the tour details and answer any questions.

* Bike requirements:   A gravel bike (a drop-bar bike with wide, grippy tires) with wide 700×40 or 650×47 tires is strongly recommended. (Highly experienced gravel riders could ride a 700×35, but this is the absolute minimum tire width.). A tubeless tire set up is also highly recommended. If you do not have tubeless, please bring multiple spare tubes or ask about renting a gravel bike suitable for this tour.

Tour Highlights

Desert Museum

Saguaro East National Park

Cactus Forest Loop Drive

Bird Watching Tour

Adventurous Gravel Roads

Award Winning Local Winery

Lodging Options

Hacienda Del Sol - Tucson

Stage Stop Inn - Patagonia

Day 1 : After a local hotel pick-up, we shuttle to the Desert Museum where you’ll get the first taste of desert life. Here you can see native wildlife and flowers. You don’t want to miss the birds of prey demonstration! After exploring the museum our ride starts from the parking lot and heads out on the McCain loop, named after Senator John McCain. Then, you’ll get the first taste of gravel as we ride the Bajada Loop Drive to a picnic lunch. Here there is an optional short hike to the largest petroglyph site in the Tucson Mountain district of Saguaro National Park. Following lunch we have a few more miles until the ride ends at the national park visitor center. You can expect 40% gravel surface. From the visitor center we shuttle to the award winning Hacienda Del Sol, our lodging for the next two nights. Dinner will be as a group at the hotel. 

Day 2 : The second day starts out with a great breakfast at the hotel restaurant before we have a short shuttle to the ride start. Today’s ride begins and ends at the San Lucas Community Park, highlighted by the quiet beauty of the desert and mostly traffic free roads. We start to increase the gravel and decrease the road riding so you will have about 85% gravel today. Following the ride, we will enjoy another picnic lunch and shuttle back to the Hacienda Del Sol where you’ll be able to take a dip in the pool or relax in the hot tub. Take some time to wander the grounds and discover the sculptures, painting, pottery and history of the resort. Dinner will be on your own tonight and a shuttle will be provided to a local favorite area. 

Day 3 : The day begins with a short shuttle to an iconic breakfast spot where you are going to see many cyclists fueling up for their trek up the icon Mt. Lemmon. After a hearty cyclists breakfast, we begin pedaling towards Saguaro East National Park where you will get up close to the impressive saguaro cacti as we ride the famous Cactus Loop Drive, an eight mile paved road within the park. We will add in a couple gravel detours along the route so you’ll see the wonderful desert landscape from an uncommon viewpoint. Following a picnic lunch in the park, we’ll shuttle to the Stage Stop Inn in Patagonia, the gravel hotspot and our hub for the next three nights. The historic Stage Stop Inn has maintained a wild west feel from the days of hosting John Wayne along with his cast and crew during the filming of many westerns in the region. After arriving in Patagonia you’ll be able to wander the small town, relax or get some extra miles on an optional ride up Temporal Canyon. Dinner will be at the hotel tonight. 

Day 4 : Patagonia, besides being a mecca for gravel riding, is world famous for birding. We start the day with a delicious breakfast from a local favorite cafe followed by a short shuttle to beautiful Patagonia Lake for a guided bird watching tour. Following the tour you will get to truly experience the beauty and challenge of gravel riding in Patagonia. The ride, which might just be the most difficult of the week, is 99% on gravel and takes you to the ghost town of Alto and to the Alto Ruins, the only remains left of the town. Following the ride you will have time to explore the Paton center for hummingbirds, where, along with hummingbirds, 212 bird species have been reported,  wander the quaint town of Patagonia, or relax poolside with a cool refreshment.

Day 5 : Another delightfully challenging ride lays ahead as we face plenty of rolling hills accompanied by great views of the Patagonia and Mustang mountains as well as the San Rafael State Natural area. Your reward today is a wine tasting at the beautiful state of the art wine making facility and tasting room at Los Milics Vineyards where Pavle and Ita have brought their passion for wine to the Sonoita region. Following the tasting we will shuttle back to the Stage Stop where you’ll have time to relax before our last dinner as a group. 

