Join Ranger Nikki on a moderate hike to look for cactus blooms and look for common spring pollinators – butterflies. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki on a 3.5-mile easy moderate hike to look for cactus blooms and common spring pollinators – butterflies. You can learn about the MCPRD butterfly monitoring initiative [...]
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 [...]
Visit Ranger Derik at the visitor center to learn about the native trees that call the Sonoran Desert home. On display at the nature center will be tables with samples of native tree species, pictures, as well information on the benefits and services that these native plants provide us and the natural ecosystem.
Join Ranger Evan on this climb up to Yavapai Point as we take in the view of the lake and flowers! Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Evan on with this fantastic hike through the Sonoran Desert looking at wildflowers! Though we may only do a little frolicking ourselves; we hope to [...]
Stop by the Nature Center to see Ranger Nikki’s display of desert cacti specimens including saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion and varieties of cholla. Stop by the Nature Center to see a display of desert cacti specimens and learn about efforts to catalog plant species in the County Parks using the iNaturalist citizen science app. MEETING [...]
About the Event For adult women in a fun, safe environment. Learn fishing, hunting, kayaking,hiking, rappelling and camping. Includes evening activities, meals and lodging. Fee required. Location: Prescott Area Hosted by: Arizona Wildlife Federation Register: www.azwildlife.org/bow/, (480) 201-7456, bow@azwildlife.org
About the Event For adult women in a fun, safe environment. Learn fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, rappelling and camping. Includes evening activities, meals and lodging. Fee required. Location: Prescott Area Hosted by: Arizona Wildlife Federation Register: www.azwildlife.org/bow/, (480) 201-7456, bow@azwildlife.org
Join Ranger Evan on this joyous loop hike through the Sonoran Desert! Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Evan on this fantastic 3-4-mile 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 [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a moderate hike to learn all about cacti. Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki on a 3.5-mile moderate hike to learn all about cacti: saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, barrel and more. The route includes Moonlight, San Tan and Goldmine Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a [...]
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.
Join Ranger Evan on this easy hike around the serene south end of the park! Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Evan on with this fantastic 3-4-mile hike through the desert looking at wildflowers! Though we may only do a little frolicking ourselves; we hope to see some Sonoran Desert fauna frolicking [...]
Lake Pleasant is creating a Monday clean-up crew. If you are available on any Monday, please join us as we pick up litter along the shoreline. Date- Every Monday from 4/10/23-10/30/23 Time – April 7:00am-9:00am May-Oct 6:00am-8:00am Location – Park at Castle Hot Springs dirt lot near the entry station. Meet with Park Assistant Doug [...]
To celebrate the second year of Aravaipa's iconic 250-mile trail race, the Cocodona 250, we're bringing a slice of Arizona to you! Inspired by the week-long in-person event, the Cocodona Virtual Experience is your chance to rack up 250+ miles on your local trails or treadmill, starting the same day the in-person racers hit the [...]
Learn about birds of Sonoran Desert riparian areas during this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for more details. 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 [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for reptiles of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips, as well as their ecological roles and safety around venomous animals. We will hike about [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a 3-mile hike on the easy to moderate terrain to learn about a variety of plant life, including brittlebush and bursage shrubs, cacti and legume trees. The route follows Butterfield, Dysart and Coldwater Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms are available at the trailhead [...]
Maricopa County Parks is hosting several native seed harvest events in April and May at several of our parks. The native seed harvested will be planted in habitat enhancement projects, invasive species removal areas, and parks impacted by wildfires. Collecting and planting local seed genotypes will help maintain the park's biodiversity and sustainability through climate [...]
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 Blevins Trailhead located at the Trail Staging Area (east side of the park). We will be hiking approximately 3 miles, with [...]
The hike will follow sections of the Spur Cross and Metate Trails for 3 miles as the path moves from desert landscape down into riparian habitat. Hikers will be rewarded with impressive Saguaro Cacti and a variety of cholla species. The trail is rated as easy, but it can be sandy and rocky at times [...]
Join Ranger Nikki to learn all about desert tortoises and watch Tierra the Tortoise enjoy her breakfast. Learn all about desert tortoises during an indoor class and activity session with Ranger Nikki. You can also watch as Estrella’s resident tortoise ambassador, Tierra, enjoys her leafy green breakfast. Meeting Location: Nature Center Classroom Limit 25 participants. [...]
Want to watch the sunset with a great view? Want to learn more about the desert environment? Want to go for a splendid evening hike? If the answer is yes, then this hike is perfect for you! Join Ranger Evan as we hike along the Tortoise and Hilltop trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. [...]
A permitted mountain bike racing event will be occurring in the park. The event will be staged out of the Four Peaks Lot, parking will take place in Four Peaks and use the following trails: Small portion of Pemberton, Scenic, Cinch, Shallmo Wash, & Escondido The inbound lane on the main park road will be closed for [...]
Would you like to learn more about birdwatching and community science? Join Ranger Eric for a "Big Sit" style bird count in the front garden at the Visitor Center as we learn about birds and learn about community science, using eBird. We will discuss basic bird identification tips and counting methods. Bird feeders are located [...]
Maricopa County Parks-Desert Defenders-Native Seed Harvest Maricopa County Parks is hosting several native seed harvest events in April and May at several of our parks. The native seed harvested will be planted in habitat enhancement projects, invasive species removal areas, and parks impacted by wildfires. Collecting and planting local seed genotypes will help maintain the [...]
Maricopa County Parks-Desert Defenders-Native Seed Harvest Maricopa County Parks is hosting several native seed harvest events in April and May at several of our parks. The native seed harvested will be planted in habitat enhancement projects, invasive species removal areas, and parks impacted by wildfires. Collecting and planting local seed genotypes will help maintain the [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about aquatic life in the Hassayampa River and Palm Lake with a guided walk and then classroom microscope activities to get close-up views of animals and plants. This is geared towards homeschoolers ages 6-12, but all ages welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Please [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. 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: Back patio of Nature Center.
Join Ranger Nikki on a 2.5-mile hike on easy to moderate terrain to watch the full moon rise. The route will follow the park’s service road and loop back to return via Moonlight Trail. Restrooms and a drinking fountain are available at the park entrance. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water. No pets, [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a 1.8-mile hike on the Overton, Clay Mine and Go John Trails. Trail segments are rated easy, with just a few sections of loose rock and/or elevation change. We’ll enjoy the beauty of a quiet outdoor evening, walking through a desert landscape silvered by the moon and stars (weather permitting, of [...]
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 [...]
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