Snacks and drinks for both kids and adults are available for purchase, so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There isn't a bad seat on the boat, although if you can snag a table on the starboard (right) side you will be closer for viewing. The ride takes about an hour and a half, depending on how many Bighorn Sheep the Captain spots! Every time I have done the trip, we have seen sheep, but there is so much more to see! The Captain has a perfect tour guide voice and he points out many things to see from Flora (Saguaro, Cholla, Barrel Cactus, Palo Verde, Mesquite) to Fauna (Coots, Mallards, Big Horn Sheep, Bald Eagles). The Dolly Steamboat trip is one of the best things to do in the Phoenix area. Overall we all enjoyed the view and the relaxing ride on the Dolly Steamboat. Though it was dark on our way back I think this was the right timing for the trip. A few mentioned departing earlier but that would mean missing the wildlife around dusk and missing the sunset at the mouth of the canyon. This also means that the rest of the trip back was mostly in the dark while we did have a full moon helping light the canyons. We came to the end of the canyon right at sunset allowing a nice chance to photograph the area. We were seated on the indoor top deck which was nice as it was a bit chillly out tonight. The dinner onboard was good and plentiful: salad, potatoes, veggy & both beef and chicken.

The captain gave good descriptions on how to find them since they blend in so well with the terrain. Soon we also sighted bighorn sheep high up on the cliffs. The staff was very friendly and our captain gave us informative tidbits about the lake and the wildlife we might see.īefore we entered the canyon we saw a bald eagle fly by with a fish, later we sighted it on a rock enjoying dinner. The boat itself is a typical small lake cruise and has been around for quite a while. We were on the dinner cruise which departs at 4:30p. This trip we were camping at nearby Lost Dutchman State Park and brought several other people along.

I used to jetski on Canyon Lake and always admired the beauty of going back through the canyon.

Tortilla flat restaurant