Some vacations captivate your heart and make you think “I could live here.” If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you will never want to leave Scottsdale, Arizona. 

 

With more luxurious spas and resorts per capita than anywhere else in the U.S., you don’t have to set up residence to enjoy the splendor of Scottsdale. Just visit often and try a new thrilling activity and hotel each time you come. That’s what we did. 

ADERO SCOTTSDALE RESORT

Nestled in a canyon separating Scottsdale from nearby Fountain Hills, Arizona, ADERO Scottsdale Resort is the best place to watch the sun rise and set. The views are unobstructed. In the mornings, the sun ascends in the east, beyond the luscious resort pools and pickleball courts. The sun goes down in the west beyond the neighboring McDowell Mountains. Galileo telescopes are accessible throughout the resort for guests to gaze high into the clear sky above 55,000 acres of desert. ADERO Scottsdale is the only Autograph Collection hotel in a certified Dark Sky Community. The solitude of the luxurious resort is met with the company of nature. ADERO is environmentally friendly, providing guests with souvenir water bottles to fill with on-tap filtered water and on-tap sparkling water at the elevator entrance on each of the resort’s six floors. ADERO Scottsdale Resort is a 177-room award-winning boutique resort.

TAKE A HIKE

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a protected area of land consisting of Scottsdale’s

McDowell Mountains and Sonoran Desert. The Preserve offers more than 230 miles and 35,500 acres of captivating mountainous terrain. A short walk from ADERO takes guests to the trailhead of Sunrise Trail East. This 4-mile out-and-back hike will have you questioning why, in the past, you always and only frequented Camelback Mountain while in Scottsdale. The views of the city and Arizona’s famed Four Peaks from the top are worth the challenging trek to the summit. Trail runners will enjoy that about half of this trail can be run. The other half will be some climbing and scrambling.

TRAIL RUNNING

Preparation on the Sunrise East Trail and guest-exclusive ADERO Scottsdale Trail (a 0.6 mile beginner-level loop that can be used for trail runners practicing stride length and quick turnover) can be lead-up work to one of Arizona’s competitive late-fall trail running races.

The McDowell Mountain Frenzy is a narrow and fast trail race in nearby McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The course is technical with some thrilling descents and tricky roots to dodge. There is drone video media coverage of the race. The coveted top overall males and females in each race distance receive ceremonial podium spots and hardware. There is a race distance for every fitness level: 5-Mile, 10-Mile, 25K (“Sonoran Desert Cup”), 50K or 50-Mile. All race distances are well marked and well supported with hydration stations. 

Two tiptop tidbits: 1. Lineup at the front of the pack if you are a highly conditioned, fast trail runner. The single-track course is too narrow to easily pass. If you dillydally pre-race and start near the caboose, you’ll be held back with traffic jams and no way around sans cactus. 2. There’s a really big downhill towards the end. It’s wild and will catch everyone else by surprise.

The rolling hills, saguaro (suh-waa-roo) cactus, bighorn sheep, dry desert air and this clean, unmistakable running route make this trail race different from anything in the Lone Star State and very much worth the trip to Scottsdale.
Register NOW for the 2025 McDowell Mountain Frenzy and secure early bird pricing (through May 31) for the Saturday, December 6 event.

Saddle Up for Spring

Springtime calls cyclists to the Sonoran Desert. 

I enjoy road biking. My husband prefers mountain biking. The pursuit of happiness led neither of us to the other’s side, but landed us both on a saddle. We returned to Scottsdale spring 2025 for the Tour de Scottsdale charity road bike ride and guide-led mountain biking excursion, respectively.

Tour de Scottsdale

The glory of taking in Scottsdale’s beauty from the vantage point of a bicycle cannot be overstated. The Tour de Scottsdale journeyed riders through 30 or 62-mile (100K~ “Metric Century”) route options. This recreational but meaningful event required a nominal registration fee with no fundraising obligation but many philanthropic opportunities. The 2025 event raised funds for 29 different charities. Those charities are listed here. For the second year in a row, the event was co-presented by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. 

Two tiptop tidbits: 1. Make this a ride, not a race. There are thousands of fellow riders. For your safety, take your time and enjoy the mountainous views and the super-fun canyon drops when you ride past ADERO Scottsdale Resort around mile 50. 2. Do the longer distance option. The most scenic segments of the ride are past mile 30. You have a full year to prepare for 2026. You can ride an e-bike, recumbent bike, or even an elliptical bike! But consider committing to the longer of the two distance options.

