Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the White Tank Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 11am-1pm! MEETING LOCATION: [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert on this easy to moderate hike. Along the way, we will discuss basic bird identification, ecology of the Sonoran Desert, and how birds are adapted to this arid environment. We will meet at the Area 2 Bajada [...]
Join Ranger Nikki to learn about plants that grow along the upper park trails and those that grow along lower areas along the creek. The route uses Spur Cross, Tortuga and Dragonfly trails and a short portion of roadway to return to the parking lot for a total of 4 miles. The terrain ranges from [...]
Join Ranger Kevin as we learn how to make - or strengthen - our connection with nature through the practice of Silent Walking and Sit Spots. This is a beginner’s level class, so anyone who is interested in cultivating the skills needed to appreciate the natural world in greater depth is welcome. We will learn [...]
Join one of our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for walking. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available for those [...]
Join Friends of the Tonto NF in removing fountain and buffel grasses at Massacre Grounds Trailhead
Join Ranger Steve for an evening of stargazing and astronomy education! We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also look at constellations with a laser pointer. Bring your questions! Family friendly program. Restrooms are available nearby, but please bring your own water/beverages. [...]
The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) is open to public bird watching tours on Sunday mornings year round. Group size is limited to 15 people, first-come, first- served. Arrive before the starting time to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must stay with [...]
Meet for a bird walk at Gilbert Riparian Preserve, at the west end of the parking lot at 6:00 a.m.; social time at Coffee Rush starts at 7:30 a.m..
Bird walk at the San Pedro House led by docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River and other local organizations.
Come hike the Scenic Trail with Ranger Shaun for a combination sunset-full moon hike. Scenic Trail is a 3.5-mile hike on a medium difficulty trail. Restrooms and water will be available at the trailhead. Sunscreen, plenty of water, and dressing in layers is recommended as the temperature may drop quickly after dark. Flashlights also encouraged. [...]
Ranger Nikki will lead you on a walk as the sun sets and the moon rises. The route follows the Service Road and Moonlight Trails for a 2.5 mile loop. Most of the route is level but there are portions of Moonlight Trail that are rocky and uneven with a moderate rating. Flashlight recommended. Wear [...]
Across the Years is the original fixed-time multi-day running event celebrating the New Year! Runners select their event and cover as much distance as possible. Each runner is free to walk, stop, eat, sleep whenever they wish, but the clock is always running! Starting December 28, we celebrate the traditions of pedestrianism and fixed-time racing with a [...]
Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
Looking for something to do with the kids over winter break? You found it! Join Ranger Kevin for this 1-mile hike on the Rainbow Valley, Baseline and Toothaker trails. Prior to the hike, we’ll talk about the Junior Ranger program, set every young person up with their own activity book, and then we’ll actually do [...]
Join one of our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for walking. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available for those [...]
Interpretive walk led by docents of the Friends of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro House, a 1930’s-era converted ranch house operating as a gift and bookstore, leads guided interpretive walks/hikes along the river and throughout the adjacent area, presents educational programs to schools and community groups, and assists the BLM in a variety [...]
A wash can be a pretty interesting place, especially when you go with a Ranger! Join Ranger Shaun and learn about what washes are, how they’re formed, and why their important to their ecosystems as we walk parts of Pemberton and Granite trail before dropping into Stoneman’s Wash for the majority our return trip. Along [...]
Enjoy a stroll with a TRACKS member who will expound on additional opportunities to enjoy group hiking with knowledgeable people from around the White Mountains! Suggested donation of $10 for adults Kids and Members FREE
This is a one-way guided walk (almost 6 miles) with Ranger Nikki designed to help 100 Miles Challenge participants attain their “third park” requirement by traveling on a segment of the Maricopa Trail. This walk is also open to non-participants. You must make travel arrangements ahead of time to be dropped off/picked up or have a [...]
The Desert looks different in the dark. Come along with Ranger Shaun and see how much. Click program title for more details. Ranger Shaun is returning to this morning’s trail for another hike. Come join him, or even better RE-join him! See how different the desert can be in the dark as we look along [...]
Limit 10. Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours prowl of the Preserve trails to look for nocturnal animals and scorpions! Click on this program title for more details. Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Preserve! Wildlife seen on past walks have included [...]
We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through the 12” observatory telescope as well as a smaller telescope. Possibilities include plants, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also look at constellations with a laser pointer. Bring your questions and your curiosity! Family friendly program. Restrooms and water are available at the Desert Outdoor Center but [...]
The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) is open to public bird watching tours on Sunday mornings year round. Group size is limited to 15 people, first-come, first- served. Arrive before the starting time to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must stay with [...]
Join one of our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for walking. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available for those [...]
Chandler Family Birdwalks Veterans Oasis Park Chandler 8am - noon Monthly on the first Saturday of the month, November through April. Come out with the kids to walk around the water recharge ponds at the City of Chandler's Veterans Oasis Park, This bird-walk is sponsored by Desert Rivers Audubon and The City of Chandler. We [...]
Register here to join Friends of the Tonto NF in removing fountain and buffel grasses.
Coffee, Casting, Camaraderie & Trash Pick-up
Join docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River for a tour of the Murray Springs mammoth kill site. Vance Haynes led an expedition here in the 1970s that found the remains of megafauna that had been hunted, killed, butchered, and consumed by the Clovis Paleo-Indians 13,000 years ago. This is an easy walk [...]
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