The Active Vacation Planner - American Southwest - page 77

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tennis-oriented resorts include, in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, the Phoenician, Copper-
wynd Resort and Club, the Fairmont Scottsdale, the Arizona Grand Resort, and the
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort; and, in Tucson, the Lodge at Ventana Canyon, the
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, the Westin La Paloma Resort &
Spa, the Westward Look Resort, and the Omni Tucson National Resort. See the indi-
vidual chapters for contact information for these resorts.
Although New Mexico's high and dry climate is ideal for tennis much of the year, the
sport is somewhat underdeveloped in the state. Certainly each of the major cities has
municipal courts, information about which you'll find in the city and regional chapters
of this topic. If you're looking for a tennis resort experience, try Bishop's Lodge in Santa
Fe ( & 800/732-2240 or 505/983-6377; www.bishopslodge.com).
Las Vegas is a nearly ideal spot to play tennis (except in the scorching heat of summer).
One popular resort with a good spa and tennis facility is the Flamingo Las Vegas
( & 800/732-2111 or 702/733-3444; www.flamingolasvegas.com). The Las Vegas Hil-
ton ( & 800/732-7117; www.lvhilton.com) also has good courts. See chapter 18.

11 WATERSPORTS

Watersports in the Southwest? Absolutely! You'll find a variety of activities, ranging from
white-water rafting to pleasure boating.
WHITE WATER RAFTING The most notable white-water rafting experience is down
the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. If it's one of your dreams, plan well
ahead. Companies and trips are limited, and they tend to fill up early. For a discussion
and list of companies that run trips down the canyon, see chapter 16. For 1-day rafting
trips on the Colorado below the main section of the Grand Canyon, contact Hualapai
River Runners ( & 888/255-9550 or 928/769-2219; www.destinationgrandcanyon.
com). For a half-day float on the Colorado above the Grand Canyon, contact Colorado
River Discovery ( & 888/522-6644 or 928/645-9175; www.raftthecanyon.com), which
runs trips between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry.
Rafting trips are also available on the upper Salt River east of Phoenix. Wilderness
Aware Rafting ( & 800/462-7238; www.inaraft.com), Canyon Rio Rafting ( & 800/
272-3353; www.canyonrio.com), and Mild to Wild Rafting ( & 800/567-6745; www.
mild2wildrafting.com) all run trips of varying lengths down this river (conditions per-
mitting).
New Mexico offers good opportunities for white-water rafting and kayaking. The
waters in the Chama River and the Rio Grande are generally at their best during the
spring and summer (May-July). Most notable is the 1-day trip down the Taos Box Can-
yon, offering an almost nonstop series of Class IV rapids. Many reputable companies run
the Box, including Los Rios River Runners ( & 800/544-1181 or 575/776-8854; www.
losriosriverrunners.com) and Native Sons Adventures ( & 800/753-7559 or 575/758-
9342; www.nativesonsadventures.com). In addition to calling outfitters, you can contact
the Bureau of Land Management ( & 575/758-8851 ) for information.
In Utah, the town of Moab, along the Colorado River, is rapidly becoming a major
boating center. You can travel down the river in a canoe, kayak, large or small rubber raft
(with or without motor), or speedy, solid jet boat. A worthwhile and lesser-known river
trip is along the San Juan River in Bluff. This relaxing excursion will take you to relatively
unknown archaeological sites and striking rock formations. A complete list of outfitters

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