If you’re looking for a great and thrilling adventure in Phoenix, Arizona, you’ve come to the right city. In addition to opportunities you may find in other cities, Phoenix’s interesting geography gives it a few more opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime, heart-pounding thrills. Here are four adrenaline-pumping adventures in the Phoenix area.
White Water Rafting in the Colorado River
One of the nation’s greatest national treasures is the Grand Canyon, which is just a few hours north of Phoenix. Here you can book an unforgettable whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River. Your mettle will be tested as you face some of the most breathtaking rapids in the country. There are also several calm areas of the river where you can take in views of the canyon from a different perspective. Tours fill quickly, so if you are interested in this adventure, book early.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Heading in the opposite direction and facing incredible heights provides the perfect juxtaposition to a Colorado River adventure. You can take a ride in a hot air balloon any time of the year thanks to the predictable Phoenix weather. During winter months, several companies offer sunset rides, which allow you to see the awe-inspiring desert sunsets from the skies. Typical tours are between three and four hours total and include about an hour of flying time.
Stay at a Dude Ranch
If you’re looking for an off-the-grid vacation, staying at a ranch and taking part in some of its activities is a great way to create amazing memories. A Dude Rank, you can connect yourself to the western culture down to almost every level as you practice roping cattle and ride horses through a desert trail to herd wandering cattle. Your room may not have a TV, but you can expect to find a good internet signal. However, when you’re on the trail, don’t expect such a luxury.
If you’re looking for a horseback riding experience without the accommodations or expectations, several Phoenix tour companies offer horseback trail rides. With either option, you’re bound to stir up some excitement.
Go Sky Diving
Skydiving is available pretty much everywhere in the country, so if you’re looking for an experience unique to the Phoenix area, you should probably look elsewhere. That being said, if jumping out of an airplane several thousand feet in the air doesn’t bring you the ultimate thrill, we’re sorry, you’ll have to wait for residential space travel.
For those who haven’t jumped out of a plane yet, Phoenix is a great place to do it since its mild and consistent flying weather make it more accessible. Just about everyone is scared leading up to the jump, even if you thought you wouldn’t be, but after you’ve jumped and experienced falling for a moment, the fear subsides and the exciting thrills set in.
Phoenix is an amazing place to have a thrill-seeking vacation. Opportunities for adventure can be found high and low, whether you’re hiking a mountain, jumping out of a plane, or riding a horse through a desert trail.
“31” via Flickr by farmboyz. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
