Desert Drives

CarShop is new to Scottsdale, Arizona. And like anyone moving to a new town, we're exploring the area - and making delightful new discoveries. If you live around Scottsdale, get 2022 off to a faster start with a half dozen of our new favorites!

1. The Dolly Steamboat

In the heart of the Superstition Mountains lies Canyon Lake, a spectacular 10-mile-long stretch of water shared by desert bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and - of all things -- an old-fashioned steamboat. The Dolly Steamboat is part of a cruising tradition that goes back almost a hundred years, and your captain will tell you about legends and lore that go back even further. Scenic nature cruises last 90 minutes and will set you back $25 a head, but you might want to splurge on a romantic 2.5-hour Twilight Dinner Cruise, which sets sail at 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. If you're interested in stars, once a month, there's also an Astronomy Dinner Cruise. 

16802 AZ-88
Tortilla Flat, AZ 85117
Dollysteamboat.com

Recommended vehicle: CarShop Certified vehicles are just a few years old, but they're as much fun to get into as the venerable Dolly Steamboat... and you can't match our guarantees. 

2. Goldfield Ghost Town

Back in the 1890's, Goldfield was a booming mining town with a gold mine, three saloons, a boarding house, a general store, a brewery, a schoolhouse and more. Today, it's pretty much as it was - though a little worse for wear, and undoubtedly a little more civilized. Among the attractions - a narrow gauge railroad, which chugs on a 20 minute journey around the town; an underground guided tour of the Goldfield Mine; a staged gunfight every hour from high noon to 4 pm, and (just so you see that improvements have been made in the last 100 years) a zipline. A terrific place to take the kids. 

4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd. 
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Goldfieldghosttown.com

Recommended vehicle: No matter how many kids you have, CarShop stocks full-size SUVs and vans that can fit the whole family. 

3. Desert Botanical Garden 

The beautiful deserts around Phoenix and Scottsdale extend for miles, but if you want the highlight reel, the Desert Botanical Garden is the place to go. With a series of little nature trails, none of them longer than a third of a mile, you'll capture the beauty of the desert and its people, all before you enjoy lunch (or brunch or a cocktail) at Gertrude's, an award-winning fresh foodie kind of place. If you go, don't miss the current special exhibit featuring work by the legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly; Chihuly in the Desert showcases his stunning large-scale glass artworks among an equally impressive collection of desert plants. Masks and reservations in advance are required; Chihuly in the Desert is an additional charge.

1201 N. Galvin Parkway 
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Dbg.org

Recommended vehicle: How about something classy? The collection of luxury models CarShop stocks might surprise you. 

4. McDowell Mountain Regional Park

A desert jewel in the Northeast Valley, McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a short 30-minute drive from Scottsdale and is practically a sampler platter of the natural delights of the area. Over 50 miles of multi-use trails cover the 20,000+-acre park, offering spectacular views of surrounding mountains and the occasional glimpse of wildlife such as javelina, birds and coyotes. Rangers offer regular interpretive hikes, mostly on weekends, many of them nice for families. Don't forget your drinking water and hiking shoes!

16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive
MMRP, AZ 85268
McDowell Mountain Park

Recommended vehicle: To get you to the trailhead, nothing beats an SUV. CarShop has just about every make and model. 

5. Superstition Mountain Museum

The Superstition Mountains lie just east of Phoenix and are filled with old-West lore. Starting in the late 1960's, local resident and area expert Tom Kollenborn and his friend Larry Hendrick began discussing building a museum and historical society; today that dream has been realized in a fun, eclectic and mostly outdoor museum that just keeps growing. If you've got time at 2 pm on many Thursday afternoons, bring a lawn chair and sunscreen and take in one of the free lectures on varied topics (Mexican Artistry, Frontier Women, a History of Snake-oil Salesmen, various area mines) that may give you inspiration for additional trips. 

4087 E. Apache Trail
Highway 88
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Superstition Mountain Museum

Recommended vehicle: How about a pickup truck? CarShop always stocks a nice selection - Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC, Toyota, you name it.

6. Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive 

Feel like just getting out for a drive, but aren't sure exactly where? You can't do better than the Oak Creek Scenic Drive, which is a couple hours north of Scottsdale, and follows AZ-89A from south of Flagstaff and into Sedona. Once an old cattle trail, it's beautiful enough to have been the state's first scenic road! There are plenty of scenic overlooks, but if you feel moved to take a hike in the surrounding countryside, you'll need a Red Rock Pass. If you want other great drives, check out the excellent list put together by Susan Lanier-Graham linked below. 

Highway AZ-89A
Flagstaff to Sedona
Susan Lanier-Graham

Recommended vehicle: Convertibles. Cars with panoramic moonroofs. Kia Sedonas. CarShop has just about every make and model.