Things to Do in Black Canyon City Arizona
Take a Black Canyon day tour to kayak and raft along the river with a guide. You can also opt for a twilight kayak tour that includes a sunset paddle and campfire cooking. Desert Wolf Tours offers top-ranked Arizona ATV tours. Drive the powerful Tomcar military-grade ATV and try your hand at shooting on a unique ATV Tour & Machine Gun Adventure.
Black Canyon Heritage Park
The community of Black Canyon City and Anthem is brimming with exhilarating adventures and hidden gems. Whether you’re an adrenaline seeker or a family-friendly traveler, this article covers everything from the majestic canyons to the charming Daisy Mountain Railroad. From the sandstone cliffs to the lush riparian habitats, Black Canyon Heritage Park is a unique Desert symphony. The preserve’s from-the-ground-up preservation effort began in 2006, when local residents Phil and Jean Albins donated the land to the Black Canyon City Community Association.
Park stewards are dedicated to cultivating environmentally appropriate native species and hosting educational programs for local school kids and the community. The preserve is also a Monarch Waystation and supports Audubon Arizona’s River Pathways, an award-winning high school program that connects students to nature through hands-on conservation work. In February, Black Canyon Heritage Park will open a new trail thanks to a $5,000 grant from REI and sweat equity by local volunteers. The trail will give River Pathways students access to a larger variety of native plants as part of one of their field trips.
Black Canyon National Recreation Trail
Whether you prefer to explore by foot or four wheels, Black Canyon National Recreation Trail is a top destination. This park offers a variety of accessible nature trails that lead to scenic spots for a tranquil walk or a picnic, along with the onsite Visitor Center where you can learn more about this remarkable natural area and its significant environmental conservation efforts.
The Black Canyon Trail Coalition has worked hard to scratch out a world-class single-track through open desert and up rocky slopes, and their efforts have paid off. The trail has been recognized as a National Recreation Trail, an honor bestowed to routes that demonstrate a significant impact on local outdoor recreation, tourism and economic development.
If you prefer to explore by wheel, hop aboard a Tomcar military-grade ATV with Desert Wolf Tours for a unique group adventure. This ATV & Machine Gun Adventure includes a once-in-a-lifetime chance to shoot fully automatic machine guns in the Sonoran Desert.
Mountain Biking
The 80-mile Black Canyon Trail (BCT) is a national recreation trail of historic significance and provides mountain bikers an exhilarating backcountry experience. This trail features challenging terrain including rough, unstable soils and rocks and varying trail grades in the harsh desert climate. The BCT showcases stunning Sonoran Desert landscapes ranging from saguaro forests to rugged canyons.
Mountain biking on the BCT can be done in a single day as each segment of the trail can be completed independently. However, some bikers choose to stage a vehicle at the end of their desired adventure (such as the Gloriana Access Point) and then ride their bike back to where they started their tour.
Kayaking
The Colorado River is a great place to get outdoors and paddle. The Black Canyon Water Trail can be done in a day trip or as a multi-day camping adventure. The most popular paddle is to Willow Beach, where there is a full service marina and a parking lot.