Day 6 : We end the week with another epic ride, this time around Harshaw Canyon. This beautiful and moderately challenging ride will start right from our hotel and reward you with great views and quiet gravel roads as we traverse through the San Rafael Nature Area before ending back at the hotel in time for lunch. It’s not uncommon to be the only ones on the routes today. Following the ride, we shuttle back to Tucson and say our farewells. . 

Trip Information – Details Coming Soon!

Trip Length - Days

Tour Rating Experienced

**in the ’24 catalog this tour was rated a 3, this is the more accurate rating..

Daily Mileage

Check In Location

Support & Gear Vehicle

Minimum Age

5 Breakfasts | 5 Lunches | 4 Dinners

2024 Pricing

PP Double Occupancy

Single Supplement*

Bike Rental

*This is required if you are traveling solo or if you are traveling with someone but require separate beds.

RESERVE ONLINE BY DATE

Select your departure date and click to reserve your bike tour!

February 4, 2024

October 13, 2024

Call 800-272-4141

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Arizona Bicycle Tours

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• Awesome bike ride through the east side of Saguaro National Park
• Visit Arizona’s oldest Spanish mission site and its Franciscan church
• Experiencer ide through Tucson to Hacienda del Sol or opt for the van shuttle and enjoy time by the pool or indulging in a spa treatment
• Visit the highly regarded Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring more than 300 animal species

What's this trip about?

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Travel themes.

• Cycling & Biking
• Transformative

Destinations

• North America
• United States

Attractions

• Bird watching
• Homestays & Cultural Immersion
• Wine Tasting

Trip includes

• Group transfer from/to Tucson airport at tour start/end.
• A visit to and rides through impressive Saguaro National Park.
• Explore the natural outdoor setting of the respected Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
• Wine tasting and tour at Arizona's historic family winery.
• Swimming pools at all accommodations.
• Options for spa services and golf on several days.

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Accommodation: Hacienda del Sol

Cycling Options: 29, 37, or 48+

Accommodation: Stage Stop Inn Patagonia

Accommodation: Tubac Spa & Golf Resort Tubac

Accommodation: Tubac Spa & Golf Resort

Following breakfast this morning at Tubac Golf Resort, your leaders will transfer you to the airport in Tucson. Arrival time at the airport is 10:00am and, as such, we suggest your flight reservations be planned for departure after 11:00am.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations Reviews & Ratings

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My husband and I booked a trip over a year ago with Sojourn for one specific reason, we were able to drive there and not have to take a plane. We have a doctors note...

exceeded our expectations

The trip and our guides exceeded our expectations. We'll do several more trips with Sojourn.

fabulous bicycling trip!

This was a fabulous bicycling trip! So much away from traffic, got to ride on Sunday vs. just being fitted and riding around the block, and a small group. Tuesday l...

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Tour operator, sojourn bicycling & active vacations.

Why Sojourn

Experience The Good Life, By Bike

Sojourn is recognized for crafting incomparable bicycling and active vacations through hands-on attention to detail. Our incomparable personalized service and dedication to every aspect of your vacation ensures you an extraordinary experience with plenty of room for spontaneity.

Why Sojourn? Because you appreciate the unique experiences and consistent service only found with a specialty operator. Because you want to be certain that every detail has been attended to so you can simply relax and enjoy each moment. Warning: enjoying the good life, by bike can be habit-forming.

Over 70% of our travelers have either vacationed with us before or been referred by someone who has. We're proud of these noteworthy statistics earned through unfailing attention to detail and an incomparable level of service.

Whether you’re returning to join us again or are a first-time traveler, everyone at Sojourn is committed to making your trip extraordinary.

The legendary service and joie de vivre of Sojourn tour leaders are the proverbial icing on the cake. Their engaging spirit and seamless organization ensure a carefree vacation for you.

Join us for your next vacation and immerse yourself in intoxicating fun, meet captivating new friends, and discover a delightful way to travel.

