3 Days in Scottsdale: Hiking, Spas, and Pool Days
Scottsdale, Arizona, is more than just a desert destination; it’s a playground for those who love to start their day with a challenge and end it with a chilled glass of rosé. With over 330 days of sunshine a year, it’s the ultimate spot for a "reset" trip with your best friends or a significant other.
Here is how to spend 72 perfect hours in the West’s Most Western Town.
Day 1: The Iconic Introduction
Morning: Conquer Camelback Start your trip with Scottsdale’s most famous resident: Camelback Mountain. For a strenuous workout with a massive payoff, take the Echo Canyon Trail. You’ll be scrambling over boulders and using your hands, but the 360-degree views of the Valley at the summit are unmatched.
Expert Tip: Start at sunrise. The parking lot fills up by 7:00 AM, and the desert heat is no joke!
Afternoon: Retro Pool Vibes After that hike, you’ve earned a nap by the water. Head to Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town. Their OH Pool is a mid-century modern masterpiece (shaped like a martini olive!). It’s high-energy, colorful, and features some of the best poolside cocktails in the city.
Evening: Old Town Dining Walk over to The Mission for sophisticated modern Latin cuisine. Their table-side guacamole is legendary, and the glow of the Himalayan salt block wall sets the perfect mood for your first night out.
Day 2: Wellness and Waterfalls
Morning: The Gateway Loop If you want something scenic but less "vertical" than Day 1, head to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve for the Gateway Loop Trail. It’s a 4.5-mile moderate hike that winds through massive Saguaros and desert wildflowers. It feels like a true escape into nature.
Afternoon: The Ultimate Spa Experience You can't do Scottsdale without a spa day. Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a destination in itself.
The Ritual: Try the "Havasupai Falls Rejuvenation" treatment.
The Perk: Spa guests get exclusive access to the Rooftop Adult Pool, which offers a quiet, serene alternative to the more boisterous resort pools.
Evening: Dinner with a View For dinner, book a table at Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort. Located on the 15th floor, it offers floor-to-ceiling windows specifically designed to showcase Arizona’s world-famous purple and orange sunsets.
Day 3: Leisure and Luxury
Morning: A Gentle Peak Keep it light on your final morning with a stroll at Pinnacle Peak Park. The trail is smooth, well-maintained, and offers beautiful views of the high-end estates and golf courses nestled into the mountains. It’s more of a "social hike", perfect for catching up while you walk.
Afternoon: Cabana Life Spend your final afternoon at The Phoenician. Their multi-tiered pool complex is the height of luxury. Rent a private cabana at the Mother-of-Pearl Pool to enjoy fruit platters, chilled water, and premium service while you soak in the last of the desert sun.
Evening: The Grand Finale End your trip at Toca Madera. It’s more than a meal; it’s a performance. With fire dancers, a live DJ, and a "farm-to-glass" cocktail program, it’s the high-energy finale your Scottsdale trip deserves.
Quick Planning Tips:
When to Go: March–May offers the best weather for hiking. October–November is also stunning.
Stay Hydrated: The "Dry Heat" is real. Drink double the water you think you need, especially if you're hitting the trails.
Transportation: Uber and Lyft are very active in Scottsdale, making it easy to hop between Old Town and the North Scottsdale resorts.
Would you like me to help you pick the perfect resort based on your group's specific budget? Let’s get started!