The 2026 date has not yet been announced. Stay tuned for updates at www.TourdeScottsdale.org.

Bike Logistics

If traveling from Texas for the Tour de Scottsdale, you have three choices. You can disassemble your bike and put it in an expensive hard-shell case for bike transportation then haul that monstrosity to the airport like a dead body. You can ship the bike and risk damage in transit. Or you can rent a bike in your size with pedals of your choice at Cliff Creek Outfitters, one of the largest bike rental companies in the Southwest. The latter is the way to go (one thousand percent!). 

The Trek Emonda SL7 Disc – 54cm bike that I rented from Cliff Creek Outfitters had bluetooth-enabled shifters, so there were no cables. The smooth transition between gears was instantaneous with a simple finger-tap. The bike fit me perfectly and cost a fraction of what it would have to work out the logistics of hauling my own bike. (I liked their bike better than my $$$$ Italian carbon bike back home!) The process of retrieving the rental bike couldn’t have been easier. Cliff Creek Outfitters is located just over a mile from WestWorld, the packet pick-up location for the Tour de Scottsdale. A complimentary helmet rental spared me the burden of having to stuff a helmet into my luggage. Cliff Creek Outfitters works collaboratively with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, a partner of the Tour de Scottsdale.

Mountain Biking

Cliff Creek Outfitters offers far more than bike rentals. For guided hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking or paddleboarding, they not only offer it all, but they selectively recruit the area’s most esteemed subject matter experts to serve as trip guides. Cliff Creek Outfitters was established in 1984 and hails a 39-year spotless safety record.

My husband, an experienced mountain biker and cycling merit badge counselor for Boy Scouts of America Troop 161 was eager to learn from a Cliff Creek Outfitters guide on the ins and outs of mountain biking Pima Dynamite Trailhead. His guide, Tim, met him at the arranged meeting spot, equipped with a mountain bike rental, helmet, waters, sunscreen, fruit and granola bars. Over the course of 2 hours, Tim provided education on desert flora and fauna and challenged my husband to a mountain biking workout curated to his fitness level and experience. Pima Dynamite Trailhead straddles between Scottsdale and the desert. It is a gateway into the 230 miles of multi-use trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. A guided mountain biking tour in the trusted hands of a Cliff Creek Outfitters guide is unequivocally the way to explore this area’s mountainous trails on two wheels. Guides have wilderness medicine certifications as well as current CPR and First Aid.

Fairmount Scottsdale Princess

Tour de Scottsdale annually starts at 7am. I did not want to be late and miss the lead of 3,000 cyclists getting underway. The 62-mile bike ride simply has to get started early for riders’ safety. (Triple-digit temperatures were forecasted by afternoon!) There are few things more comforting before an event than lodging close to starting grounds. 

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a AAA Five Diamond luxury resort located a brief bike-ride distance from WestWorld, the starting line of the Tour de Scottsdale.

 

Within the past decade, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess completed a $60 million renovation. The resort boasts six heated outdoor swimming pools, including family-friendly Sonoran Splash with twin amusement park-worthy waterslides. This family-friendly resort houses 750 guest rooms, making it, by far, the largest resort on our itinerary (and one of the largest we’ve stayed, ever!).

What makes luxury resorts shine like diamonds is when elevated touches make their way to the guest rooms, not just in the common areas. It’s about beds and bedding; Nespresso not Keurig; poodle-soft Turkish towels and robes; environmentally-conscious plastic-reducing water. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess royally reigns for lavish in-room amenities. 

With airy feather down comforters, firm-for-the-back / soft-for-the-soul mattresses and high thread count sheets, the bedding was fit for a princess. Sleep can make or break athletic performance. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess set us up for cycling success.

Sonoran Explorin’

Events like the McDowell Mountain Frenzy and Tour de Scottsdale are organized athletic functions where the chances of you encountering critters or cacti that catch you off guard are relatively slim. But if you’re like me, you’re not going to go anywhere just for structured events.

Squirrely, adventurous types will find no shortage of ways to create-your-own fun in Scottsdale. A few of my solo adventures included trail running Pinnacle Peak, hiking Black Mountain Trail, ascending the “outdoor Stairmaster:” Piestewa Peak and free climbing boulders at Boulders Resort and Spa.

DIY outdoor activities can land you a whole lot of fun or in a whole lot of trouble. The outcome depends on your preparation.