Distinctive Lodging

From a lovely island inn and spa, to a renowned wine country estate — our carefully selected lodging partners provide an exceptional experience that complements your vacation and immersion in a region.

Madrona Manor

Nestled in the hills above the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County, Madrona Manor is an exceptionally lovely Victorian estate surrounded by eight acres of wooded and landscaped grounds.

The Mansion, built in 1881, has been a destination for discerning guests seeking a stay in the gracious wine country of northern California since 1981.

World Class Team

Gracious, engaging, and intelligent. Our expert team tour leaders make for exceptional travel companions. Always a step ahead of your desires, they are adept at everything from spinning wrenches to whipping up fabulous picnic lunches or suggesting the perfect wine to pair with your dinner selection. They even have a knack for magically appearing with the support van just as your energy is waning. And, behind every great team is a staff of dedicated professionals attending to every detail, insuring that your vacation flows seamlessly.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip, travel confidently, accommodation.

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Refunds will be processed 30 days following written receipt by Sojourn of notice of cancellation. Cancellation penalties will be calculated based upon the date of receipt of cancellation notification. There is a non-refundable $150 processing fee per person for each cancelled reservation to cover administration and fees incurred by Sojourn. Cancellations 90-61 days prior to tour departure will be charged 30% of the purchase price. Cancellations 60-31 days prior to tour departure will be charged 65% of the purchase price. Cancellations 30-0 days prior to tour departure will be charged 100% of the purchase price. There are no refunds for cancellation after the tour departure date or for no-shows. Sojourn will not refund for any unused portion of your tour. Sojourn will not make exception to these policies for any reason including weather or personal emergencies and as such strongly encourages travel insurance coverage for all travelers

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The 21 Best Arizona Tours

Visit the Grand Canyon, Sedona's red rocks and more on these top-rated excursions.

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Arizona is home to several incredible natural sites and Monument Valley is one must-see attraction.

Whatever draws you to Arizona , these tours – determined by U.S. News to be the best available thanks to traveler input and expert opinion – have something for you. If you're eager to see the Grand Canyon State's desert landscape, there are multiple methods offered, ranging from bicycles and off-road vehicles to hot air balloons and helicopters. If you're interested in more particular aspects of local culture, such as cuisine, wine or supernatural phenomena, there are tours for you, too. What these excursions all have in common is informed guides prepared to provide insights into the state's varied attractions.

Monument Valley Safari – Monument Valley Tour

This trip through Monument Valley takes participants to the valley's famous rock formations, including the Mitten Buttes, Three Sisters and the Totem Pole, as well as the Yei Bi Chei spires. You may recognize some of these landmarks from their numerous appearances in Hollywood Westerns. The 3 ½-hour excursion in off-road vehicles also features a Navajo rug-weaving demonstration and a visit to a traditional Navajo home. Visitors to the photogenic valley typically enjoy learning about its history from the experienced guides. Take note that the Navajo Reservation observes daylight saving time, so there may be a time difference between it and some other parts of Arizona. The approximately 36-mile trip is available to book daily with both morning and afternoon departure times (which vary by season). Tickets start at around $90 for adults and $70 for youths ages 8 to 17. Children 7 and younger can ride for free. Monument Valley Safari also offers more immersive experiences, such as an 18-hour Hunts Mesa tour.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

Apache Trail Tours – One Hour Off-Road Desert Tour

Embark on an exciting off-road adventure on this Sonoran Desert tour, where you'll ride trails dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. As you travel through riverbeds and cross craggy terrain, you'll spot saguaro cacti and desert wildlife like diamondback rattlesnakes. Jeep tours are offered daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tour-takers typically find the drivers/guides both knowledgeable and amusing, and describe the scenery as exceptional. Fees start at $50 for adults and $40 for kids ages 2 to 15. (Children younger than 2 cannot take this tour.) In addition to this 60-minute tour, 90- and 120-minute iterations are also offered. Apache Trail Tours operates out of Goldfield Ghost Town, a recreated Old West boomtown about 40 miles east of Phoenix .

