Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat — Canyon Lake Cruise, Goldfield & Tortilla Flat

Leave the city behind for an eight-hour run along Arizona’s historic Apache Trail. This small-group tour combines narrow, scenic driving with a narrated Dolly Steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake and stops at Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat.

Apache Junction, Arizona•

8 hours

•By Adventure Collective•October 2025

The Experience

You pull away from Phoenix before the sun has fully warmed the pavement and, within an hour, the city’s flat horizon gives up to serrated ridgelines and scrub-dotted slopes. The van threads into the original Apache Trail—Arizona’s first designated Historic Highway—where the road tightens, hairpins appear, and the Superstition Mountains loom like worked stone. Dust lifts in the wake of the custom van; leather captain’s chairs make the hours feel shorter, but the landscape is what keeps you watching.

Before You Go

Confirm pickup one week ahead

You must call the local operator at least one week before departure to confirm pickup location and time; tours booked late may require a different meeting point.

Bring sun protection and water

Desert sun is intense—carry a 1–2 liter water bottle, SPF 30+ sunscreen, and a brimmed hat even on cooler days.

Wear stable shoes

Expect short walks on uneven ground at Goldfield and Tortilla Flat—closed-toe hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers are best.

Prepare for narrow roads

The Apache Trail has tight switchbacks; if you get motion sick, bring medication and choose a seat near the front of the van.

Local Knowledge

Hidden Gems

•Lu Lu’s Bordello at Goldfield—historic artifacts and quirky photo ops
•Small pullouts along the Apache Trail for unobstructed views of volcanic cliff faces and quiet desert washes

Wildlife

•Desert bighorn sheep
•Bald eagle

Conservation Note

The Sonoran Desert is fragile—stay on established paths, pack out trash, and avoid disturbing wildlife; water consumption and respect for local flora are critical.

The Apache Trail follows routes used by Apache people and later became a miners’ and construction route tied to the Roosevelt Dam and early 20th-century development.

Photographer's Notes

Best times:Morning light, Golden hour, Late afternoon

Key viewpoints:

• From the Dolly Steamboat facing the 1,300-ft volcanic cliffs
• Main street of Goldfield Ghost Town for vintage structures
• Tortilla Flat vantage points overlooking washes and distant ridgelines

Subjects to capture:Desert landscapes and cliff faces, Wildlife like bighorn sheep and raptors, Historic mining structures and ghost-town details

What to Bring

✓

Reusable water bottleEssential

Stay hydrated in the dry Sonoran climate—bottled water is provided but extra is wise.

✓

Broad-brim hat & sunscreenEssential

Protects against intense sun during the long exposed stretches of the trail and on the boat.

✓

Sturdy closed-toe shoesEssential

Needed for uneven surfaces at ghost-town stops and short shoreline walks.

○

Binoculars or telephoto lens

Useful for spotting bighorn sheep, eagles, and for capturing distant cliff faces from the Dolly Steamboat.

Common Questions

Where does the tour depart and is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered within a broad Phoenix zone but not guaranteed for every hotel; you must confirm your pickup location with the operator at least one week before your date.

How long is the boat cruise on Canyon Lake?

The narrated Dolly Steamboat cruise lasts about 1.5 hours and covers roughly six miles with scenic cliff and wildlife viewing.

Is this tour suitable for young children or people with mobility issues?

Minimum age is 3; children under 8 require a child seat/booster (not provided). Foldable wheelchairs or walkers can be accommodated if you notify the supplier in advance.

What happens if the tour is canceled for insufficient passengers?

If minimum numbers aren’t met you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund; the policy also requires 24-hour cancellation for a refund on customer cancellations.