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 [...]
The fourth Annual AZTU-GCC Fish Camp for three one-week sessions starting June 4, 2023. The camp is limited to 12 campers per session, ages 13-18, and is open to both boys and girls. Although the camp is run in conjunction with GCC’s scout camp, the program is open to all. This limited size camp allows [...]
Join Ranger Evan for a fun and informative live display of venomous animals! Bring your questions and curiosity as you learn things such as the difference between venom and poison, common myths about venomous animals, and even meet a few of our animal ambassadors! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an easy-moderate after-dark trail walk on the North Pipeline Trail to search for nocturnal wildlife! There’s no predetermined distance we’ll travel; due to the heat, we will take it slow and focus on finding wildlife. A good plan would be to assume a 1–2-mile hike with the potential for less. On [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on an easy hike with Ranger Nikki. The approximate 2-mile route includes Lost Sheep, Chainfruit and Desert Hawk Trails along with the nature trail path and driveway inside the nearby Buckhorn campground. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen [...]
Learn about our desert’s variable summer weather patterns that can range from dry, intense heat to humidity and thunderstorms that can happen during “Monsoon Season”, which officially runs June 15 – September 30. This indoor class takes place inside the Nature Center classroom. Restrooms and water are available inside the Nature Center. Meeting location: Nature [...]
Interested in learning more about cacti? Then come on by to chat with Ranger Evan about his favorite topic! Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Evan will host this discovery station table at the Cave Creek Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to [...]
Join Rangers Eric and Steve to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Hiking will be easy to moderate on sandy or uneven terrain, and will be about 1-2 miles roundtrip, depending on heat and participant interest. Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Please bring [...]
Quick view itinerary: Thursday - Arrive Long Beach in evening Friday - Sailing day, 9 am depart to Catalina, Isthmus Cove Saturday - Activity day on land or sea Sunday - Sailing day, 9 am depart to Long Beach More information and the entire 2023 schedule here Contact AYC Cruising Captain Joe Motil for more [...]
Fri, June 16 – Leave the Phoenix area about 5am and explore various Prescott sites, including the Highlands Center, Watson Woods Riparian Preserve and at least one lake. In addition to year-round higher elevation birds like acorn woodpeckers and nuthatches, we hope to see some neo-tropic visitors such as tanagers, vireos, warblers, confusing flycatchers and grosbeaks. [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center for a drop-in informational session about the venomous creatures that inhabit the Sonoran Desert! Learn about popular myths surrounding rattlesnakes, Gila Monsters, and even meet a few of our wildlife ambassadors! MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center Lobby No registration required. Just drop in anytime [...]
Come to the Visitor Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. The theme is Sonoran Desert Artifacts, so bring your curiosity and your questions! A table full of interesting objects will be on hand for you to inspect. No registration required, just drop on in! MEETING LOCATION: Visitor Center. No registration required. Just [...]
Join Ranger Evan for an exciting evening hike along the Spur Cross and Metate Trails. We’ll be on the lookout for all kinds of evening-active critters, from skunks to scorpions, spiders, snakes, fox, coyote, deer, owls and more! The trail is rated easy-moderate with some rocky, uneven surfaces and some elevation change. Please bring water [...]
The hike will cover 3.6 miles on both the Gila and Baseline trails. This hike is rated as moderate due to the several inclines over the course of the hike. Plan to walk on rocky and sandy trail it is encouraged that you water supportive shoes and if inclines or declines are an issue for [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Hiking will be easy to moderate on occasionally rocky and uneven terrain, and will be about 1-2 miles roundtrip, depending on heat and participant interest. Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Please bring your [...]
Come join Ranger Kevin as we hike for roughly 2 miles on several trails within the Preserve. Trails are mostly easy, with few areas of loose or uneven terrain and very little elevation change. Animals we may encounter on this evening hike include ringtails, raccoons, skunks, bats, owls, scorpions, spiders and snakes. Be sure to [...]
The hike will cover 3.5 miles on sections of the Grey Fox, Ironwood, and Ford Canyon trails. This hike is rated as moderate due to the several inclines over the course of the hike. Plan to walk on rocky and sandy trail it is encouraged that you water supportive shoes and if inclines or declines [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a guided nature walk to learn about plants and animals of this lush preserve, including birds, mammals, reptiles, flowers and trees. This is an easy stroll on Palm Lake Loop and Mesquite Meander Trail that is just over a mile long. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. [...]
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 [...]
Wild & Edible Plants and Mushrooms of the White Mountains Join a former Arizona Parks Ranger on a short walk to Big Springs and back, and have a chance to taste some wild treats directly from nature! Suggested donation $10 for adults Kids and Members FREE
About the Event This is a classroom-based course that covers a variety of topics including boating terminology, things to know before getting on the water, how to operate your boat safely, legal requirements, and what to do in emergencies. We will be working out of a booklet so bring reading glasses if needed. You may [...]
Learn about our desert’s variable summer weather patterns that can range from dry, intense heat to humidity and thunderstorms that can happen during “Monsoon Season”, which officially runs June 15 – September 30. This indoor class takes place in the on-site classroom but please check in at the Visitor Center. Restrooms and water are available [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a drop-in informational session focused on the venomous creatures of the Sonoran Desert! Learn about some of the popular myths and misinformation surrounding venomous animals. Did you know that you can’t tell a rattlesnake’s age based on the number of buttons on its rattle? We’ll also have some ambassador animals present [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime [...]
Join wildlife photographer and biologist Bruce Taubert for an up close and personal view of many of Arizona’s predators. Bruce’s presentation will include images of mountain lions, black bears, fox, owls, rattlesnake, and many more familiar and not so familiar creatures. Some of his images include predators AND prey so be prepared! Bruce will also [...]
McDowell Mountain Summer Night Rides are back! In partnership with McDowell Mountain Cycles, we are excited to invite riders of all levels and abilities to come out and experience the trails! Rides are scheduled for the following dates: June 3, June 17, July 8, July 15, Aug 5 & Aug 19. Rides subject to cancel [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an easy 1-mile hike on the Merkle Trail to look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife! Wildlife seen on previous hikes includes snakes, lizards, owls, coyotes, javelina, bobcats, tarantulas, scorpions, and more! Please bring plenty of water, as mid-June temperatures are going to be hot, even after dark. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes [...]
Join Ranger Evan for an exciting evening hike along the park trails. We’ll be hoping to see all sorts of critters of the night! The trail is rated easy-moderate with some rocky, uneven surfaces and some elevation change. Please bring water and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Bring flashlights and black lights if you have them; [...]
Join Ranger Kevin on a 2.1-mile hike on easy to moderate terrain under a moonless summer night sky. We’ll see the desert at its darkest, with only starlight overhead. This is a great opportunity to be out when nocturnal animals tend to be active, so we’ll be on the lookout for all sorts of desert [...]
The fourth Annual AZTU-GCC Fish Camp for three one-week sessions starting June 4, 2023. The camp is limited to 12 campers per session, ages 13-18, and is open to both boys and girls. Although the camp is run in conjunction with GCC’s scout camp, the program is open to all. This limited size camp allows [...]
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