Arizona Winery Tours – Sedona Wine Tour

Visit three Sedona area vineyards on this daylong tour. Wineries visited may include Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery, D.A. Ranch and Page Springs Cellars, among others. Reviewers frequently express appreciation for the guides' knowledge about the specific wineries as well as the history of the surrounding area. Tickets cost approximately $150, which include round-trip transportation to the Sedona/Oak Creek area and transportation between various stops, lunch at one of the wineries, wine tasting fees and snacks. Trips usually occur daily (but may not be available on some weekdays during parts of the year, so be sure to check with Arizona Winery Tours before making your plans). Pickups start at 9 a.m. and outings typically end around 3 p.m. Private tours are also available. All participants must be at least 21 years old and have a photo ID.

Bright Angel Bike Rentals and Tours – Hermit Road Tour

Cycle alongside the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on this family-friendly ride, which winds along on a paved road closed to vehicular traffic. The 5 ½-mile trip features commentary about the sights and the area's history from guides widely deemed friendly and insightful. Prices depend on the size of bicycles used, with ones suitable for adults (or anyone at least 5 feet tall) starting around $75, and bikes for shorter riders running about $55. Bike trailers are available for children ages 2 and older who can't pedal. The fee includes transportation from Bright Angel's location near the canyon's South Rim Visitor Center to the starting point at Hopi Point and back from the journey's end at Hermit's Rest. Tours typically take place from mid-March to mid-October starting at 9 a.m. and last about three hours (including the van rides). The company also offers a guided ride covering a slightly longer distance, as well as bike rentals for those who wish to explore on their own.

Ghost Town Tours – Jerome – The Original Jerome Ghost Adventure

Are ghosts among the residents of Jerome, a former copper mining town? Find out on this 90-minute tour led by guides equipped with ghost-detecting gear. Ghost hunters enjoy the enthusiastic guides and their knowledge of local history as well as all things supernatural on this entertaining excursion. Tours take place daily and depart every two hours starting at 10 a.m.; the last tour departs at 8 p.m. Tickets cost approximately $70 for anyone 18 and older and about $35 for those 17 and younger. Jerome is located about 55 miles southwest of Flagstaff . In addition to Jerome tours, Ghost Town Tours conducts tours in Clarkdale and Cottonwood.

All-Star Grand Canyon Tours – Grand Canyon Day Tour from Flagstaff

This full-day sightseeing trip takes you all the way around the Grand Canyon (weather permitting). Stops include Yavapai Point, site of the Yavapai Observation Station; Mather Point , featuring overlooks atop projecting rocks; Lipan Point, which offers a popular view of the Colorado River; and Desert View, home of its namesake watchtower . The tour also includes a visit to a trading post on the Navajo reservation. Guides win fulsome praise for their insightful commentary. Tickets start at $185 per person (or $100 for children 3 and younger). Prices include transportation and a picnic lunch, which typically takes place at the Tusayan Ruins. In the winter, when it's too cold for a picnic, tickets are discounted and lunch is not included; travelers will be taken to a restaurant for lunch at their own expense. Trips usually start at around 8:30 a.m. and end at about 5 p.m., including the approximately 80-mile drive from and to Flagstaff, and at least five hours in the park. Note that because of COVID-19, only private tours are offered at this time.

Hot Air Expeditions – Shared Morning Balloon Flight

See Phoenix and environs from above on this hot air balloon tour, which reaches altitudes up to 5,000 feet. In addition to the city itself, views include Lake Pleasant and Camelback Mountain as well as Sonoran Desert wildlife like coyotes. Reviewers consistently rave about the unparalleled views of the area, and describe the flight as smooth and the pilots (who double as guides) as informative and skilled. Tours take place every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) starting between 4:30 and 6:30 a.m., depending on the time of year. Flights last about 45 to 60 minutes, but the overall tour can last a few hours as it also includes a catered breakfast and a sparkling wine toast. Prices start around $200 for adults and $150 for anyone ages 5 to 12 or shorter than 4 feet tall. Trips depart from Phoenix's Deer Valley Airport. From November through March, afternoon flights are also available.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 .]

