From the granddaddy of Arizona’s natural splendor, Grand Canyon National Park, to the state’s botanical gardens, preserves and parks, there are many options for planners to incorporate nature into their next Arizona meeting itinerary.
Following is a sampling of 10 land-based and waterborne experiences that will get attendees back to nature.
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
www.dbg.org
Desert Botanical Garden (DBG) is an outdoor museum showcasing desert plants from around the world, ranging from those native to the Southwest to sprawling cactuses from Mesopotamia. According to Katelyn Burnett, DBG’s corporate event and group sales coordinator, it’s the perfect place for groups to spend a day, and attendees are invited to either take a self-guided tour or enjoy their visit lead by a guide.
“The Desert Botanical Garden offers a variety of team-building activities, including the opportunity to create your very own cactus dish garden so you can take a piece of the desert home with you,” Burnett says, adding that groups might also book a private demonstration focusing on cooking with plants found in the garden.
The DBG also acts as an off-site venue for up to 500 attendees and often accommodates meetings, lectures, cocktail gatherings and receptions.
“Whether it’s an indoor presentation in our historic Webster Auditorium or an outdoor reception at our stunning Ullman Terrace, we have spaces to accommodate all of your needs,” Burnett says.
The Bicycle Cellar, Tempe
www.thebicyclecellar.com
At the Bicycle Cellar, located at the Tempe Transportation Center, active attendees can rent bikes and then take off for scenic group rides highlighting the area’s natural goodies.
According to Toni Smith, spokesperson for Tempe Tourism, the Bicycle Cellar will customize rates for large groups and can provide maps and suggestions for bike paths, including those around Tempe Town Lake and Arizona State University, and desert trails in Papago Park, which is shared by Tempe and Phoenix and bordered by Scottsdale.
Nature Center at Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa
www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery
The Nature Center at Usery Mountain Regional Park is a must-visit for those seeking insight into the Sonoran Desert, according to Jennifer Johnston, Usery Mountain Regional Park’s supervisor.
“One of our primary goals here at the park is to connect people with nature,” she says. “When we host corporate events in the Nature Center, we work with the event coordinator to arrange an outdoor activity such as a G.R.E.E.N. (Get Ready to Explore and Enjoy Nature) interpretive hike, a desert fitness hike or a bird-watching walk along the Desert Hawk Trail.”
Sunrise yoga, scorpion hunts by black light, animal “hide and seek” walks and bike tours can also be arranged.
The park houses a group picnic area and campground, which Johnston says are wonderful gathering sites during fall and spring when everyone wants to be outdoors.
“Instead of planning a ‘typical’ retreat, treat your group to a shorter agenda in the Nature Center or picnic ramada, followed by a barbecue picnic and hike in the park,” Johnston says.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale
www.mcdowellsonoran.org
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers the ultimate outdoor nature experience within minutes of the best resorts in Scottsdale, says Mike Nolan, executive director of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that partners with the city of Scottsdale to care for and protect the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
“From rock-climbing to horseback riding, mountain bike expeditions or guided hikes led by experts in all things unique to the Sonoran Desert, groups can create memories that will last a lifetime,” he says.
For groups who’d like to pay it forward, environment-friendly team-building activities are also available.
“We can create a special project for your group of 10 to 150 people, or your group can join a community service project scheduled on service days throughout the year,” Nolan says. “Crew leaders will train and work with groups on a habitat remediation or restoration project, which includes replanting cactus, removing invasive weeds and picking up litter.”
Flagstaff Nordic Center, Flagstaff
www.flagstaffnordiccenter.com
One of Arizona’s best places to cross-country ski and snowshoe during the winter, the Flagstaff Nordic Center also sports other seasonal options for groups seeking nature outings just 15 miles from downtown Flagstaff.
During the summer, for example, the ski trails can be used for hiking or biking, which Joanne Hudson, spokeswoman for the Flagstaff CVB, says is a great way to infuse fitness into a meeting.
Located on Coconino National Forest land, the center puts up a large tented area, known as the Ponderosa Pavilion Party Tent, in the summer season for special group events. Just a few steps away are a large yurt, four camping cabins and several smaller yurts that can all be used as breakout space.
