A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE AND GIFT TO REMEMBER
Looking for a unique holiday outing or a memorable gift idea? A cruise aboard the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake offers both.
Whether you are treating yourself, surprising loved ones, or planning a festive gathering, this experience combines breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, and unforgettable moments. It is the kind of gift that lingers in memory long after the wrapping paper is gone. Canyon Lake is home to the Dolly Steamboat.
President Theodore Roosevelt once declared that the Apache Trail and surrounding areas, “combine the grandeur of the Alps and the glory of the Rockies.” Siblings Jeff Grimh and Cindi DeLoseur have proudly owned and operated the Dolly Steamboat since October 1987, now beginning their 38th year of business.
“Our goal is to offer guests an unforgettable experience of geological and natural wonders, as the captain recounts the legends and lore of the Superstition Mountains,” says Cindi.
Cruisers often spot bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and other wildlife during tours. Guests can choose from
Twilight Dinner Cruises (two hours), Nature Cruises (one and a half hours), Astronomy Cruises (two hours), and the annual Bighorn Sheep Cruise hosted by Arizona Game and Fish. Private charters, wedding cruises, and corporate events are also available.
Known as Arizona’s “Junior Grand Canyon,” the Dolly Steamboat is Coast Guard approved, with all staff trained in vessel emergency procedures. Visitors marvel as they travel along the historic Apache Trail — Arizona’s first designated historic highway — through the Tonto National Forest, where nature reveals one of its most awe-inspiring panoramas.
For more information, visit dollysteamboat.com or call (480) 827-9144 to make reservations.
ALL ABOARD FOR HOLIDAY MAGIC ON THE DESERT BELLE
Get ready to kick off the festive season in style with a one-of-a-kind Christmas cruise on the Desert Belle on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
Step onto the Desert Belle and enjoy front-row seats to the dazzling Parade of Lights on Saguaro Lake. As the Desert Belle leads the parade, you’ll be swept up in the holiday spirit with cheerful Christmas music, delicious drink specials, and sparkling views of the lights and Saguaro Lake.
John Waldron, managing director of the Desert Belle, promises, “A fun experience for everyone aboard.” Whether you’re celebrating with family or friends, this is the perfect way to make magical memories.
Surrounded by Arizona’s iconic multi-colored sandstone mountains, the Desert Belle cruises the waters of Saguaro Lake.
Besides the holiday event, guests can choose from a variety of excursions, including an 80-minute tour narrated by a U.S. Coast Guard certified captain who describes the history, geology, geography, and wildlife native to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, almost all of which you see while you enjoy the sunshine and fresh air from the wide open-air upper deck of the Desert Belle.
Plan to see bald eagles, desert bighorn sheep, wild horses, deer, and bobcats, all of which are known to make Saguaro Lake their home.
The lower deck has an open-air front deck and an enclosed lower cabin, which is climate-controlled and handicap accessible. The cruise is perfect for guests of all ages with a gentle disembarking and graceful, relaxing tour cruising speeds. There are also two bathrooms on board for your comfort.
The onboard walk-up snack bar features water, soda, beer, wine, and cocktails for purchase. Visa, MasterCard, or American Express are accepted at the walk-up ticket booth and snack bar. Cash is not accepted.
Spots fill up fast — reserve yours today at desertbelle.com or call (480) 984-2425. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable holiday adventure!