ARIZONA’S ADVENTURE OASIS
Plan For Your Upcoming Adventures
We look forward to welcoming you to our desert oasis soon! To prepare for your upcoming adventures, we've outlined what to expect for weather, suggested clothing attire and FAQ's by guided activity.
Castle Hot Springs is located at the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, just 45 minutes outside of Phoenix metro area. Our ideal location is off the beaten path, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature. The 7-mile dirt road to our property is just the start to your adventure.
WEATHER & TEMPERATURES
What to Expect by Month
January is a great month to soak in the natural hot springs, day and night. Guests can expect chilly or cold weather in the mornings and evenings but abundant sunshine most afternoons.
Average Temperatures: 68°F / 46°F, Partly Cloudy, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
Spring begins early in in the Sonoran Desert starting mid-February. Enjoy the wilderness as flora start to bloom. Weather is mild overall but chilly mornings and evenings are expected.
Average Temperatures: 71°F / 49°F, Partly Cloudy, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
March is a spectacular time to visit Castle Hot Springs. The Sonoran Desert comes alive with blooming cacti and stunning green scenery. Soak in the hot springs with cool mornings and evenings which will leave you feeling rejuvenated.
Average Temperatures: 78°F / 54°F, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
April comes alive with beautiful vibrant scenery and sights for a relaxing stay. The weather boasts with sunny days and temperate nights making for an idyllic getaway.
Average Temperatures: 86°F / 61°F, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
May in central Arizona is bursting with beautiful sights and weather. Enjoy sunny and warm days where there is abundant sunshine all day long.
Average Temperatures: 95°F / 69°F, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
As Arizona heads into it’s summer season, guests can expect abundant sunshine and balmy nights — after all it’s a ‘dry heat’. There are plenty of activities and adventures available for mornings before the heat of the day. Relax in our resort pool which has food and drink service available at your leisure.
Average Temperatures: 105°F / 78°F, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
Please note, Castle Hot Springs’ seasonal closure is from early July through August.
Extend your summer season in the Sonoran Desert with temperate Fall days soaking up the sunshine. At Harvest, indulge as Fall flavors come alive from our on-property farm. The allure of the hot springs and crisp air make for the perfect combination during your stay.
Average Temperatures: 90°F / 65°F, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
As the summer heat dissipates, November welcomes the allure of the hot springs. Many activities and adventures are available throughout the day to enjoy. Enjoy al fresco dining on the terrace of Harvest or Bar 1896 for stunning views. Weather is mild overall but chilly mornings and evenings are expected.
Average Temperatures: 76°F / 53°F, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
The Sonoran Desert offers a mild climate to enjoy during these winter months. Weather is mild overall but chilly mornings and evenings are expected.
Average Temperatures: 66°F / 45°F, Partly Cloudy, Sunny
Clothing Recommendations
ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
Get Ready for Your Adventure
Review information about unique adventures and activities that'll help you prepare for your guided experience.
Adventure to new heights on Arizona’s only Via Ferrata experience. Choose from three unique guided challenges.
The Castle Hot Springs Via Ferrata adventure course provides guests the exclusive opportunity to explore the majesty of the Sonoran Desert from a position few are able to experience. Gain a new perspective scaling canyon walls, learn to move over rock and walk across a 200-foot long aerial walkway high above a canyon floor.
Crater Canyon is considered a great introductory experience to learn how to scale and navigate a canyon wall. We recommend this before some other Via Ferrata experiences.
To reach the upper canyon, a harness must be worn, and climbing is needed to gain access. Some guests opt out of the upper section and spend time relaxing and exploring the bottom section of the canyon.
The climbing section traverses a total distance of approximately 150ft at a height of 20-40 ft above the ground. Wooden planks installed onto the side of the canyon wall help guests traverse this section.
On average, guests will spend between 60-120 minutes climbing with the extra hour being used for gearing up, taking breaks, and hiking down from the summit. We recommend hiking footwear for this activity. The route is approximately 450ft. Guests will hike down Castle Peak Trail (approx. ½ mile) back to the starting point.
Yes, it is included.
No, Via Ferrata is widely considered as the most approachable style of climbing and our route is designed for anyone willing to take on the challenge of climbing.
Yes, West Wall is a steeper variation, and is great for returning guests or those who have climbed the Castle Peak Via Ferrata.
We recommend the Via Ferrata as an introduction if you do not have prior experience.
Yes, it is included.
See the desert from a different perspective by crossing this aerial walkway high above the canyon.
No, guests will hike to the walkway along a series of trails with an elevation change of approximately 150ft. Guests will hike back down to the canyon floor with the total distance for the tour at approximately 1 mile.
Yes, all guests will put on a harness and will be attached to a safety cable for the duration of the crossing. Guides are present to provide extra support and safety.
Yes, all guests have the option to cross or not. Anyone who decides to back out will be guided back along the trail they hiked to reach the Walkway (approximately ½ mile). Guests will NOT be charged for the tour if they opt out of the crossing.
Glide up the hills and cruise through the canyons with ease on this desert e-bike tour!
We recommend wearing layers for this tour during our cooler months (Oct-March). Our mornings will start off chilly and as the sun is rising, we recommend sun protection. Workout clothes with flexible material is a great option as well as sneakers.
