The Apache Trail
Our Apache Trail tours are a blend of beautiful scenery, fantastic Western history, and a gorgeous boat tour through Canyon Lake. We are happy to offer custom and standard Apache Trail tours for interested groups. Keeping CDC safety measures in mind, we ask our guests to wear masks when in the vehicle and keep distance from other when outside the vehicle as well. This is not a problem when exploring the Apache Trail, which is a great example of wide open space! Our Apache Trail tours are also perfect for those staying in Phoenix with a limited amount of time in a day to explore something unique. Due to the Apache Trail being so close to Phoenix, our Apache Trail tours are our shortest because the drive time is significantly less than the Grand Canyon or Tombstone. It takes one and half hours to get to the end of where we stop on the Apache Trail – Tortilla Flat. Because travel time is short, our tour can focus more on the scenery and fantastic history of the area. If you’re looking for the best possible experience, consider taking a tour with us! The Apache Trail is awesome, and we encourage you to call, email, or reach out on Facebook to learn more about the tour. If you’d like to learn more about our Apache Trail tours, continue reading.
Apache Trail Map

Map of our tour through the Apache Trail.
This map highlights are usual stops at the Superstition Mountain Museum, the Goldfield ghost town, a scenic drive to the Dolly Boat Tour on Canyon Lake, and our last stop at Tortilla Flat.
Apache Trail Scenic Drive

Weaver’s Needle, visible along the Apache Trail.
The road that goes through the ‘Apache Trail’ is Arizona State Route 88. Arizona is full of scenic drives, especially near Sedona and southern Arizona. However, the Apache Trail is one of the best. The road winds you through a mountain range that is part of an ancient volcanic range, giving the mountains and hills colors of yellow and orange. There are deep valleys that dip from the mountains and hills, sometimes filled with a river or even man-made lake. Notable geological features stick out, like Weaver’s Needle and the Superstition Mountains. Coupled with all of this is the remarkable scenery of southern Arizona’s cacti and flora plants. Some of the tallest saguaros dominate the landscape, as well as barrel cacti and yucca plants as well. Eventually, the pavement ends just outside of Tortilla Flat, and drivers have to take a dirt road with steep downhills that lead into valleys, as photod above. The Four Peaks dominate the highest points of the skyline as well. So, for those looking for a great blend of a day trip that isn’t too far from Phoenix, but still provides excellent scenery, then the Apache Trail is one of the best. The whole area is protected by the Tonto National Forest , helping to protect the delicate desert environment.
Canyon Lake Boat Tours
Arizona Scenic Tours has partnered with the Dolly Boat Tour company to provide our guests with an excellent experience on Canyon Lake. Dolly is the name of the steamboat that the tour company uses, and the tour provides a guided narration as well as snacks and alcohol. This is a great way to end the tour, as taking the boat through massive canyon walls culminates an experience that brings you so close to the geology of the area. Guests will have opportunities to see wildlife such as mountain goats, bald eagles, and coyotes. Part of the canyon wall even has the remnants of petrified palm trees sticking out! Guests and guides alike love this unique boat experience.
Hope to see you there!
Learn more about our Apache Trail tours by clicking here. Arizona Scenic Tours provides hotel pick ups and drop offs, as well as water, and a knowledgable and funny guide. As mentioned earlier, we are happy to provide safe and private tours to accommodate those looking for a safer pandemic experience. Let us know if you have any questions!