A Picturesque Ride along Southern Arizona’s Dolly Steamboat
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Unfortunately, most of the time it is way too hot during the summer season to enjoy any of the incredible hikes populating the Phoenix metro. I love seeing the tall Saguaro cacti and other interesting desert plant life on the trails. I recommend anyone visiting outside of the summer season to check out a hike or 2 if you are able to do so. For anyone looking for a unique way to still enjoy the desert scenery when it is over 100 degrees, I recommend a relaxing, scenic cruise around Canyon Lake.
A cruise is your next best option when harsh desert conditions prevent you from being outside for too long. It would be a mistake to visit the Phoenix region and not take time to enjoy the amazing Sonoran desert. There are several cruise companies in the area, Dolly Steamboat being one of your options. A cruise is also a great alternative any time of the year for those unable to hike for any reason.
The drive to get here from Phoenix along the gorgeous Apache Trail Scenic Drive is as beautiful as the cruise itself. It’s a long slow drive but very scenic and you will never be bored. Plan extra time for the curvy ride which slowly travels through the scenic Superstition mountains. The drive is quiet and very beautiful with unending views of cacti and mountains.
On a more serious note, it is considered a very dangerous drive and there have been many crashes throughout the years. I admit I was a bit scared at times as there are no guardrails, lots of steep drops, and lots of narrow sections with blindspots. Fortunately, we made it safely and enjoyed the mountain scenery. Be careful out there!
The Steamboat
The 2 deck boat features a covered upper deck, air conditioned lower deck, and a cash snack and drink bar. The cruise is a relatively affordable activity and the views are fantastic. I would say it is a great half day out for the price.
Although you may think the air conditioned lower deck is the best option, the covered outdoor deck offers the best views. If you want to take a lot of pictures, you will want to stand up. You may be surprised – it gets pretty breezy once the boat starts moving. So as long as you stay out of direct sunlight you should be fine. We arrived too late for an A/C spot (they are first come, first served) but ending up enjoying the scenery more being outside.
Guests are seated according to order of arrival, so if you get there last you may be stuck with views of the staircase rather than the beautiful lake (as in our case). At first we were very disappointed with our obstructed view. However, we decided just to stand outside the entire journey which worked out better as we were taking a lot of photos.
If anything, we got better pictures and basically enjoyed the deck to ourselves as most people were hiding in the air. That being said, I do recommend booking your tour during the cooler months, if possible.
Fabulous mountain scenery – no hike required
Not only will you get to marvel at Canyon Lake, but there are also some nice views of the Superstition Mountains and various rock formations. The longer I live in Arizona, the more beauty I see. We have all seen the jokes about the state being an ugly dry desert. I can say that the more I explore, the more I believe this is a myth created by someone who has never been to the state.
To be honest, I didn’t even know there were any lakes here before relocating. Beautiful Canyon Lake is enough alone to prove how beautiful this state is.
Here are some more views of interesting rock formations we saw along the way. The water appears to be so clean and beautiful. There were a handful of boaters out enjoying some fun-in-the-sun. You can rent pontoons, boats, paddleboards, and jet skis at the marina as an alternative to this cruise.
A cacti oasis
The best part of the cruise is enjoying the many views of the exotic cacti dotting the shoreline. It’s probably the best place to see a lot of cacti outside of hiking. For anyone who cannot hike, this is a wonderful way to still appreciate the rare beauty of the desert. To me, nothing is more incredible than seeing these cacti in person. If you grew up anywhere outside of the Southwest, this should be a really cool experience. I grew up in the Midwest (in Chicago) so seeing these cacti continues to impress me no matter how many times I hike.
We took a visiting family member on this cruise (who is not a hiker) and they were really impressed. Just driving around Phoenix, you don’t get to see much of the natural beauty thanks to the many strip malls and housing developments covering the natural lands. Sometimes, you need to show first time visitors how gorgeous the area is as it is not readily apparent from the highway. All the more reason to explore!
If you are lucky, you may get to see some wildlife too. Bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and other small mammals, along with plenty of birds, are frequently sighted. We didn’t see much besides various species of birds, but were happy enough with the great scenery.
If you are looking for a longer cruise, check out the 2.5 hour Twilight Cruise held on Saturday evenings.
Directions & Pricing
The cruise departs at: 16802 AZ-88, Tortilla Flat, AZ 85290. Plan extra time for the slow drive up Apache Trail.
Adult tickets are $35, children $17. Pricing current as of 2025. Check for updates and special promotions on the website. Dinner and astronomy cruises also available.
Book tickets and learn more about this beautiful cruise
