Scottsdale is the perfect getaway if you’re on the hunt for dirt, speed, and desert vibes where you can really let off some steam and leave all your stress in the dust! One of the best ways to take advantage of the beautiful Sonoran landscape is to race around in a Jeep or ATV.

Instead of just renting one, I highly recommend taking things a step further and going on a proper tour with a guide! I’ve gone ahead and compiled the 5 top Scottsdale Jeep & ATV tours that are well worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Rides and Grand Canyon Tours From Phoenix.

Best Scottsdale Jeep & ATV Tours

	Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset	T3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Experience in Sonoran Desert	Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV - Centipede Tour
Duration:	2 hours	3.25 hours	2 hours
Departure:	8711 E Pinnacle Peak Rd Suite F110, Scottsdale	46639 N Black Canyon Hwy, New River	61112 Black Canyon Fwy, New River
Start:	5:30 PM	9:00 AM, 2:00 PM	8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Includes:	Explore Tonto National Forest and Pinnacle Peak Park, bottled water, vehicle use, guide	Bottled water, Desert Wolf Limited Edition DustGaiter(tm) to keep from breathing dust, Awesome Memories That Will Last A Lifetime!	Safety gear (helmet, goggles, face mask), Bottled water, Professional guided group tour, 3-hours total, 2 hours of riding and training
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Scottsdale Jeep & ATV Tours For 2026

1. Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset
2. 3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Experience in Sonoran Desert
3. Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV – Centipede Tour
4. Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour
5. Scottsdale ATV/UTV 2 Person Sand Buggy Off-Road Desert Tour

Scottsdale Jeep & ATV Tour Reviews

1. Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset

Nothing hits quite like a Scottsdale off-road jeep tour, taking you deep into the rugged Sonoran Desert Terrain where normal cars usually never dare to tread. Avoid the hottest part of the day while enjoying a gorgeous sundown with the Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset!

Complete with an expert guide to help make sure you’re traveling on the right paths, it’s perfect if you wouldn’t normally want to venture out here on your own.

I’m not going to lie – before I ever stepped foot in Scottsdale, I thought it was going to be a ton of hair salons, manicure places, and gyms. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it features some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the entire country!

Of course, it’s always smart to go out into the unknown with an expert first, offering clear instruction on safety, and making sure you know how to either operate the vehicle properly or ride along as a passenger.

The route we took covered a mix of rocky switchbacks, wash crossings, and wide-open desert views that made it seem like it just stretched along forever. These made for particularly striking photo ops, and our guide even took some photos and videos of us along the way, serving as the perfect mementos.

We took plenty of stops where we were able to learn about the different types of animals and plants, take photos, stretch our legs, and simply enjoy the natural beauty all around us.

If you’re looking for a short-but-sweet adventure that ramps up the adrenaline, this is the perfect way to watch the sunrise envelop the desert!

More Information & Tour Booking

2. T3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Experience in Sonoran Desert

Next up is the slightly longer T3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Experience in Sonoran Desert! Clocking in at 3 hours long, it’s perfect if you’re looking to get your heart racing and instantly elevate your Scottsdale vacation.

This is hands-down one of the most scenic, fun, hands-on ways to explore Arizona’s iconic landscapes. There are a few different tour start times available, so you can select which one works best for you and your schedule.

It’s far from a basic rental – rather, this guided Sonoran Desert ATV tour focuses on passion, safety, and ensuring your group is matched with terrain that suits your experience and comfort levels. With all helmets, goggles, and dust gaiters provided, you’ll be as comfortable as can be, too!

The 4-seater Tomcar military-grade UTVs are phenomenal – they’re not only extremely fun to zoom around in, but are very durable, safe, and perfect for letting small friend groups and families ride together.

The massive wheels make it so much easier and smoother to ride over rugged terrain, which was a huge relief for me. We did spend some time outside of our Tomcars with our guides, learning all about the indigenous flora and fauna found here.

We also got time to just soak it all in and take photos, all while learning about the rich history and culture of the area. This was actually one of the most educational tours of its kind that I’d taken, and I’m already excited to do it all over again!

