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 [...]
Bird Programs with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center following the Bird Hikes. Program will start approximately 8:45 AM after the Bird Hike. Bird Program talk and Power Point Presentation with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center following the Bird Hikes. Topics cover bird images, habits, maps, details and bird life. Program [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 2-mile easy to moderate hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert and how plants and animals survive, particularly during the summer. The route is an out-and-back on Tortoise and Hilltop Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature [...]
Learn about desert mammals with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. See pelts and skulls that hint at adaptations that allow these animals to survive and thrive in our extreme desert environment. Stop by any time between 9:30 and 10:30am. Be sure to bring your water with you. Restrooms and water are available at [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an easy 2-mile night hike on the Palm Lake, Willow Walkway, Mesquite Meander and River Ramble trails. We will be looking for all three species of scorpion native to our neck of the Sonoran Desert: Striped-tail, Bark, and, of course, the Giant Desert Hairy. Who knows what else we may see? [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2-mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Roadrunner Trail. We’ll be searching for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and more! Please wear hard-soled shoes or boots, bring plenty of water, and don’t forget a flashlight or UV light if you have one! Trails [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike. Wildlife we may see includes scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals! We will hike 1-2 miles roundtrip depending on heat and participant interest on the Slate and Flume Trails. The hike will be on easy, but occasionally [...]
Have you ever wanted to explore the desert at night? The waterfall trail is a paved for most of the distance and offers great views of the White Tank Mountains, as well as amazing plants and animals. While we will not be able to see the waterfall (which rarely runs this time of year), we [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy 2-mile hike to learn about and look for flowers and fruit of various cacti including saguaros, barrels, prickly pears, cholla and hedgehogs. The route follows the easy terrain of Horseshoe and Gila Trails. Bring plenty of water and wear closed toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are [...]
Join Ranger Eric for an easy-paced, guided walk along the Preserve trails to learn about the plants, animals, ecology, and history of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Please wear sun protection and carry ample water. Binoculars are available to borrow at the Visitor Center. We will hike about 1 mile on mostly flat, but occasionally sandy [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a talk about the many types of snakes that inhabit our Valley region of the Sonoran Desert. From the ubiquitous Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to constrictors such as the gopher snake, coachwhip, Western Patch-nosed and more, become familiar with the characteristics, habitats and behaviors to help you understand their important place in [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a Friday “lunch and learn” presentation in the Nature Center classroom. This week’s topic will be the North American Monsoon. What is it? What causes it? What impact does it have on the Sonoran Desert? Find these answers and more! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center classroom Limit 15 participants. To register, please [...]
Join us for Stunner Night Runs at the beautiful Usery Mountain Regional Park. This flat and fast course utilizes the Chain Fruit, Lost Sheep, Channel, and Blevins Trails. Wind through Chain Fruit cholla at the base of Pass Mountain. This race is part of the 2023 Insomniac Night Trail Run Series with events all across the state [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for birds of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips by sight and sound for birds, as well as their ecological roles. We will hike [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on an easy/moderate hike with Ranger Nikki. The approximate 2-mile is an out-and-back hike on Mule Deer Trail. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center. Meeting [...]
Come walk among some of the White Mountain’s most beautiful wildflowers in a forest setting and around a beautiful spring. Each month’s hike promises new surprises! Suggested donation of $10 for adults Kids and Members FREE
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the aptly-named Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for dragonflies and damselflies of Sonoran Desert riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips of dragonflies and damselflies, and talk about their ecological roles. At least 50 species [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a fun bat chat to bust some popular myths and set the record straight on an important member of our desert ecosystem. Learn where bats live, what they eat, why you shouldn’t be afraid of them and more! Wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available [...]
Interested in learning more about cacti? Then come on by to chat with Ranger Eric and see examples of the cacti diversity of the Sonoran Desert. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Cave Creek Nature Center. Nearby there are live [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center for an interactive display of various rocks, gems, and minerals native to our Sonoran Desert. Get hands on and hold items like basalt, quartz, obsidian, and malpais! Learn how volcanism, plate tectonics, and erosion shaped our landscape. MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center No registration [...]
Night Shredders Shred the day away. Cooler nights on the trails will remind you how good it is to shed your schedules and responsibilities. You'll spend an evening with less conversation and more grinning with your friends. First time joining us? WELCOME! No rider is left behind. Riders must have some trail experience. Moderate fitness. [...]
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation is hosting its first-ever Seed Bomb Workshop on July 27, 2023, from 8:00 am until 11:30 am at Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center. What is that you ask? That is an event we get together and create seed bombs with native seed that was collected in the parks, add clay and compost. [...]
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 bats, ringtails, foxes, skunks, javelinas, deer, owls, scorpions, insects, and other cool creepy crawlies! Please bring your own flashlights and blacklights if you have them, but some will [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 3-mile hike on the Spur Cross, Metate, and Fairy Duster trails. We will be talking about the importance of native plants in restoring desert habitat that has been degraded due to things like wildfire, human use and overgrazing. We may even get the opportunity to observe as “seed bombs” [...]
Join Maricopa County Natural Resource Manager Juanita Armstrong-Ullberg for an approximately 4-5-mile hike on the Go John trail, as well as around the Nature Center and the Native Seed Garden. We will be talking about the importance of native plants in restoring desert habitat that has been degraded due to things like wildfire, human use [...]
A discovery table will be set up in the Visitor Center with a variety of native plants collected from the park system that have either edible or medicinal properties. A ranger will be available to answer your questions and to identify they plants you have found during your hikes in the parks. MEETING LOCATION: Visitor [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center for an interactive display of venomous animals and a discussion of their vital role in our ecosystem, “busting” myths about their behaviors, and have all your questions answered! Get hands on and hold items like snake skins, rattles, and even skeletons! MEETING LOCATION: [...]
Look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Wildlife we may see includes scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals! We will hike 1-2 miles roundtrip depending on heat and participant interest on the Blevins and Amigos Wash Trails. The hike will be on easy, but sandy [...]
One of the toughest most spectacular mountain races in all of North America in a little known mountain range near Beaver, Utah. The Tushar Mountains are a hidden gem of high altitude peaks, mountain canyons, alpine lakes and stunning terrain. Come find out for yourself why this is a MUST DO race. The Tushars Mountain [...]
A discovery station will be set up in the nature center. On display will be a variety of native plants collected from the park system that have either edible or medicinal properties. A ranger will be available to answer your questions and to identify they plants you have found during your hikes in the parks. [...]
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