Vaughan's Southwest Tours

07/03/2024

With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) encourages Arizonans to leave the fireworks up to the professionals as fire danger remains high and activity persists.

06/26/2024

For those of you here in the Sonoran Desert right now, have you seen the red on the tops of the Saguaros? The beautiful crowns of white flowers have faded and have been replaced by seed-filled fruit. The fruit is high in moisture and is consumed by many birds, bats, mammals, insects, and reptiles during the time of year when food and water are scarce.

06/18/2024

We specialize in private . We offer a flat rate of $880.00 for up to 4 people. $165.00 for each additional person, up to 10 people total.
On our extraordinary private Grand Canyon tour, you will experience some of the most scenic and breathtaking views that the Grand Canyon has to offer.
Other private tours are available! Sedona, Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend, Tombstone, and more!
As a native Arizona family-owned business, our passion for Arizona
has made us the top-rated tour company in Arizona since 1983.
To learn more, visit our website.

Grand Canyon tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale with experienced/professional tour guides who know the Grand Canyon, including history, geology, legends, and lore.

02/21/2024

What a at the ! This is the office I get to work in and I love it! -Jim Vaughan

03/28/2023

Another spectacular day at the with Jimmy Vaughan!

03/18/2023

Does anyone else remember the Phoenix lights?

On March 13, 1997, almost all of Phoenix saw a wide 'V' of lights in the sky above the city. It's one of the biggest UFO sightings in the world.

02/24/2023

Spectacular day at the Grand Canyon today!
Prescott, Williams, and Grand Canyon roads are all clear..

02/14/2023

Happy Statehood Day Arizona!
On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state. Before becoming a state, Arizona was known as a territory of New Mexico but was often referred to as Arizona. It took Arizona 56 years to gain statehood!

02/13/2023

Superbowl Sunday sunrise in Phoenix.

01/22/2023

Sometimes there are no words needed. Enjoy more pictures from Jim's tour in Sedona.

01/20/2023

"What a spectacular day in Sedona!" -Jim Vaughan
Jim is on tour in Sedona today and the views are simply breathtaking. Of course, Jim always has a great time and enjoys the views in Sedona but the snow is a special treat.

01/17/2023

On this day in Arizona history-
January 17, 1983. One man with admiration of Arizona. It's beauty, it's history, and it's people. He started sharing his knowledge by touring visitors and residents around the state and eventually the southwest. That man is Jim Vaughan. Forty years later he is still taking people on tour. The best part is he continues to enjoy it as much as ever!

01/11/2023

On January 11, 1908, Roosevelt declared more than 800,000 acres of the Grand Canyon a national monument. “Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.”
Grand Canyon National Monument wouldn't gain National Park status until 1919.
What an amazing area the Grand Canyon is. Thank you, President Roosevelt!

01/11/2023

Jim is out at the White Tank Mountains this evening as mother nature puts on a glorious show of colors.

12/22/2022

How about a quick virtual visit to the Grand Canyon right now?

Wishing everyone a Happy Winter Solstice from Grand Canyon National Park.

Today, December 21st, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the fewest hours of sunlight, resulting in the longest night of the year! Sunrise is at 7:35 am. Sunset at 5:17 pm.

Here at Grand Canyon the exact moment of Winter Solstice is this afternoon at 2:48 pm (MST). Day length today is 9 hours and 42 minutes; that's 4 hours and 54 minutes shorter than on the Summer Solstice in June.

To many Indigenous communities across the nation, Winter Solstice is a reminder to care for our spiritual selves, prepare for longer days ahead, and perform special ceremonies and dances. It is a time to reconnect to the natural world —a source of teaching.

In the words of Calvin Chimoni, Zuni Pueblo Tribal member, and NPS employee at El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments, “Winter solstice is a time for centering—a time to reflect our beginnings and reconnecting our roots. It’s a time when we fulfill duties and anticipate positive outcomes for all.”

What will you do to prepare for the longest night of the year?

Oh, and with the Christmas and New Year's Holiday period here, it's becoming really busy. If you're planning to visit the South Rim during the holidays, here are some helpful tips about parking, getting around, and what to see and do > https://go.nps.gov/sr-tips (8763)

Photo location: Sunrise from Maricopa Point, December 21, 2022. NPS photo by J. Baird.

12/11/2022

What a spectacular day! While it was raining last weekend in Phoenix, Jim took his guests to Sedona and the Grand Canyon where the weather was breathtaking.

12/09/2022

On This Day in Arizona History-
Our very own Jim Vaughan was born. Let's all give a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to Jimmy!

12/09/2022

It's a beautiful bluebird day in the Arizona high country. How are you enjoying the crisp weather? ☀️ Enjoy the calm weather while it lasts, because we've got a potential winter storm for the start of next week. More details coming soon. ❄️

12/07/2022

Today marks the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We fly our flag at half mast in memory and honor of the thousands who lost their lives when Pearl Harbor Hawaii, including the USS Arizona, was bombed.

11/06/2022

⏰ Don't forget to change your clocks back tomo....... oh, wait. This is Arizona! 😎

09/12/2022

Grand Falls Arizona is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation 30 miles northeast of Flagstaff Arizona. It may not look tall in photos but it stands at 185 feet high! Most of the year it is dormant but during snow melt and monsoon storms, it produces spectacular, muddy, almost chocolaty-looking waterfalls. The first two photos were taken by Jim Vauhan on a custom tour.

09/10/2022

Arizona may be the "Grand Canyon State" but did you know it is also the sunniest state? ☀️
Sorry, Florida. As a matter of fact, Yuma, located in the southwestern corner of Arizona is the sunniest place on earth! No wonder why Yuma produces 90% of all leafy vegetables in the USA.
Photo: Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS
lettuce field in Yuma Arizona

08/16/2022

Death Valley-
August 2019 Jim took a personal vacation in Death Valley.
August 2020 temperatures in Death Valley reached 130 degrees!
And just last week that area received 75% of its annual rainfall in only 3 hours!

07/20/2022

🚀Today is the 53rd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
So what is Arizona's connection to it?
Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Meteor Crater, Sunset Crater, Cinder Lake, and Lowell Observatory were all key training sites for the astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission. The rugged terrain and volcanic craters made it the perfect place to practice walking and driving on the moon's surface! Yay northern Arizona! 🔭🌛 And the great thing is you can visit all these places and have your own lunar-like experience!

07/04/2022

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!