Segway of Scottsdale – 2-Hour Scottsdale Segway Tour

Over the course of about 6 miles, this tour hits dozens of Scottsdale points of interest, including the city's canal system, its row of art galleries, its civic center, a ballpark and multiple pieces of public art. Segway of Scottsdale gives each rider an earpiece so they can always hear guides' commentary, which tour-takers tend to find very informative. Past participants report learning a great deal about the city on this two-hour outing. No previous Segway riding is required. Tickets start at $65 per person, which includes use of the Segway and a helmet. Tours depart daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Riders must be between the ages of 12 and 75. E-bike tours are another option for getting to know Scottsdale.

Kerrick James | Courtesy of Verde Canyon Railroad

Verde Canyon Railroad

Ride in comfort through the ravines and red rock buttes along the Verde River bordering the Coconino and Prescott national forests on this approximately 40-mile, four-hour journey in refurbished, climate-controlled train cars. Each car has large windows for viewing the surrounding scenery and wildlife. Passengers also have access to open-air viewing cars where guides provide expert narration regarding the sights. The cars are equipped with full-service cash bars. Travelers find the views remarkable, and the open-air cars are especially popular. Trips typically depart at 1 p.m. on most days, with additional morning and evening tours during select months of the year. Ticket prices start at $100 per person. Packaged snacks and bottled water are provided. The ride's starting point in Clarkdale, the Verde Canyon Depot, features a cafe, gift shop and small railroad-related museum. It's about 25 miles southwest of Sedona.

Desert Wolf Tours – Half-Day TomCar ATV Tour

Take in Sonoran Desert mountain scenery, as well as former stagecoach trails and Native American ruins on this three-hour tour departing from Phoenix. When the weather allows, rides may also involve river crossings. The tour's namesake TomCar all-terrain vehicles seat four and are equipped with roofs and windshields, which means riders 18 and older do not need to wear helmets. Reviewers say guides are fun, safe and well-versed in the desert flora and fauna. Tours are available daily at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. from mid-September through May. From June through mid-September, tours run at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday only. Rates start at $175 for anyone 12 or older and $109 for those 11 or younger. Drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license. In addition to the ATV rides, prices include some branded souvenirs. Desert Wolf Tours also conducts outings combining ATV adventures and time at a shooting range.

Arizona Outdoor Fun – Centipede Guided Tour

Explore the Sonoran Desert's mountains, canyons and Agua Fria River via the Centipede Trail on this ATV or utility terrain vehicle adventure. The approximately two-hour trip covers 11 miles and features a nearly 2,000-foot change in elevation. Travelers often describe this journey as great fun and the guides as personable and professional. Drivers must be at least 16 years old to operate either single-seat ATVs or multiple-seat UTVs, which can carry between two and five passengers, depending on models used. Tickets cost about $100 for an individual ATV and range from around $200 to $500 for a UTV, depending on the number of passengers. Tours are available multiple times daily year-round (except Christmas). Start times vary by season: Morning departures are available year-round, but afternoon departures are only available seasonally. Other activities offered by New River-based Arizona Outdoor Fun include rifle shooting and hiking. The company's base camp sits about 45 miles north of Phoenix.

Pink Adventure Tours – Ancient Ruin

Learn about the Sinagua people by visiting the ruins of the cliff dwellings they built near Sedona roughly 700 years ago. Sights on this trip to the Honanki Heritage Site include carved petroglyphs, painted pictographs and other artifacts. In addition to describing the lifestyle and farming practices of the Sinagua people, guides point out the red rock formations and other points of interest during the trip in the company's namesake pink vehicles to and from the site. Travelers generally find the guides to be educational and entertaining. Tours depart daily every hour from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., though there may be fewer options during select months. Tickets for the three-hour expedition start at around $109 for adults and $98 for children ages 2 to 12. (Infants younger than 2 are not permitted.) Be prepared for some walking on bumpy dirt paths during this activity. Pink Adventure Tours offers a variety of Jeep excursions in Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Maverick Helicopters – Grand Canyon Spirit Tour

Observe the Painted Desert, Desert View Watchtower, Point Imperial, Marble Canyon and other famed Grand Canyon landmarks as you follow the course of the Colorado River from the South Rim to the North Rim on this approximately 45-minute flight. Recent flyers found the aerial views unsurpassable and the pilots friendly, enthusiastic and insightful. Ticket prices start at $309 per person. Tours typically depart Grand Canyon National Park Airport several times daily, in both the morning and afternoon, but the number of flights and particular start times vary by time of year. Maverick Helicopters also offers a number of other Grand Canyon helicopter tours as well as scenic flights around Las Vegas .