More Information & Tour Booking

3. Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV – Centipede Tour

If you’re in Arizona, there’s no way you can just stay on the main streets with so much natural beauty all around you! The Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV – Centipede Tour lets you get up close and personal with the raw terrain of the Sonoran Desert while having an absolute blast behind the wheel!

From the second you hit the trail, you’ll be flooded with a rush of freedom that makes you wonder why you hadn’t done this even sooner. There are plenty of different start times available, so you’ll be able to select the one that works best for your schedule.

Meet your guide at the adventure center off Black Canyon Freeway, where you’ll be suited up with a helmet, goggles, and face mask (nothing is worse than lungs/face full of dust!), and be able to answer any questions you may have.

Our guide also went through a safety briefing and training in how to drive the ATVs, which were both very helpful. If you’re a history nerd like I am, you’ll appreciate your local guide’s fascinating historical commentary about the Native Americans who once lived in these unforgiving conditions, as well as plenty of info about the local animals and plants.

Keep your eyes peeled for critters like coyotes, bobcats, deer, rabbits, quail, and snakes, too! While we definitely had a load of fun racing around in the open desert, the rugged beauty was just completely overwhelming.

The massive saquaros, rocky washes, etc. made for some seriously gorgeous photos, and I appreciated the regular photo stops, as they were very much needed! This fantastic balance of excitement and accessiblity makes it great for families, groups, or solo travelers looking for a taste of the state’s wild side without a half-day commitment.

More Information & Tour Booking

4. Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour

When it comes to Arizona desertscapes, you can expect a good amount of heat and dust. While ATVs do a great job in terms of agility, Jeeps often offer superior comfort, weather protection, and carrying capacity. If you prefer the latter, the Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour is exactly what you’re looking for.

You get to choose from either a morning or afternoon departure from Scottsdale, depending on what works best with your schedule. Whether you’re into exploring nature, keeping an eye out for animals, or are simply an adrenaline junkie, it’s an experience that appeals to the masses.

What I also loved about this tour, was that I got to see so many different parts of the desert than I did on the other excursions! After going through a safety briefing and asking all of our questions at the time, we all headed out to our Jeep.

We headed out to the Tonto National Forest trailhead located just a bit past the Pinnacle Peak General Store where we stopped off for some drinks to deal with the heat! Pinnacle Peak is a breathtaking granite summit that we got to see along the way, learning all about the fantastic hiking spot.

As we raced our Jeep over the varied terrain, we had a front row view of all the beautiful natural landscapes, with our guide pointing out the local plant and animal species to us.

We made stops at particularly notable spots, taking photos under massive saguaros, and learning all about the history here – specifically Native American history and culture. All in all, it was a fulfilling, heart-pumping couple of hours that’s sure to transform the way you see this desert.

More Information & Tour Booking

5. Scottsdale ATV/UTV 2 Person Sand Buggy Off-Road Desert Tour

Last but certainly not least, is the Scottsdale ATV/UTV 2 Person Sand Buggy Off-Road Desert Tour. It’s a bit different than any other on this guide, as you’re not really riding in a Jeep nor in what we’d typically refer to as an “ATV”.

Rather, you have a “C2” Desert car, which is a 2-seat vehicle equipped with a roll cage and seatbelts. These vehicle are the ultimate if you really want to feel completely connected to nature, as it’s free of walls, roofs, etc.

I also found it to be the most agile of any of the 3 vehicle types, which is probably due to the fact that it’s more lightweight and smaller. Also, if you’re just traveling with a friend or a significant other, it’s nice to have it be just the two of you onboard.

There are quite a few start times throughout the day to choose from, usually in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the bulk of the heat and sun.

After meeting up with your guide, going through the safety briefing, and the training of how to use the vehicles, you’ll get geared up with your helmet, gators, and other necessary equipment. Then, it’s time to set off with your guide leading the way – no need to worry about navigation.

They’d included ice-cold drinks and lightweight snacks for us to munch on, keeping us hydrated, energized, and comfy. We stopped to take some photos, stretch our legs, and listen to our guide regale us with informational commentary about the unique history and culture of this area.

We saw a few coyotes, and even a snake, along with truly breathtaking desert plants! I’d recommend this tour to anyone and everyone, as your guide will customize the path according to your comfort and experience level from everything from off-road raing to more relaxed hillsides and open desert routes.

More Information & Tour Booking