The Insomniac Night Trail Run Series consists of six night runs throughout the Maricopa County Regional Parks from April through September. It's our way of escaping the summer heat while continuing to race and experience both familiar and unfamiliar trails in a different light. Distances range from 5 kilometers to 75 kilometers. Save 20-25% on registration when [...]
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 [...]
Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences, and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on mapping, and removing invasive species within the parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park's natural ecosystems and contributed [...]
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 [...]
About the Event Southern Arizona Quail Forever and Borderlands Restoration Network will conduct a habitat project on Earth Day 21 and 22 Apr 9 AM to 1 PM. Volunteers will help build rock dams which will slow water runoff and trap soil. This is primarily focused on Means Quail but will benefit multiple wildlife species. [...]
Stop by the Spur Cross Trailhead to see a display of desert plants that have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Learn about common plants such as brittlebush, bursage, creosote and more that were used to ease various ailments from bug bites to toothaches. MEETING LOCATION: Main Trailhead at the map kiosk, covered seating [...]
About the Event Learn to hunt wild turkeys at this mentored turkey hunting camp. Seminars, outdoor skills, activities, camping and meals provided. This hunt does not require a draw (Non-permit/Over The Counter) Location: White Mountains area, near Crescent & Big Lake area Hosted by: Youth Outdoors Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Arizona Elk Society, Rocky [...]
About the Event Learn to hunt Arizona’s wild turkeys in this mentored turkey hunting camp. Seminars, outdoor skills, activities, camping and meals provided. To apply for this hunt, use Hunt Number 4060 (6A). Units 5A & 5B do not require a draw (Non-permit tag/Over The Counter) Location: Happy Jack area, V bar V Ranch, serving [...]
About the Event Learn to hunt Arizona’s wild turkeys in this mentored turkey hunting camp. Seminars, outdoor skills, activities, camping and meals provided. To apply for this hunt, use Hunt Number 4059 (Unit 3C) or Hunt Number 4062 (Unit 23), Units 4A & 4B are Non-Permit tags/Over The Counter Location: Colcord Ridge Campground, East of [...]
This is not a park sponsored event A permitted running event will be occurring in the park. There will be a short sprint run in the evening on 4/21 and a longer race the full day on 4/22. The event will be staged out of the Four Peaks Staging Area and use the following trails: Escondido, Pemberton, [...]
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 [...]
We will be camping out under the stars for our April Red Ridge work weekend. Our starting point is TBD. When/Where: TBD What to bring: -Long work pants or jeans (no shorts or yoga pants please) -Closed toe shoes/work boots -Long sleeve shirts (recommended but not required) -Eye protection -Hat -Pack with [...]
Join experienced birder Joe Ford for a morning bird walk followed by a special presentation! Join experienced local birder Joe Ford for a morning bird walk on the park trails followed by a special presentation inside the Nature Center entitled "Bird Weirdness II." Please meet on the south patio of the Nature Center at 7am. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
We will be heading down the trail with the overnight crew to knock back the overgrowth and address erosion. However we'll only spend the day and then hike back out. When/Where: Red Ridge trailhead What to bring: -Long work pants or jeans (no shorts or yoga pants please) -Closed toe shoes/work boots -Long [...]
Each year the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society builds or redevelops five or six water holes under the direction of the state and federal agencies responsible for the management of desert bighorn sheep habitat. The projects are usually scheduled January through May and require one weekend to complete.
Nerdy For Birdies is a youth birdwatching club that was started in Phoenix, Arizona in 2019, by Rowyn Balman an avid teen birder. Sadly Rowyn and his sister passed away in a tragic car accident on November 7, 2022. Both he and his sister had a passion for the natural world and conservation. Rowyn fell [...]
Hassayampa River Preserve Mesquite Festival. Discover all the “Tree of Life” has to offer at this free, family-friendly community event. Click program title for more details. Discover all the “Tree of Life” has to offer at this free, family-friendly community event. There will be cooking tips, food sampling, kids games, and information on the ecology, [...]
The Griffin Ranch is one of five being inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame this year ! Join APC on April 22nd at Griffin Ranch in our effort to maintain and improve land owner relations and keep open access to public lands. In 1992 the Arizona Game and Fish Department initiated [...]
About the Event For families that have little to no experience camping. Learn the basics of AZ's State Parks, and about hiking, archery, geocaching, fishing, local wildlife, campfire stories, bike clinic, service projects, and more. Fee required. Hosted by: Arizona State Parks
Discover the world around you through play! Drop-in for a few minutes or for the whole two hours. Each weekend will be a different theme/activity. Family program for all ages. Free with Admission($19) or Membership.
Stop by the Nature Center to see Ranger Nikki’s display of desert cacti specimens. Click on program title for more details. Stop by the Nature Center to see a display of desert cacti specimens, including saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion and varieties of cholla; learn about efforts to catalog plant species in the County Parks using [...]
This Earth Day, join Ranger Steve to walk in the footsteps of the Ancient Hohokam and learn about their culture and their relationship with nature! Celebrate Earth Day and join Ranger Steve on a 3-mile easy-moderate hike on the Black Rock and Waterfall Trails as we search for signs of the ancient Hohokam Culture and [...]
Experience the magic of night trail running in the Sonoran Desert at the Sinister Night Trail Runs held on a rolling and runnable 9 kilometer loop at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. This is a perfect beginner night trail race with distances for all. Run past towering saguaro cactus under the night stars. This race [...]
Take a break from the lake and join Ranger Derik on a 4-mile hike through the less traveled parts of the park on the Beardsley Trail. During the hike you will have to opportunity to learn about amazing wildlife that call the Sonoran Desert home. The hike will start from the Frog Tanks Trailhead on [...]
Join Ranger Derik on a strenuous hike through the rugged White Tank mountains and look for unique plant species. Click on program title for more details. Come on a strenuous 4.5-mile hike through the white tank mountains on the search for great views and the unique elephant trees that dot the hillsides. The trail is [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 4.5-mile moderate hike to learn about the park’s geology and some of the earth processes the created our Phoenix Valley area. This hike includes portions of Goldmine, Dynamite and San Tan Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, snacks, a hat and sunscreen. MEETING LOCATION: Main Entrance Trailhead map kiosk/picnic [...]
Come to the Nature Center any time from 9am- 12 Pm and get up close and personal with several snake species native to the Sonoran Desert. Ranger Derik will be available to answer any questions about the snakes. There will be a hands-on display table with snake sheds, rattle snake rattles, snake skins and coloring [...]
Join Ranger Evan on this fantastic hike through the Sonoran Desert looking at wildflowers! Though we may only do a little frolicking ourselves; we hope to see some Sonoran Desert fauna frolicking their way into summer. Please enter the park through the NORTH ENTRANCE of Lake Pleasant (about 1.5 miles north of the main entrance). [...]
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