Drive the historic Apache Trail, pan for gold in a restored ghost town and take a six‑mile narrated cruise on Canyon Lake aboard the Dolly Steamboat. This full‑day trip pairs volcanic cliffs, desert wildlife and hands‑on history with hotel pickup from the Phoenix metro area.
Drive the historic Apache Trail, pan for gold in a restored ghost town and take a six‑mile narrated cruise on Canyon Lake aboard the Dolly Steamboat. This full‑day trip pairs volcanic cliffs, desert wildlife and hands‑on history with hotel pickup from the Phoenix metro area.
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Book directly with Detours of Arizona for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
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Operated by Detours of Arizona · Apache Junction, Arizona
The van peels away from Phoenix before the city heat has a chance to stick. Asphalt gives way to a single ribbon of desert road and the Superstition Mountains push up from the horizon like a raw, black spine. You feel the landscape change under the tires—saguaro arms flexing, creosote scent lifting—and, within an hour, the dramatic vertical faces above Canyon Lake come into view: volcanic cliffs that have been carved and scoured for millennia.
easy.
6–8 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires short walks and some standing during the cruise
No—the Dolly Steamboat portion is a shared, narrated six‑mile nature cruise even when the land tour is private.
The total duration is approximately eight hours and pickup/drop‑off in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe is included; confirm pickup when you book.
The tour notes foldable wheelchairs are accessible and short walks are involved; contact the operator ahead for specific accessibility arrangements.
Sightings are common but not guaranteed; morning and late afternoon runs increase wildlife activity on the shorelines and ledges.
Yes—visitors can try panning for gold in the restored Goldfield Ghost Town during the stop.
For a full refund cancel at least 24 hours before departure; within 24 hours there is no refund.
The Apache Trail follows a path used by the Apache people and later became a late‑19th‑century route for miners and stagecoaches during Arizona’s gold rush era.
The route passes through Tonto National Forest lands—stay on designated areas, avoid feeding wildlife, and pack out trash to protect fragile desert ecosystems.
Detours of Arizona operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




Book with Detours of Arizona
Book directly with Detours of Arizona for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now