Cactus Jack, a guide for Boulder’s Resort & Spa, started my Sonoran Explorin’ tour with two dozen laminated, labeled images of critters I should be on the look-out for while scratching my curious itches in the desert. There were cute Harris Antelope Squirrels, commonly confused for chipmunks. There were speedy-quick roadrunners. Good gosh almighty, there was a gigantic rattlesnake! Cactus Jack said rattlesnakes are very common in the Sonoran Desert. He advised that if you hear the signature rattle sound, do not back up. Be still and look behind you. Ensure that part of the snake is not behind you. If the area behind you is clear, slowly back up. 

Boulders Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton

Boulders Resort & Spa is an off-the-grid sanctuary. It is nestled in the northernmost Scottsdale map dot. It earns its place at the top.

Opening its doors to guests 40 years ago, Boulders Resort & Spa was the first ultra-luxury resort in the greater Scottsdale area. Architect Bob Bacon used the inspiration of the Pueblo and Hogan styles to create a look that blends effortlessly with the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the weathered granite rocks.

The resort was the vision of Laurence Rockefeller and Rusty Lyon to “create an exhilarating desert place, a landscape where man-made architecture would be subordinate to the natural environment, a setting where people could interact in an easy harmony with nature.” Few resorts in the world match the natural beauty of this property, named for the 12 million-year-old formations that dot the landscape. Travel + Leisure Magazine named it “Best Hotel in Arizona.” Conde Nast listed it among “Top 10 Resorts in the Southwest.” The natural beauty of Boulders speaks for itself. The other thing- that involves a club, tee, ball and cart- requires elaboration.

Boulders Resort & Spa is the best place to golf in Arizona. As an outdoor enthusiast and frequent Scottsdale, Arizona traveler, I have seen good golf courses. I have seen great golf courses. Boulders Resort & Spa is one of the finest golf resorts in the world! There are two 18-hole, championship golf courses designed by Jay Morrish and known for their rugged beauty and breathtaking desert panoramas. The courses have won some of the industry’s

highest accolades, including “#1 Best Golf Course” by Ranking Arizona Magazine, “Best 10 Golf Resorts in the U.S.” by Cigar Aficionado and “America’s Best Courses Award” by Golfweek. Try to find a more demanding course in the Southwest. You won’t. If golfing is to you what trail running and cycling are to me, this 219-room (composed of casitas and villas) resort is the place you must stay in the Sonoran Desert.

ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY, ACTIVITY, SPA

We visited three spas while in Scottsdale, AZ. These are the upper echelon of spa experiences in the desert. Here’s where you need to go and why you need to go there.

The Spa at ADERO was my go-to spot of respite after competing in nearby McDowell Mountain Frenzy Trail Run. Like many outdoor activities, trail running takes a toll on the feet, muscles and connective tissue. Anyone who moves somewhat intensely in nature will benefit from a CBD Bliss Massage at The Spa at ADERO. (My LMT’s name was Alyssa.) Price starts at $229.

Well & Being at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess was my salve after the Tour de Scottsdale bike ride. This is the largest and most luxurious spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. With the newly-opened (February 2025) rooftop pool, word is out! This spa is the place to be in Scottsdale. Weekends are popular. If sharing community space with company isn’t your cup of tea, consider booking a service near the end of the day (the spa is open until 8pm) or opting for a weekday. Women will appreciate that the cold plunge at Well & Being isn’t quite as cold as the 15 degree Celsius mark that defines “cold water.” Research suggests that women may not need water as cold as men to deliver all the same benefits. Enjoy the athletic and somatic benefits of cold water therapy without the intense cold shock. I received a Himalayan Salt Stone Massage service. Himalayan Crystal Salt offers mineral content that is absorbed by the body. Warm stones soothe achy muscles and pacify a hyper-sensitive nervous system. (My LMT’s name was Misty.) Price starts at $225. (For an additional $65, add CBD oil and take the remaining oil home with you!)

Spa at The Boulders was my hydrotherapy after hiking. Boulders Resort & Spa offers this elevated oasis while staying true to Native American influences. A labyrinth offers a complex and circuitous path that leads from a beginning point to a center. Labrinths were found on ancient petroglyphs! An authentic tipi is on site and used for setting intention, reflection and release with a simple cleansing ritual and sage smudging stick. For a spa service that blends traditional massage techniques with the age-old water therapy (predating Hippocrates) I just had to try Watsu. The Spa at Boulders Resort & Spa is the only place in Scottsdale to get this service. Watsu uses adjustable thigh and calf floats. A specialized LMT supports the core and upper body while guiding fluid movement, applying pressure point massage and gently stretching the legs and back. Earplugs provide a barrier to the ear canal and the face stays above the water for the entirety of the service. Price starts at $245.