Grand Canyon Adventures – Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour

Spend a day visiting two of Arizona's most iconic landscapes. Marvel at Antelope Canyon , a remarkable slot canyon, in the morning and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's Horseshoe Bend Overlook in the afternoon. In all, this trip includes transportation from and to Flagstaff (roughly two hours each way), about 90 minutes at Antelope Canyon and about an hour at Horseshoe Bend; it may also feature a stop at a Navajo trading post. Tour-takers appreciate the stunning landscapes and the guides' informed commentary. Tours are offered daily starting at around 8 a.m. and conclude at about 5:30 p.m. Tickets typically start at $229 for adults and $199 for children ages 4 to 13; prices include canyon entrance fees, lunch, drinks and snacks. The company also offers guided tours of Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park that depart from Flagstaff.

Arizona Safari Jeep Tours – The Vortex Experience

Visit Sedona's Vortexes – sites believed by some to possess a special mystical, yet palpable energy – on this 2 ½-hour Jeep ride. At each stop, guides share the cultural beliefs associated with the vortexes – a commentary that participants consistently find informative and interesting. The scenery itself also wins high marks. Trips with groups no larger than 15 people take place daily year-round with both morning and evening departures, though specific start times vary with the seasons. Tickets cost approximately $100 for participants 13 and older and $80 for youths ages 5 to 12. (This outing isn't recommended for children younger than 5.) Arizona Safari Jeep Tours also conducts numerous other tours in and around the canyons and rock formations of Sedona.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 .]

Sunset Charter & Tour Co. – Topock Gorge Experience

See Devil's Elbow, Mohave Rock, Praying Indian, Stargazer and other landmarks on this 50-mile pontoon boat ride through Topock Gorge, which is often referred to as a miniature version of the Grand Canyon. The journey along the lower Colorado River also affords opportunities to observe ancient Native American petroglyphs, as well as water fowl and other wildlife. Reviewers appreciate the ample wildlife on display, as well as the captains' astute commentary. From April through September, cruises are offered Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. During these warm weather months, passengers are welcome to swim during the lunch break, so bring a swimsuit if you'd like to take a dip. From October through March, the cruise departs daily at 10 a.m. Tickets cost approximately $145 per person and include a picnic lunch and bottled water. The company also offers sunset cruises on Lake Havasu, as well as tours through Copper Canyon, among other experiences.

Arizona Food Tours – A Taste of Old Scottsdale Food Tour

Sample some of the fare that makes Scottsdale a destination for foodies on this approximately three-hour walking tour. Along the way, you'll stop at up to five eateries in the city's Old Town area for samples of barbecue, gelato, craft beer and Latin cuisine, among other dishes. Samples amount to a full meal and include two alcoholic beverages. Tourgoers enjoy both the tasty offerings and the local history provided by the engaging guides. Tours, which meet at the Old Adobe Mission, are offered daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets start at $75 per person. This tour typically involves a mile or more of walking and is not considered appropriate for anyone younger than 12. At this time, Arizona Food Tours only offers private tours of at least four people (though public tours may resume in the future). A happy hour tour and wine-focused outing are also available.

Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co. – Sunrise Balloon Ride

Watch the sun rise over Phoenix's Sonoran Desert and Deer Valley during this top-rated hot air balloon trip. Riders regularly express enthusiasm about the beautiful desert scenery and the pilots' professionalism. The tour, which is offered daily, lasts up to 3 ½ hours and features 45 to 60 minutes in the air. To ensure participants don't miss a minute of the sunrise, Rainbow Ryders requires riders to arrive early (sometimes as early as 4:30 a.m., depending on the time of year). For late risers, a seasonal sunset tour is available. Tickets cost around $250 for adults and $100 for children 5 to 12. (Children younger than 5 as well as pregnant individuals are not allowed on this trip.)

