Sonoran Desert To MountainTop Jeep Tour minutes from Scottsdale
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Board our Custom Jeep Gladiator and head ten minutes North into Tonto National Forest for off-road slow-crawl through Rackensack Canyon. Your expert desert guide will identify unique plants of the rugged Upper Sonoran Desert along with discussion of the Canyon's Ancient Indian Ruins.
You then climb 900 vertical feet over 1.5 miles into Chaparral Vegetation zone with breathtaking views at 4500 foot elevation summit. The short ride to the top can be a bit dusty & bouncy but is also exhilarating fun with entertaining narration and educational photo stops along trail.
At the Rammed Earth, Mountain Top Studio you will enjoy complimentary snacks with free time to relax on patio while taking in jaw dropping vistas or try your hand at Steer Head Roping, Cornhole and Horseshoes before return trip to Civilization.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Service animals allowed
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travelers with excessive fear of heights may experience anxiety in our mountainous terrain.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Town of Carefree Sundial
Designated Departure location for our tours is in Carefree, Arizona Town Center on the East side of their World Famous Sundial. Come early and stay late to enjoy the small town hospitality of this beautiful community with excellent restaurants and unique shops in abundance. Read more about Historic 1880's Gold Mine Jeep Adventure near Scottsdale-Phoenix - https://www.viator.com/tours/Scottsdale/Historic-1880s-Gold-Mine-Jeep-Adventure-minutes-from-Scottsdale/d38685-432942P1?mcid=56757
Tonto National Forest
Our private Road Easement in Tonto National Forest is connected to North Scottsdale/Carefree, Arizona. The trailhead is located 15 minutes northeast of our pickup location from the Sundial in Carefree.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Complementary Snacks at Mountaintop Studio
Gift Shop
Studio Activities: Steer Head Roping, Cornhole & Horseshoes
Restroom Facilities
Tour Guide gratuity
Options
Sonoran Desert To MountainTop Jeep Tour minutes from Scottsdale
Reviews
23 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour
michaelyoungs,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Paul was a fantastic guide! Meeting Charles and Ginger at their beautiful mountaintop home was delightful. The hospitality was tremendous. This is a MUST do when visiting the Phoenix / Scottsdale area. Get there early as the town of Carefree is truly awesome.
Great Views, Great Experience
John S,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Stunning views. Excellent guide. Wonderful people. It was a highlight of our trip. Highly recommend to anyone visiting.
Great tour
M4770PVchristinea,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Safe and comfortable jeep tour through beautiful country. Gracious hosts, humorous and informative guide. Memorable afternoon well spent. Highly recommend this tour!
Ron
W1455CCrs,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Would recommend that you take this trip.
Sonoran Jeep tour
Peggy G,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful Jeep tour! Dave, the driver, was do friendly and informative. He talked about the local flora and fauna in our way up to the top. Ginger and Charlie were very welcoming and we loved their beautiful casita. The cookies and refreshments were a real treat! The view from their patio is amazing and the hummingbirds kept us entertained! I would definitely recommend this trip for anyone in the Phoenix/Mesa area!
Beautiful Sonoran Desert Jeep tour
656peggyg,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed our Jeep tour with Dave, the driver, and Ginger and Charlie, the owners! We learned a lot about the flora and fauna of the desert from Dave. Charlie and Ginger were so hospitable in welcoming us to their beautiful casita! The snacks, drinks and restrooms were a nice bonus at the top of the mountain. The view from the patio was amazing and the hummingbirds kept us entertained. We spent the evening in Carefree which is a beautiful place. We would definitely recommend this trip to anyone in the area. Thank you again, Charlie and Ginger!!
Unique and Personalized Experience!
V8893VNdeannas,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dave was our driver and had tons of local knowledge - he was great at expanding information for what we were interested in (my Dad loves gold mining stories). The ride was great. They supplied bottled water and blankets ( not all adventure tours do that). We were greeted at the top of the mountain by owners Charlie and Ginger who were lovely hosts and artisans. We thoroughly enjoyed our almost hour on their property and studio with great snacks and breathtaking views! Highly recommend this experience which was a unique local experience with actual mountain property owners!
Annual Girls Trip! 🥰
Liliana V,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00"Absolutely incredible experience! Did this for a girls' trip and it was the highlight of our trip. The views from the mountain top were stunning, and the ride was perfectly bumpy and exciting. Our guide Dave made sure we were laughing the whole time and got some great group photos for us. And the hosts Ginger and Charles were incredible 10/10!"
Terrific tour
Q6487EXelizabeths,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a terrific tour. We highly recommend it. The scenery going up the mountain is amazing. Our guide, Rebel, was great— knowledgeable, funny, very personable. At the top, you are treated to extraordinary views and a very neat gift shop and business and, even better, to Ginger and Charles. They are the owners and hosts extraordinaire— really fun to spend time with them.
Best Jeep Tour in the Valley
keithhV1978TY,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience! We enjoyed the guide. He was very knowledgeable. The owners were gracious and made us feel right at home. Views were beautiful, back porch cozy and snacks were spot on for a cool morning. Highly recommend.
From US$175.00
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Operated by Rackensack Canyon Tours