After Dark Desert Tour and Navigating the Night Sky

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Scottsdale, USA

3 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Discover the stars above the desert of Arizona on a 3-hour walking tour at night that departs from Scottsdale. Get away from the light pollution of the city when you enter the desert, and learn from your guide about basic astronomy and ancient navigation traditions of local indigenous peoples. Telescopes and binoculars are provided for better viewing, along with black lights and flashlights for the walk.

Insightful commentary shared by the guide
Telescopes, flashlights, and snacks are provided
Easy walking tour suitable for most people
See more stars and planets from the desert

What's Included

Water
Juice
Arizona Tea
Fresh Fruit
Nuts
Snack Bars

Not Applicable

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We can pick up at just about any hotel in the Phoenix area.

Itinerary

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not Applicable
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Service animals allowed
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Gail_H

Absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish. Dave is warm and engaging with lots of facts and tidbit on our way to and from. The trail walk is beautiful and easy to navigate-afterwards he pulled out chairs and even a cot to view the stars from different view points with binoculars-amazing what you can see!! Brought some of his family “pets” for us to meet which was amazing as well. All kinds of knowledge about the stars and constellations-absolutely will do again!!

Reviews

4.9

based on 20 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Magnificent evening

Valerie_S, Oct 2025

We highly recommend this tour with Dave as you will receive a plethora of information of Phoenix and its surrounding areas, the transformation it’s taken through the past 40 years and prior. From the land forms, native vegetation and peoples, spotting of wildlife to a layout of the night sky with special viewing of the moon through a telescope, this excursion was most over the top worth it for the experience. If we have have the fortune of visiting Phoenix again with others members of the family we’ll return once again. Dave even picked us up at and returned us to our resort. You can expect a wealth of knowledge to be shared with you.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Valerie, I can't thank you enough. It was my pleasure to meet you both and hope to see you again. Safe travels and have fun, David

Telescopes

Fayyaz_K, Apr 2025

This was a good tour, David was nice. He explained many things. We had a good time. my only reservation was that the tour mentioned use of telescopes and binoculars. Telescopes were not given to us or used at all. I even asked for it and was given an excuse. My only suggestion is that if you do not intend to use telescopes, then you guys should remove “telescopes” from the tour description.

Holy Smokes - way better...

JOHN_A, Feb 2025

Holy Smokes - way better than what we were expecting! David is a wealth of local and state knowledge and was very focused on insuring that we had a top notch experience. It was so much more than just a night sky experience. We were picked up right on time in a comfortable late model suburban and Offered beverages immediately. Then we were on our way to the Superstition Mountains. He toured us around the most amazing natural sites sharing new and unique insights about AZ, its landscape, and relevant history. David even drove us through a Ghost Town. Once it was dark, we went to a stargazing spot where he oriented us to the night skies and provided cots and blankets so we could lie down and look up. He also set up chairs facing the direction of the seasons shooting stars. Binoculars were shared with us as were more stories, snacks and drinks. When we were ready he finished the evening by sharing more insights about Arizona as he drove us back to our hotel. It was a wonderful excursion and a significant highlight of our week in AZ.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Wow, Thank you for the kind words. I hope to share more with you in the future.

100% recommend!!

Gail_H, Feb 2025

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you so much!! It was a pleasure spending the night with you all. I hope we get to share more in the future. David

Highly Recommend!

B_R, Jan 2025

Great experience. Learned a lot about Scottsdale and the desert, The critters David brought made the experience really cool. Beautiful starry sky!

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you very much for the kind words. It was a pleasure meeting the two of you. Come see me again and we will go for a hike. David

Sureal experience

Rene_A, Dec 2024

Dave is such a wonderful host and guide. He thinks of everything to ensure you comfort, safety and an all round outstanding experience. Not only did we have a sureal experience navigating the night sky and celestial features we we sounded by Dave's deep knowledge of the desert flora and fauna. Thanks, Dave for being the highlight of our Scottsdale vacation.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you so much! You guys were fun to be with and I hope we get to share more in the future.

Incredible Experience of Arizona

Ashley_S, Oct 2022

This was our favorite activity of our entire trip!! It was an incredible experience. Dave is a true professional and is beyond talented in his field. Not only is it educational but offers such an incredible perspective on life. We will be back with our kids for sure!! Could not recommend booking enough!!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Wow! Thank you. I had fun meeting you both and look forward to sharing Arizona with your family. Until then, have fun.

Romantic evening

Jennifer, Apr 2022

Dave was so knowledgeable about Arizona’s history and landscape. It was a lovely evening of star gazing.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

It was a pleasure to meet you both and I look forward to an opportunity to share more of Arizona with you.

Green Bay Packer fans visiting the desert

Tanya_T, Oct 2021

A MUST Do when visiting Arizona!!! David was an AMAZING tour guide. He knew a plethora of knowledge about the state and surrounding terrain. Once we arrived to our designated area he set up food and drinks and he shared with us some creepy crawlers that he asked if he could bring along. Once the stars came out to play it was a sight to see. He gave us binoculars and set up a telescope in order for us to experience seeing Jupiter and its moons and Ring's of Saturn up close and personal. We felt completely safe on our journey and enjoyed his personality.

Response from Host, Nov 2021

It was a great evening! Thank you for the review. I hope to share more with you in the future. The football game was fun too! Have fun and leave only footprints. David

Engaging and enjoyable experience

Jenny_H, Jun 2021

Had a wonderful time hearing history of Scottsdale, local Indian tribes, creatures, agriculture, and the beautiful night skies. Very knowledgeable and engaging guide. UFO siting unconfirmed but we like to think we saw it.

So glad we took this tour

Young_K, Apr 2021

What an unforgettable experience! We were picked up by David, who knows everything there is to know about Arizona. We did an easy desert hike and got to experience the uniqueness of the area. He was able to show us everything to see in the night sky. The stars in that area were spectacular. Throughout, David was patient and easygoing. Ever since we have gotten home, my 10 year old son (who is not the easiest kid to engage with) wants to tell everyone about our tour. He even said that our guide was "cool" (which I agree with).

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Wow! Thank you! It was a beautiful evening and it was a pleasure sharing it with you and your family. Best wishes! Stay healthy and safe. Have fun!!

Sonoran Desert Night

Mandy_L, Oct 2020

David was so nice and knowledgeable. He gave us a lot of history tidbits along with a greater understanding of the starry sky!

Response from Host, Oct 2020

Thank you so much! It was a pleasure to spend the evening with you all. I hope our paths cross again soon. Have fun! Stay safe.

Stars o ertje desert

Bob_R, May 2020

We really enjoyed getting out into the Sonoran desert away from Phoenix to see the stars. David was thoroughly knowledgeable and patient as we peppered him with questions. He also brought along a few reptillian friends to show us. This was a very enjoyable experience and I highly recommend it. Bob Riley

Response from Host, May 2020

Thank you Riley family! I love all the questions. I look forward to an opportunity to share more of Arizona with you all. Safe travels.

Wonderous Night Sky

RCS, Mar 2020

My husband and I really enjoyed this experience. It was exciting to listen to the wild life in the Superstition Mountains and watch the constellations and other stars come out as the night sky got darker. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and made the experience a worthwhile and meaningful trip! I would highly recommend it!

Night sky like no other

Todd_L, Feb 2020

An amazing experience! We saw Venus, Uranus, Polaris, and many, many constellations in a clear night sky. Dave, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and a phenomenal driver- didn’t hit one boulder driving in the desert. He showed us a meteorite. He even waited while we got ice cream for the kids on our way back to the hotel.

Likely to Sell Out