About Arizona Outback Adventures
Arizona Outback Adventures — known locally as AOA — is Scottsdale's most established multi-sport outfitter, offering guided mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and road cycling tours across the Sonoran Desert and surrounding mountain ranges since 1997. Based in north Scottsdale near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, AOA has spent nearly three decades building an intimate knowledge of the desert trails, canyons, and waterways that most visitors would never find on their own. Their guides are certified Wilderness First Responders with deep expertise in desert ecology, geology, and backcountry navigation.
The tour menu spans half-day and full-day adventures across multiple disciplines. Mountain bike tours range from beginner-friendly desert singletrack on the Brown's Ranch trails to technical descents through the McDowell Mountains. Guided hikes explore the saguaro-studded landscapes of the Preserve, Pinnacle Peak, and the Superstition Mountains. Kayak tours on the Lower Salt River and Saguaro Lake put guests on the water with desert bighorn sheep, wild horses, and bald eagles as a backdrop. Road cycling tours follow the scenic routes through Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, and the Beeline Highway. All tours include snacks, water, and equipment.
AOA's reputation rests on guide quality and personalisation. Every tour is customised to the group's fitness level and interests — they don't run cookie-cutter routes. With thousands of five-star reviews and recognition as a National Geographic Adventure-recommended outfitter, AOA sets the standard for guided outdoor experiences in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area.
