Feel the Thrill of an Off-Road ATV Tour in the Sonoran Desert With the Bradshaw Mountains in the Background

Great tourist adventures are often synonymous with big crowds and no space. Take Grand Canyon for example. However, that doesn’t always have to be the case. There is an Arizona desert ATV tour where you can feel the thrill of the ride while enjoying the gorgeous Sonoran desert! If you are ready for a tour of a lifetime, then ready your helmets and hop on!

The Thrilling Arizona Desert ATV Tour Lets You Ride on Rocky and Rugged Trails

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What better way to enjoy the outdoors than to ride the trails on an off-road ATV? You can spend time aboard the single-rider ATV (which also looks pretty badass) and witness the gorgeous sights of the Bradshaw Mountains. The scenic journey also allows you to cross the Aqua Fria River, and splash around the cold water for a bit.

Since you are accompanied by a professional and knowledgeable guide, you can throw him any question you may have about the region’s plant life. Sure enough, he will also be happy to share some information about the wildlife, and history of the place. Given that the Arizona desert ATV tour takes approximately 3 hours, we are sure you’ll have plenty of stories to share!

Before you ride off-road, you will first be given the safety training, as well as the necessary equipment you will need. This includes goggles, gloves, and Sonoran Desert Helmets. You will also be given bottled water so you can pause when necessary and hydrate during the journey. Plus, you can make your choice of several departures throughout the day. Just choose whichever is most convenient for you.

Where Does the Fun Start?

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The safety briefing, check-in, and turnover of safety equipment usually takes about 1 hour. This means that the remaining 2 hours are allotted for good old fun and off-road adventure! It starts from Rock Springs, which is a community located in Black Canyon City just north of Phoenix. Soon, you’ll be setting off for the Bradshaw Mountains of the Sonoran Desert. The mountain is not just stunning. It is also famed for being one of the most mineralized mountain ranges in the world!

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Time flies while you are having fun. You will realize that only after traveling past the beautiful saguaro cacti and deep canyons. The vast desert offers many gorgeous settings you won’t see everyday. Take advantage of it and make sure to snap some photos. The Arizona desert ATV tour also leads you to rugged washes and cross creeks. While these are pretty challenging, that is what makes the adventure much more worthwhile – the rush of soaring over the dirt roller coasters.

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Feel free to ask your guide for some information or facts along the way. Hear anecdotes about the Native Americans who once farmed the landscape. Or you can also keep your eyes peeled for some desert residents such as bobcats, coyotes, rabbits, deer, quail, and snakes. Since wildlife is not always friendly, then you better learn about some survival techniques.

What You Should Know About the Arizona Desert ATV Tour

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• If you decide to come and try the Arizona desert ATV tour, just remember that no skirts or dresses are allowed. Similarly, open-toed shoes are not permitted to protect your feet. The desert terrain is stunning, but it will also be unforgiving at times. Still, don’t let that stop you from enjoying a great experience!
• You should be 16 years old or older to drive with a valid driver’s license.
• This ride is not recommended for pregnant women, no matter how adventurous they are. Guests with existing back problems, heart complications, or other serious medical conditions also cannot join the tour.
• There is a minimum of 2 people per booking required. If you are a virgin off-road ATV rider, then prepare for the ride of your life! This is not just a flat land desert buggy ride.
• This tour is advisable for travelers with a moderate physical fitness level. Prepare to get dirty and have fun!
• Your Arizona desert ATV tour is available on a single-passenger Honda ATV or a 5-Seater Honda Pioneer UTV. You will need prior experience if you want to hop on the ATV. If you only like to take in the beautiful sights, you may opt for the ride-along tour (for UTV only) wherein the guide will take the wheel so you don’t have to worry about driving.
• Guests are advised to bring at least 64 ounces of water per person. You should also have dust protection, eye protection, and a face mask. If you do not have any, don’t worry! You can rent their safety gear at no additional cost.

Tour Schedule and Check-in Times

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The 2-hour tour schedule varies: 

October to May: 8:00 am, 11:00 am, and 3:00 pm
June to September: 6:00 am, 8:00 am, and 10:00 am

*Afternoon times may change based on time of year, and additional tour times may be added

These are the check-in times during the summer season:

Monday to Friday: 6:00 am to 11:00 am (must be off the trail by 2:00 pm)
Saturday to Sunday: 6:00 am to 2:00 pm (must be off the trail by 5:00 pm)

They recently adjusted their check-in time from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm (must be off the trail by 6:00 pm) last October. If you also booked a certain time, you may disregard it and just come anytime you like in the above time-slots.

Note: Even if you purchase your tickets online, it does not guarantee specific ride times. The tour is on a first come first serve basis based on the time you arrive.

Purchase Your Arizona Desert ATV Tour Tickets in Advance

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You may buy your tickets online and redeem them anytime. These have no expiration dates so you can just come at a future date if you are still waiting for a friend to confirm his or her availability. The management also allows pre-purchased tickets and on-site tickets to check-in for the same tours and riding times. There is up to a one-hour check-in period upon arrival.

If you plan to try this tour, you should come during the weekdays because weekends have a bigger crowd, and also extended waiting times.

Special Rate (limited time): $75/person for ATV (single-seater only), 2 passenger UTV, 3 passenger UTV, or a 4 passenger UTV.

How to Get Here

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Look up Rock Springs Cafe to see the general location of the facility. The address is not searchable on Google Maps, Waze, or any other GPS applications.

From Phoenix

1. Take I17 north and exit at Rock Springs, number exit 242.
2. Then, turn left and cross over the freeway bridge. Turn left again and head south on the frontage road.
3. Look for Arizona Outdoor Fun billboard ATV rides, before turning right 20 yards past the billboard. You will be on a dirt road driveway that veers to the south. Remember not to get back on I17 southbound.
4. Travel on dirt road 1/2 mile and turn right into Arizona Outdoor Fun property.

What About Arizona Outdoor Fun?

The Arizona desert ATV tour is operated by Arizona Outdoor Fun, and this group has already made a name for itself by bringing the Arizona Outdoors to clients like no one else. They have different outdoor recreational vehicles, and also have a superior command of the equipment you’ll be renting. Since they have serviced many travelers and adventurers, expect only the best and most thrilling Arizona experience!

This one is a guided tour, but you can also join other unguided breathtaking sightseeing tours.

Before you go, check out other Sonoran Desert adventures: Let the Adventure Begin With the Zipline Ecotour That Will Let You Zip Across the Sonoran Desert and There Is a Protected Area in the Sonoran Desert That Features Magnificent Organ Pipe Cactus.