What makes a cactus a cactus? How can plants survive scorching temperatures? Can you eat Cactus? Get the answers to these questions on Ranger Evan’s Crazy for Cacti walk. This loop begins at the north end of the park. We will be hiking approximately 3 miles, with very little elevation change. Please bring plenty of [...]

Hike with Ranger Derik along Lake Pleasant as you learn about the common plants found in the Sonoran Desert. Click on program title for more details. We will be easy hiking 3.5 miles out and back on the Wild Burro Trail starting from the Wild Burro Day Use Area. The trailhead offers a bathroom as [...]

Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate hike to look for cactus blooms and common spring pollinators – butterflies. Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki on a 3-mile easy/moderate hike to look for cactus blooms and common spring pollinators – butterflies. You can learn about the Parks Department butterfly monitoring initiative and receive [...]

An easy/moderate hike with Ranger Derik to take in the views along the Hassayampa River. Click program title for more details. We will hike from the Visitor Center down along the River Ramble Trail and up to Lykes Lookout for a 1.3-mile hike. The trail is gradual until the short but steep climb up Lykes [...]

Join Ranger Nikki on a 2-mile easy/moderate hike to look for cactus blooms and common spring pollinators – butterflies. You can learn about the MCPRD butterfly monitoring initiative and receive an identification handout to help with your own observations. The route includes Spur Cross and Metate Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat [...]

Moderate hike with Ranger Derik to learn about the native Sonoran Desert plants and animals. Click on program title for more details. This will be a 4-mile hike through the foothills of the Estrella Mountains and learn about the native plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. We will meet for the hike [...]

Join Ranger Steve on an easy-moderate hike to look for nocturnal wildlife. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Steve on a 2.5-mile easy-moderate hike from the Pemberton Trailhead down to Pemberton Pond to look for signs of nocturnal desert wildlife such as reptiles, bobcats, coyotes, bats, and others. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring [...]

Join Ranger Nikki on a 2.5-mile Earth Day stroll to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert. Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki on a 2.5-mile Earth Day stroll to explore our fascinating Sonoran Desert. Identify various plants and animals and learn how they survive in our extreme environment. The route includes [...]