We will provide you with a helmet and gloves. Please bring any life-saving medication such as inhaler, EpiPen, etc. We will have water bottle holders on the bike.
The Aventon Aventure.2 Mountain E-Bikes have 4 pedal assist modes plus a turbo accelerator. The 4 modes give you a boost of power as you pedal and range from minimal assistance to maximum assistance.
We would recommend a participant in this tour to have prior biking experience.
There are 3 different biking tours based on skill level:
If you are unsure if you are compatible with this experience, we offer complimentary resort cruiser bikes to ride on property.
As this is the case for all our tours at Castle Hot Springs, there are always inherent risks involved with any activity. We will be biking on loose gravel and uneven terrain. We will be dismounting our bikes at some points in the tour and as we walk around the desert landscape which has flora that may be spikey and sharp, we just ask that you are mindful of your footing and hand placement.
Ride out directly from the resort and head for the mountainous hills to experience excellent vistas, canyons and occasional wildlife.
It will be dusty while driving, we advise to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in. Comfortable clothing, sunglasses, layers. Water bottle, closed toe sneakers, socks, sunglasses.
If you have prior injuries, sensitive muscle pain or back pain, please advise with caution and to speak with a Guide.
Guests will drive their own machines and will follow the guide along the route.
The vehicles are capable of doing high speeds, but the guided tour will be done at moderate speeds throughout the duration. The route of travel can be challenging and is more of a scenic, technical driving experience vs a high speed journey.
Guests can book a 2 seater or 4 seater.
Guides are prepared with First Aid supplies and a Satellite communications device. Guests will sign a Damage Liability waiver through our vendor and will be responsible for any and all damages in the event of a crash.
Guides will provide a face cover, googles and helmet. Helmets are not required but offered. Extra water is also available throughout the tour.
Patience and precision, take aim with modern compound and recurve bows in our canyon archery range!
Comfortable clothing, layers (as we will be in the shade for this activity but will be walking in the sun to get to our destination, water bottle, good walking shoes.)
No, this is a beginner friendly activity, your guide will give you all the tips and coaching needed to start and improve your archery skills.
The bows we provide are fully adjustable meaning we can alter the amount of tension to make it as easy as possible to pull back the bow strings.
No, if you need to leave early to move on to your next activity. If you let your guide know we can also call a ride to pick you up from the nearest point to give you a ride to your next activity.
It is about a 5-10-minute walk from our meeting point (the Adventure and Activities desk) to the range, if you would rather have a cart drive you to our destination, please let your guide know and we will be happy to arrange that for you.
Experience the beauty and history of the Sonoran Desert on horseback with a guided ride through our private network of trails.
November through April
This is a Walking Tour and will accommodate beginner riders or with no experience.
Closed toed shoes, long pants, appropriate layers for the current weather.
The tour rides along horseback trails on the East side of our property. Near or on the Agave Trail.
Channel your inner lumberjack with axe throwing at our custom-built targets in the shade of the ole’ Salt Cedar.
Comfortable clothing, layers (as we will be in the shade for this activity but will be walking in the sun to get to our destination, water bottles, good walking shoes.)
It is about a 5-10-minute walk from the Adventure & Activities desk (Our meeting point) to the range, if you would rather have a cart drive you to our destination, please let your guide know and we will be happy to arrange that for you.
No, your guide will coach you through the techniques and give you helpful tips and advice throughout the experience to help you improve your skills.
We provide two different size types of axes, both approved by the World Axe Throwing League. Our competition style axe has a total weight of 2.25 pounds and our tomahawk axes are smaller and weigh 1.1 pounds. Your guide will provide you with a few different techniques on how to throw your axe depending on what feels the most comfortable.
Experience private hiking trails with mountain summits, canyons, saguaro cactus, palm trees, and other unique Sonoran Desert ecology.
Your guide will provide you with information on the Sonoran Desert flora and fauna as well as historic facts about Castle Hot Springs and the surrounding area.
We recommend hiking boots or running shoes with good traction as our trails have loose gravel and uneven terrain. We also recommend bringing sun protection such as a hat, long sleeve UPF shirts, sunscreen.
We have extra hiking poles available for use, as the trail has loose gravel and uneven terrain, and we recommend the poles to help stabilize yourself on the downhill sections of trail. We also have backpacks available to loan.
We have a property hiking map available at online and on property to navigate. The terrain is dry, loose and rocky with many desert cacti and plants around. Watch for wildlife and do not disturb them.
We have 4 different summits on property ranging in difficulty level. Your guide will decide the day of the tour depending on the weather and what the group is interested in.
The Sonoran desert is boasting with unique natural wildlife. Common sightings are wild burros, road runners, lizards, hawks, eagles, owls, coyotes, javelinas, snakes, cardinals, hummingbirds and more.
Find your balance in with this guided paddleboard yoga experience in a natural hot springs.
Offered Spring through Summer, Starts on March 5th. Each participants ability to swim is required. The class style is dependent on the needs/desires of the group as well as the instructor. Every class will have options for all skill levels.
The deepest part of the yoga pond is approximately 10ft deep. Guests that fall in are unlikely to touch the bottom.
Bathing suit easy to move in or yoga clothing.
Each session is a 1-hour long instructor-led class, participants can leave if feeling fatigued at any time.