dark logo watermark

Arizona Adventure Tours

Arizona Vacations Adventure Tours

Our Arizona adventures explore the diverse ecosystems of the Grand Canyon state from arid desert to lush riverbanks and otherworldly rock formations.

Astounding wonders of Mother Nature abound in Arizona, where the landscapes seem to defy words. Behold the epic views of the Grand Canyon from the rim and the canyon floor. Hop on a train and see the landscapes change before your eyes. Behold dry deserts and forested rivers. Arizona is a jewel in the American Southwest, offering countless adventures and hidden gems at every turn.

Arizona Adventure Tours

North America

Grand Canyon Adventure

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Over 6 days, soak in the splendour of the Grand Canyon and its awe-inspiring landscapes via hiking, biking and rafting on our Grand Canyon Adventure Tour.

Trip Start: Phoenix, Arizona Trip End: Phoenix, Arizona

North America

Grand Canyon Family Vacation

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

 FAMILY VACATION

Introduce your family to the awe-inspiring vastness of the Grand Canyon. On this six-day trip, you’ll hike, bike, kayak, and cruise by train through this incredible region to discover its dynamic history and geological wonders.

Trip Start: Phoenix, Arizona Trip End: Phoenix, Arizona

North America

Grand Canyon in Winter

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Experience the peace and epic scale of the Grand Canyon in winter, with its upper cliffs dusted in snow and quieter trails. You’ll see a new side to this geological wonder on this 6-day Arizona adventure tour.

Trip Start: Phoenix, Arizona Trip End: Phoenix, Arizona
Intro Block Image 1 v3

Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.  

READ MORE
grand canyon tour

When is the best time to visit Arizona

Many people think of the words “hot” and “dry” when they conjure up an image of Arizona, but in reality, Arizona’s climate varies widely according to altitude. Southern Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson) experiences very hot summers and warm winters while Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon) will see four distinct seasons, although any time of the year is mild enough for a visit. On an Austin Adventures Arizona adventure, you’ll likely fly into Phoenix but will immediately head north to milder weather.

SPRING (APRIL TO MAY)

Spring is a nice time to visit Arizona regardless of where you go in the state. Southern Arizona will likely be pleasant in April (with average highs around 80°F) while May will see temperatures creeping upwards into the 90s – don’t forget, it’s a dry heat. If that’s too hot for you, head north where it will be much cooler at this time with highs in the 60-70°F range and lows in the 30s (bring a jacket!)

SUMMER (JUNE – AUGUST)

Summertime temperatures can vary greatly depending on where you are during the hottest part of the season. Southern, Arizona is hot, hot, HOT seeing high temperatures in the 100F+ range and lows in the 80s. In this kind of heat, most of our guests either hang out inside or head out to the pool (wear your sunscreen!) June – August is the “value season” in Southern Arizona while Northern Arizona enjoys its “peak season”during this time frame. Up north, you’ll find highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s – just perfect for an active vacation!

AUTUMN (SEPTEMBER -DECEMBER)

The fall season starts out warm in September (especially in Southern Arizona) but will drop down considerably over the next few months. Later in the season, the south starts to see some nice temperatures in the 60 to 70°F range. It will get colder up north, averaging anywhere between 40 to 60°F for a high, but it’s not so cold that you can’t take in the sights by foot! Depending on where you travel, you may even come across some snow later in the season. After all, places like Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon average about 7,000 feet in elevation!

WINTER (JANUARY – MARCH)

We would consider winter in Arizona quite pleasant for the most part. Southern Arizona experiences its peak season at this time as tourists flock to the warm temperatures, attempting to escape the snow across the rest of the US. The high’s in Phoenix at this time land in the 60 to 70°F range ah, perfect.  Northern Arizona will definitely be colder as you head up in elevation, but the winter temperatures (highs anywhere between 40 to 50°F) are quiet pleasant in the height of the day. Lows can be below freezing so there’s a possibility of snow – dress warm!

arizona adventure

How to prepare/pack/plan for an Arizona Adventure Vacation

You can travel to Arizona at just about any time of the year and enjoy an adventure vacation. So, your main question might be: what do I pack? While our detailed pre-trip planner will give you the specifics, read on for a few tips from our adventure travel professionals on what to pack and how to prepare for your Arizona adventure.

Pack lightweight clothing, but be sure to bring layers

Since it’s warm most times of year in Arizona, you’ll want to be sure to pack lightweight clothing (shorts and t-shirts) to maintain a cool body temperature in the heat of an active day. However, you’ll also want to bring along a few extra warmer layers as it can be cool in the mornings, evenings, and nights! If you’re traveling anytime between late October and early April in northern Arizona, you may want to bring a warm jacket or fleece, gloves, a warm hat, mid-weight long-sleeve layers, warm socks, and long underwear.