The most adventurous groups, Hudson adds, might book a winter cross-country ski trip at the center, during which the cabins and yurts are moved out along the trail throughout the forest and delegates must ski to their accommodations.
Sedona Star Gazing, Sedona
www.eveningskytours.com
With more than 300 clear nights per year, an elevation of 4,500 feet and a lighting ordinance that protects the sky, Sedona boasts exceptional conditions for star gazing and is considered one of the best spots to do so in the country.
According to Clifford Ochser, owner of Sedona Star Gazing, outings for corporate groups of up to 120 guests can be arranged.
“We have our primary dark sky site which is 15 minutes from Sedona and can accommodate up to 100 people,” he says. “And we can set up at local hotels and do our tour in conjunction with a dessert reception or other after-dinner gathering.”
The tour includes an overview of constellations led by astronomers using high-power laser pointers, and an up-close view of celestial sights through powerful telescopes.
Ochser adds that educational team-building exercises, including finding constellations with binoculars, are popular, and attendees then take home the lessons to share with family and friends.
Grand Canyon Tour Company, Grand Canyon
www.grandcanyontourcompany.com
Grand Canyon Tour Company (GCTC) is one of the many outfitters planners can tap into if a Grand Canyon visit is part of the meeting itinerary.
According to Gladys Link, project coordinator with GCTC, the company offers numerous tours of the Grand Canyon, but one is particularly popular with corporate groups.
The Grand Canyon West Rim air and ground tour begins with an airplane flight over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Colorado River and Rainbow Gardens before finally flying over the breathtaking Grand Canyon and completing at Grand Canyon West. There, groups board a bus for a four-and-a-half-mile tour along the canyon’s rim.
Lunch on the canyon’s rim is included.
Bluewater Jet Boat Tours, Lake Havasu
www.coloradoriverjetboattours.com
The most popular tour via Bluewater Jet Boat Tours travels up the Colorado River through Topock Gorge and the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, home of some 394 different species of birds and waterfowl, as well as bighorn sheep, coyote, raccoon and other mammals.
“Sightings are not uncommon and quite often it is the passengers doing the spotting,” says Kenn McKinney, owner of the operation. “Groups can tailor the tour with as much or as little narration as they’d like from our knowledgeable crew.”
McKinney says the onboard sound system allows for narration to be given from both the wheel house and the cabin area so the boat itself is a suitable place for presentations and meetings.
Tohono Chul Park, Tucson
www.tohonochulpark.org
Named one of the world’s great botanical gardens by Travel + Leisure and listed by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 22 secret gardens in the U.S. and Canada, Tohono Chul Park is a must-visit attraction for groups convening in Tucson.
“Tours and workshops can be arranged for groups of up to 60 people, starting at $10 per person for a dedicated tour during park hours to a three-hour tour including a hands-on project of creating their own cactus garden, starting at $45 per person,” says Marcia Ring, the park’s spokeswoman.
Additionally, the park recently opened up its entire grounds for rental. Ring says there are five unique areas to hold receptions, or planners can combine all five for a party that accommodates up to 500 people.
“From our overlook that highlights the Tucson sunsets to the tree-canopied charm of the Spanish courtyard, there is something for everyone,” she says, adding that park rental is limited to evenings from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Yuma River Tours, Yuma
www.yumarivertours.com
The Colorado River, accessible via Yuma River Tours (YRT), provides a beautiful backdrop for corporate functions. Ron Knowlton, owner and boat captain, says YRT works with groups to create their desired atmosphere among the scenery, history and river lore of the majestic Colorado.
“Our two-story stern wheeler offers two- to three-hour leisurely, scenic cruises,” he says. “It’s perfect for meetings or social gatherings with a PA system for presentations and an enclosed bottom deck to set up displays.”
Tours run within the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and through a migratory flyway for birds, so bird-watching is popular when in season.
“Our unique locations in the desert and wildlife refuge, and overall remoteness, provide a fun and exciting place to do any traditional team building or development activities,” Knowlton adds, citing communication exercises derived from the rock alignments and culture of Native Americans who lived and traveled along the river.
Freelancer Carolyn Blackburn remains in awe of Grand Canyon and Sedona sunsets.