Pro Tips on Food

Athletes think in terms of fuel and training. Non-athletes call it diet and exercise. We think like athletes. When traveling, we seek out nourishment that is high in fiber and lean protein. 

We found unparalleled taste at Toro. It was one of those meals you’re still thinking about the next day. Toro features distinct flavors of South and Central America with ingredients rooted in the Japanese and Chinese Peruvian cultures. It was mindboggling that an avocado salad could be so artful and delicious. You’ll need a reservation, but Toro is a must for gastronomes. 

 

We found exceptional food and service at La Hacienda. At the time of our visit, a limited-time menu offered dishes with hints of honey. These novelty selections supported Chef Richard Sandoval’s Save the Bees charity, Viva Abejas. As coffee connoisseurs, after dinner we took our server, Jackson’s, advice to try the black coffee seeped overnight with cinnamon, vanilla bean and a few other natural flavors. It was the best cup of coffee either of us had ever had. 

Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurants are based out of Phoenix, Arizona. You’ll find the whole family of Fox Concepts’ in Scottsdale. For rainbow healthy farm-fresh fare, True Foods Kitchen consistently delivers. The Chinese chicken salad is poster food chemistry. Few restaurant dishes strike a perfect triune chord of fiber, lean protein and healthy fat. This order at True Foods Kitchen absolutely nails it. 

They say the youngest is often the favorite. The best sushi in town can be found in Old Town Scottsdale’s one-year-old James Beard-winning chef creation, Uchi.

Although a trip to Scottsdale will take some planning, Austinites can experience True Foods Kitchen at The Domain or 1st Street or Uchi on South Lamar at home in the ATX.

Pro Tips on Gear

For optimal trail running and cycling, you don’t need a bunch of stuff. You just need some high quality gear.

Trail running requires great socks, non-slip shoes that can absorb impact, a hydration pack and clothes that wick sweat. MudGear is “made tougher.” Tall compression socks by MudGear are head and shoulders above any other socks for trail running. You can’t go wrong with a pair of trail shoes with Vibram soles, like Hoka Speedgoats. For long trail runs, you’ll want a CamelBak pack with a large reservoir. For shorter runs, a running hydration vest with two small flasks will work. I like the Solomon S/Lab Pulsar 3. Apparel is personal. I race in MudGear compression shorts and MudGear’s new women’s sports bra. 

Cycling requires a bike, shoes compatible with the pedals, padded biker shorts or bib, hydration, a helmet and gloves. What’s more important than aluminum or carbon, cables or bluetooth and the many other choices that you’ll make with your bike purchase is that you get a bike that fits you. An ill-fitted bike will cause needless pain in the neck and back. If you’re just getting started, you may want to simply use cages on your pedals and ride in your tennis shoes. As you get more seasoned on the bike, you’ll want to clip into the pedals. Padded biker shorts will cushion the rear end. It’s important that you purchase quality padding so that the material doesn’t break down. I ride in this Life Time bib. For your safety, wear a helmet that is under 5 years old and has not been impacted by a crash. Gloves help to cushion your hands on long rides and also provide some protection from the road in the event of a fall.

Pro Tip on Travel

The best time to visit Scottsdale, Arizona is anytime. Trail run in the fall. Cycle in the spring. Lather up with some SPF and enjoy the warm Sonoran sun (and Vegas-worthy resort pools) in the summer. It’s always the best time to visit beautiful Scottsdale. With so many home run hitters in hospitality, you can explore a new property each visit and fall deeply in love with the city.

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Brook Benten and Daniel Jimenez are Austinites who met in 2005 over a mutual love of running. They have been married for 17 years and still take on Texas and beyond by run, trail, or bike. She road bikes; he mountain bikes, but they both come together- along with their 12 year old son- every Sunday morning to ride in Brook’s indoor cycling class at Life Time, Inc. Brook was awarded “Austin’s Fittest Fitness Professional” in 2012. She loves writing wellness articles, but as soon as the last period is typed, she’s out the door for an outdoor adventure.