Desert Belle Cruises – Narration Cruise

Bald eagles, bobcats, bighorn sheep, deer and horses reside in the area around Saguaro Lake and may be glimpsed on this 80-minute cruise. During the boat ride, the captain provides commentary regarding area wildlife, as well as local history and geography. Often exceeding travelers' expectations, this trip is frequently described as great fun by reviewers who find the commentary both humorous and informative. The boat, which features an open-air upper deck and a full cash bar, also wins praise. Prices start at $25 for participants 13 and older and $15 for kids ages 3 to 12; infants 2 and younger ride for $5. Narration cruises usually launch at noon and 2 p.m. daily from Saguaro Lake. (Other cruises featuring live music and wine or craft beer tastings are available at 4 p.m. on select days.)

Queen Mine Tours

Descend underground beneath Bisbee to a explore a former mine. During the hourlong tram tour, you'll learn about the methods and risks of copper mining from retired miners who double as guides. Travelers regularly find the guides' commentary fascinating and also describe the tram ride as fun. Tours are offered daily with multiple start times in both the morning and the afternoon. Tickets start at $14 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger are not permitted on this excursion. Open-toe shoes and high heels are forbidden. Prices include use of a hardhat and a miner's headlamp.

Tucson Bike Tours – Historic City Bike Tour

Navigate Tucson by bike on this small-group ride. Highlights of the 9-mile journey include the downtown area (featuring a spin through a restored train depot), a Spanish fort in the Presidio district, the University of Arizona , a neighborhood with colorful adobe houses and another with old bars and unique shops. Cyclists describe the tour as a leisurely ride (it traverses mostly flat terrain) and say they learned a lot about the city's history from the insightful guides. This roughly two-hour trip takes place daily at 9 a.m. and noon and is limited to eight cyclists. The company also offers tours highlighting the city's best Mexican cuisine and its vibrant murals.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Places to Visit in Arizona
• The Top Things to Do in Arizona
• The Best Restaurants in Sedona
• The Best Sedona Tours
• The Best Sedona Jeep Tours
• The Top Lakes in Arizona
• The Top Arizona Waterfalls

Tags: Arizona , Tours , Travel , Vacations , Arizona Vacations , US Vacations , Southwest Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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Flagstaff Tours May-September! Scottsdale & Tempe Town Lake October-May!

• Route 66 Flagstaff Tours
• CUSTOMEBIKEDESIGNS
• E-Bike Sales

ARIZONA E BIKE TOURS Your NEXT new e-bike and tour Adventure

Managing tours in Scottsdale~Tempe & Flagstaff & Arizona. 

scottsdale greenbelt bike shop - 7901 East thomas Road, scot

Right on the Scottsdale Greenbelt

At Arizona E Bike Experiences, we are a team of passionate travel enthusiasts who want to provide our customers with unique and unforgettable sightseeing experiences. Our journey began in 2015 when our founder, Jane Doe, decided to turn her love for travel into a business. Since then, we have been committed to creating personalized tours that showcase the best of each destination.

Custom Bike Design Shop

We offer a wide variety of sightseeing tours that cater to different interests and preferences. From walking tours to bike tours, from food tours to cultural tours, we have something for everyone. All of our tours are led by local guides who are experts in their field and are passionate about sharing their knowledge with our customers.

Used E-bikes for Sale

At Arizona E Bike Experiences, we believe in sustainable tourism. We are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and supporting local businesses and communities. We also believe in diversity, equality, and inclusion, and welcome customers from all backgrounds. Our aim is to create a positive impact, both for our customers and for the destinations we visit.

Tempe Town Lake -Papago Park

Flagstaff & bellemont village camp.

Enjoy this tour as you visit the Rio Salado project along with Papago Park! Ride through parks, and desert paths and enjoy views of the lake.  10-14 miles!

