FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Information
Rackensack Canyon Tours are available October 1st thru May 31st.
Due to traffic conditions all tour times are approximate. Tour time includes loading and unloading at the beginning and end of your tour. Our tours are conducted in a Custom Jeep Gladiator that can accommodate nine passengers. There will most likely be other guests on the tour with you. We do offer private tours. Please visit our tour descriptions for per person and vehicle rate pricing.
All children must be at least 2 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Rackensack Canyon Tours does not provide car seats and it is the Guest’s responsibility to provide their own car seat for any child age 2 to 4.
Dogs that are under 15 pounds are allowed as long as they are in a soft-sided carrier that can be held in the owner’s lap for the duration of the tour. Certified service animals are permitted on all of our tours.
For the safety of our passengers, all guests must have upper body strength with the ability to hold themselves up during the tour. Guests are responsible for getting themselves in and out of our vehicles for their tour.
Most of our Jeep tours are considered too rugged for women who are expecting.
While we do not require advance reservations we do have limited seats available and often sell out. We highly recommend making reservations in advance for the best availability of our tours and departure times.
The Arizona Gold Mine Adventure includes a semi-rigorous five minute hike on rocky terrain to reach the mine. However, we are happy to transport non-hikers by vehicle to the mine if preferred. Also, our tours have picture stops with Guest option to exit vehicle for short walks on uneven terrain to take photo’s.
STANDARD TOURS: Any changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before tour time to receive a refund. No shows or cancellations after the 48 hour deadline are charged full price, including those that were purchased through a 3rd party.
CUSTOM TOURS: Require a 50% non-refundable deposit at time of booking with the non-refundable balance due 2 weeks prior to tour date.
Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation.
Our tours operate rain or shine. Rainfall is generally very short-lived and may offer the chance for you to see rainbows or spectacular cloud formations. In the case of extreme weather or unsafe conditions, we reserve the right to cancel a tour & issue refund.
Please use Restroom prior to boarding Tour Vehicle. It will be approx. 1.5 hour after departure before next availability.
~ Restrooms available at Departure Location West of Carefree Sundial.
~ Restroom available at Studio/Gift Shop located at your Tour Destination.
~ Portable Restroom at Gold Mine – located at your Tour Destination.
Trip Preparation
Our tours depart from the parking lot at EAST SUNDIAL CIRCLE, CAREFREE AZ 85377. Guests should arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. If you booked with us directly, you do not need to bring anything at check-in. If you booked through another party, please review the confirmation that you received from them. You may be required to bring proof of purchase or a voucher when you check-in for your tour.
It is customary to tip the guide. Gratuity is based on individual preference but we suggest 15% to 20% which is the industry standard. You may tip the guide in cash or have it added to your credit card. For groups of 8 or more, a gratuity of 15% is added.
Dress for the season in comfortable outdoor clothing with closed-toe shoes. Layers are best with jackets in winter and light clothing in summer. Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. Contact lens wearers may want to switch to eyeglasses to avoid eye irritation. Temperatures can be colder in the early hours or at night; Rackensack Canyon is usually 10–12 degrees colder than the Phoenix Airport.
What to Bring
We recommend bringing a camera or cell phone. Complementary water is available on Jeep and at the Gift Shop.
For the safety and comfort of our guests, full meals and glass bottles are prohibited on the vehicle. If necessary, you are welcome to bring a small containable snack such as a granola bar.
A purse or standard-sized backpack is acceptable, however, there is no storage space in our vehicles. Anything you bring needs to fit comfortably in your lap throughout the tour.
All children must be at least 2 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Rackensack Canyon Tours does not provide car seats and it is the Guest’s responsibility to provide their own car seat for any child that requires one.
For the comfort of all guests, items prohibited include weapons, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, drones, glass containers, alcohol, coolers, professional video equipment, illegal substances, or cremated remains.