Best Things To Do In San Tan Valley, Arizona

1. Relax at the Green

While in San Tan Valley, relax and unwind at the Links at Queen Creek Golf Course. Spanning almost 5,800 yards (5303.5 meters), this par 70 championship course is set up with tee boxes for all playing abilities, meaning you don’t have to be a pro to participate. This well-manicured facility comes with daily rates for public use, rental clubs, five lakes, and two running streams, to keep you entertained all day. Should your game leave you hungry, you don’t have to leave the facilities to grab a bite, as the Ironwood Grille is ready to serve! With a patio that overlooks the green, your meal with a view will leave you full, but ready to return.

The Links at Queen Creek Golf Course

Address: 445 E Ocotillo Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

Website: The Links at Queen Creek Golf Course

2. Tour an Organic Farm

If you’re looking for a more rural experience, head out to Schnepf Farms, located 10 minutes north of San Tan Valley. While the farm itself has been around since the 60’s, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that Mark and Carrie Schnepf transformed the farm into an agro-tourism destination. At the farm, you can pick your own organic fruit and vegetables, meet farm animals at the petting zoo, or buy fresh baked goods and preserves from the bakery and country store. Special events are held year-round but don’t worry about finding a hotel - campgrounds with restrooms, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi are available, with reservation.

Schnepf Farms

Address: 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Website: Schnepf Farms

3. Relive the Renaissance

For those heading to San Tan Valley in March, check out the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Held annually, the carnival is open every Saturday and Sunday, from February 10th until the first of April as well as Memorial Day. The festival features a medieval amusement park with rides, games, jousting tournaments, feasts, and multiple performances by record-holding entertainers. Both modern and Renaissance food is served by multiple vendors, catering to picky and daring eaters alike, but try not to eat too much before trying out a medieval ride, like the Assault Catapult. Whether alone, with a friend, or with the family, the Arizona Renaissance Festival is guaranteed fun.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival

Address: Arizona Renaissance Festival, 12601 E. US Highway 60, Gold Canyon AZ 85118

Website: The Arizona Renaissance Festival

4. Taste and Learn about olives

Arizona’s soil is known for being rich and fertile, meaning farmers and their crops, from multiple origins, now call the Sonoran Desert their home. One such crop is the olive, which is grown at the Queen Creek Olive Oil Mill. Founded in 1998, by Perry and Brenda Rea, the farm has grown from 1,000 olive trees on 100 acres (40.5 hectares) to over 7,000 trees of 16 varieties and is Arizona’s only producer of extra virgin olive oil. At the facility, you can take a tour and learn about the entire oil production, starting with the growing process and ending with the benefits of eating the product. Only nine minutes away from San Tan Valley, the beautiful orchard needs to be on your itinerary, if not for the beautiful farm itself, then the delicious eatery located on the grounds. Using local and garden sourced ingredients to make new and old-world style Italian food, the Eatery at Queen Creek Olive Mill is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Address: Queen Creek Olive Mill - Farm, Market, Eatery, 25062 S Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Website: Queen Creek Olive Mill

5. Hike, bike, or ride in the desert

Fifteen minutes outside of San Tan Valley lies the San Tan Mountain Regional Park. Perfect for a wilderness excursion, the park is designed with conservation and open spaces in mind. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at this Sonoran Desert park, and experience the flora and fauna native to the area while walking on one of nine trails that vary in difficulty. Don’t feel like hiking? You can bring a bicycle and pedal around the trails, and if you’re travelling with your four-legged best friend, you can always ride your horse on the trails. Wildlife photography is encouraged, so don’t be shy about pulling out your camera or smartphone on your journey. There will be plenty to see including flowering cacti and Native American petroglyphs. Events are held year-round, including the stargazing program where, for 6 USD, you can learn about the stars, moon, and planets, and the park management provides the telescope!

San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Website: San Tan Mountain Regional Park

6. Take an off-road tour

Finally, for the perfect, stress-free off-roading experience, head to Apache Junction for the Apache Trail Tours. As the oldest highway in the United States, the Apache Trail shows off the best of the desert, bringing together the striking beauty of Arizona’s native plants, mountain ranges, and lakes. Four-wheeler and jeep tours are available, with different sites and travel times available, meaning you get to choose what you see and how long your adventure lasts. Some tours will take you to Tortilla Flat, a stagecoach stop where you can taste prickly pear ice cream, find unique souvenirs, or just relax in a saddle, at the bar. If you want to fully connect with the Old West, try panning for gold, and see what made many a prospector wealthy, during the Gold Rush. Each tour is led by experienced guides who will ensure your experience is fun and unforgettable.

Apache Trail Tours

Address: 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd-Apache Junction, AZ 85119

Website: Apache Trail Tours

Rural relaxation

The next time you visit Arizona, make sure your trip includes the town of San Tan Valley. A hodgepodge of modern-day activities, medieval festivities, and nature adventures, this small town is anything but plain. So drop in, and experience San Tan Valley, for yourself.