Scottsdale Parks Greenbelt

Ride the famous Greenbelt of Scottsdale and enjoy a journey through one of the top-rated Parks systems in the United States. Our top tour with 18-20 miles of enjoyable riding.  We ride!

Fort Tuthill -Flagstaff Group Rides

Imagine riding at 7000 feet, feeling comfortable, and enjoying trails and pine trees. We offer several set rides or you can  ask for a private group ride. 

A custom private goup ride is available by request.  A  full 3.5-hour experience around Flagstaff with a short downtown history walk!

Private Group Rides

We design and manage private group rides from 6-20 people depending on the location and bike inventory.  Contact us for a request!

ride @ your level and enjoy THE JOURNEY!

Experienced & fun facilitators.

We are facilitating you to discover e-biking for outdoor recreation and sustainable transportation while experiencing Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix or Flagstaff Arizona.  Our expertise is in Recreation and the outdoors while helping participants enjoy the ride, view and renewed fitness through e-biking.

Beautiful Sites

E-biking allows you to discover pedal assistance biking, getting outdoors, exercising and seeing the sites.  Ride 12-20 miles on one of our tours and see views of parks and the outdoors while discovering new pathways and urban trails. 

Check out our custom e-bike designs! Ride with design and class!

Custom E Bikes by Todd

Not only does our owner, Todd Davis, educate people on e-biking and take them out on tours, he helps design custom bikes for clients!

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For small group tours, we can customize an itinerary to emphasize your interests. If you have a special request, send us a message, and we will be sure to get back to you soon.

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From Night Safaris to Ghost Tours, the Best After-Dark Adventures for Your Next Vacation

W hen traveling, you needn’t squelch your appetite for adventure just because the daylight runs out. These five nighttime excursions prove that some of the most rewarding experiences happen after dark.

Ride by Bike-Light

In Arizona, night brings a respite from the desert sun and, for cyclists, that means ideal riding conditions. At the Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., guests can join a guided, moonlit ride along smooth trails, illuminated by the high-power LED lights on their handlebars. Over the course of a couple of hours, riders might spot mule deer, bobcats and night-blooming cactuses. “The desert is a  different place at night,”  said cycling guide Rico Riley. “You can really hear the coyotes howl.”

Experience Things That Go ‘Cheers’ in the Night

During the day, Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, attracts golfers, falconers and archers. But as dusk falls, the nearly 800-year-old castle shows its eerier side. Charismatic restaurant manager, Robert Bowe leads an after-hours tour through shadowy passageways once used to cart coal around the premises. Along the way, Bowe shares tales of the castle’s resident ghosts, like the “Girl in the White Dress” thought to be a former resident. Post-chills, you’ll be treated to wines from the castle’s historic cellar. It’s a bit like a dinner party if your host was centuries-old and partially transparent.

Wake Up With the Jungle

Many resorts on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast equip you to see monkeys, sloths and jaguars by day, but at the eco-resort Botánika Osa Peninsula, the dark hours invest the phrase “a wild night out” with new meaning. On a Jungle Night Walk, guests follow a guide into the rainforest around Crocodile Bay, where red-eyed tree frogs and stealthy ocelots roam.

Swim With Giants

With its Whale Shark Night Snorkeling excursions from November to April, private island resort COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives cranks up the thrill (or terror, if dark water freaks you out). A comprehensive briefing on how to interact with the wild giants respectfully kicks off the evening. Once in the water, you’ll snorkel—flashlight clutched tightly—alongside the world’s largest fish. Each photo taken (no flash allowed) aids conservation efforts, helping to track the animals. Plus, it makes for pretty impressive bragging rights.

Acquire Star Power

You’ve seen the photos on Instagram: eerily in-focus seas of stars. It’s not Photoshop, it’s practice. At Alila Ventana Big Sur hotel in California, night-sky tours are about observing the expanse—and gaining the skills to capture it. With expert instruction from “campground experience leader” Manuel Salas, you and a small group of students will learn how to take photos of the Milky Way with clarity, creativity and confidence.

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