Dolly Steamboat in Apache Junction
Ahoy there! We recently took a ride on the Dolly Steamboat (Apache Junction, Arizona). Let me tell you, it was a hull lot of fun!
How Did the Dolly Steamboat Get Its Name?
At the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake (Apache Junction)
Steamboat Dolly’s namesake goes back to the first owners, Paul and Dolly Kennedy first set sail on the Steamboat Dolly in 1983. They sold the business shortly thereafter in 1987 to siblings Jeff and Cindi Grimh, who are still the owners.
Where is the Dolly Steamboat?
The Dolly Steamboat traverses Canyon Lake, which is located in the Superstitious Mountains in the Tonto National Forrest. The marina for the steamboat is about a hour drive east from Phoenix.
The drive to the Dolly Steamboat includes a scenic section along Highway 88 (Apache Trail). During our visit in April 2023, the hillsides were dotted with thousands of yellow spring flowers. There’s a scenic pull-over just a few miles from Canyon Lake that is worth stopping for a photo or two. Before reaching the marina and boarding area for the Dolly Steamboad, we traveled through two one-way tunnels.
What Tour Should You Take on the Dolly Steamboat?
The Dolly Steamboat offers several types of tours. The most popular option is the 90-minute six-mile narrated Scenic Nature Cruise ($30/person). There's also a Twilight Dinner Cruise ($80/person) that lasts for 2.5 hours and includes a buffet-style dinner, live entertainment, and stunning sunset views.
We opted for 2:00 pm Scenic Nature Cruise on a Wednesday in April. Although our cruise was sold out, we booked about 5 days in advance of the cruise when there were plenty of tickets.
How Do Pick a Seat on the Dolly Steamboat?
Dolly Steamboat on the water at Canyon Lake
For the Scenic Nature Cruise, there’s no assigned seating on the Dolly Steamboat so if you have a big group, it’s best to get there early and get in line at the ticket booth. Passengers are assigned a number at the ticket booth (even if the tickets were purchased online), and the boarding is waves of numbers (e.g. 1-25 board, and then 25-50 board, etc). We were in the third boarding group, and felt lucky to share a table with some a Minnesota couple on the top deck.
For the Twighlight Dinner Cruise, tables are assigned in advance. If you have a preference of where you want to sit, you might want to call to book and see if you can request a certain area.
How is the Ride on the Dolly Steamboat?
Canyon Lake in Arizona on the Dolly Steamboat
With a length of around 100 feet and capacity of around 140 passengers, the Dolly Steamboat is big enough to impress you, but also small enough to give the cruise and intimate feel. As soon as we boarded the boat, I could feel my excitement rising like the steam from the engine. Captain Ron Spence (a native Kansas like me) welcomed everyone aboard with a big smile and silky-smooth voice. He pointed out some western grebe and mallards around the boat as the three-person crew greeted the passengers.
About half of the seats are covered inside the Dolly Steamboat, and that’s also where you can find small concession bar. While passengers can choose from chips, nuts, crackers, and cookies, I recommend the freshly popped buttered popcorn. I managed to consume the $10 big tub with no problem. The bar also offers a decent selection of beers (Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Shock Top, Four Peaks Kiltlifter) and mixed drinks (Bloody Mary, gin and tonic, etc) for a reasonably priced $7.
With a few minutes, we set sail on the beautiful Canyon Lake. The scenery was shore-ly breathtaking, with towering cliffs and stunning rock formations surrounding us. Arizona had been experiencing an exceptionally wet and cool spring, and that made the surroundings remarkably green. Even though I think of cactuses as desert plants, we saw a few Saguaros right by the shore line
Big Horn Rams on Canyon Lake (Dolly Steamboat)
During the ride, we were lucky enough to see some wildlife, including a bald eagle and bighorn sheep. I was so excited, I almost leaped out of my seat like a trout! Make sure and bring binoculars because otherwise, the animals are hard to see.
What surprised me the most about the Dolly Steamboat cruise was just how much I loved Captain Ron. Not only was very knowledgeable about the Canyon Lake and its inhabitants, she shared a few funny stories and jokes in his delightful radio voice. I could have listened to him all day.
Is the Dolly Steamboat Cruise Worth It?
Overall, I had a whale of a time on the Dolly Steamboat. It's a boat-tiful way to spend a day. At just $30/person, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fin-tastic adventure near Phoenix, Arizona. Don't miss out on this steamazing experience!