Pack your raincoat, especially during monsoon season!

Arizona’s monsoon thunderstorms take place from mid-June through the end of summer during the height of the peak season. Monsoons in Arizona typically bring higher humidity, windstorms, dust storms and periods of heavy rains. Be sure to pack your raincoat in your day pack and make it easily accessible. Thunderstorms are especially common in the afternoons and develop quickly. Luckily, we’ve usually completed our activities for the day and are enjoying ourselves back at the hotel by the time a storm hits. In case you get caught in a thunderstorm during an activity, your guide will direct you to the safest area to wait out the storm.

Bring a day pack

For adults, we recommend a backpack in the 24 to 38-liter range. For kids: a small pack will work, but we find that parents usually end up carrying a lot of their kid’s “stuff” on any given hike! You’ll want to make sure you have enough room for plenty of water, sunscreen, and your camera. You also may shed layers throughout the day or bring a lunch, so don’t forget that you’ll need extra room for these items.

arizona adventures

Travel Tips for Visiting Arizona

When and where you go in Arizona will largely determine how you go about planning your trip. Below, you can read a few insider tips from our knowledgeable team, and if you want to know more – just give us a call!

1. Avoid heat-related illness.

It can be HOT in Arizona in the summer and it’s easy to fall victim to a heat-related illness if you don’t follow a few easy tips. First, drink more fluids than you normally would, ESPECIALLY during any outdoor activity. If you become thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. To avoid this, constantly sip on water throughout the day and drink lots of water after a strenuous activity. Also, you’ll want to steer clear (or enjoy in moderation) beverages containing alcohol, caffeine, or large amounts of sugar (these can dehydrate your body!). Also, limit your outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its peak intensity.

2. Phoenix: in the heat of the summer.

When it comes to flying into Arizona, Phoenix is our city of choice. While it’s very hot in the summer, there’s a myriad of things to do inside that will keep you out of the heat but still having fun. There are a  number of water and splash parks if you want to get your soak on. You can also check out the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, or the Mining and Mineral Museum if you’d rather find a little intellectual stimulation. You can even hit up a Broadway production at the Orpheum Theater downtown or catch an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game in the comfort of a closed, air-conditioned ballpark.

3. Exercise now, enjoy yourself later

Many of our guests travel to Arizona from sea level (or near that) and find that activity is more difficult at this higher elevation. To prepare for this change, make sure to practice any kind of exercise routine (walking, running, cycling, fitness classes, etc.) to ensure you feel comfortable taking on an active vacation. The more physical you are before your trip, the better prepared you’ll feel, even with a change in elevation!

Meet Your Arizona Adventure Guides

FAQs About Adventure Vacations in Arizona

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.

What's included on your North America trips?

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

Transport

We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

All Guiding Services

Each trip features two or three incredible guides and our average guest to guide ratio is 6:1. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Activities

Any activity described in our itinerary, such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and biking, are included in your trip cost. Our itineraries are pretty jam-packed to maximize our time spent exploring in these amazing places, and your guides will make it clear if there are additional activities available (at your expense).

How many people are there on each of our North America trips?

We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our trips can accommodate up to 22 guests, depending on each departure. Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and generally feature a mix of singles, couples and friends, and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We regularly accommodate single guests on our group trips and there’s no forced single supplement if you don’t mind sharing a room (you might even get a room to yourself sometimes). If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book within 90 days and you’re a Forced single, you’ll be required to pay for your own room.

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What if I need a special diet?

We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
  • picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online travel wallet.

 

How much luggage can I bring on the North America trips?

You'll need one piece of luggage, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage can be a soft sided duffel or a suitcase with wheels, and you'll need a good quality 18-24 liter daypack to carry with you throughout the days on the trails.

As far as extra luggage goes, if there's not too much (such as one small extra bag per person) then it shouldn't be a problem to fit it in our luggage trailer during the trip. If you've got more than that, then all major airports have luggage facilities available on a weekly basis, or if you are staying at a pre-trip hotel they may be able to store it for you until you return too.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get cash?

You'll be able to find a reliable ATM once you arrive to start your trip, within the township or at the airport you land in, as national park ATM locations are sparse at best. Aside from tips for your guides, you could bring $200 and go home with change though some people like to bring some cash to cover a round of drinks, a few souvenirs, and dinner on "night on your own", although you could just as easily use a credit card for these purchases too.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size) and we recommend $15-25 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

Is there a number to call in an emergency? How can my family, friends or colleagues contact me

Please contact our office using the details below. If the office is unattended (outside of business hours), dial the extension for the emergency line. If no one immediately responds, please leave a message so we can pick it up and return your call as soon as we can.
Free phone 1 800 661 9073
Email: service@austinadventures.com

show more

show less

Arizona Adventure Blogs

Why Travel With US

benefit group size

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.

benefit guides

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”