Bootlegger, Coyote Canyon, Renegade Trails Hike
A difficult 6.8-mile hike (about 3.5 hours, 255 ft gain) through the more remote parts of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, best for experienced hikers. Free; RSVP on the event page.
Free
30 events found.
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Events
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Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, United States
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Foothills Speaker Series: Backyard Astronomy
The Holland Center 34250 N 60th Rd, ScottsdaleExplore the science of astronomy and how you can get started stargazing at home with Kevin LeGore of Focus Astronomy. He will explore practical tips for getting started with astronomy at home, from choosing gear to knowing when and where to look. Afterwards, join their team to explore the night sky with professional-grade telescopes. Whether [...]
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Telescope Workshop: Operating Your Telescope
Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) 18401 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesPhoenix Astronomical Society workshop on setting up and operating your telescope, held at PVCC. End time is approximate.
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True Grit – Educational Walk
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, United StatesA one-mile walk on how women lived and worked in the McDowell Mountains, with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Lifecycle of the Saguaro – Educational Hike
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, United StatesA moderate 4-mile hike following a saguaro's growth from seed to skeleton, led by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Herb Walk at Mission Garden
Mission Gardens 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson,, AZ, United StatesA volunteer herbalist leads a guided walk through the Michael Moore Medicinal Garden at Mission Garden. Learn about the medicinal value of the plants, their traditional uses, and the knowledge surrounding them. Advance registration is required; see the Mission Garden event page for the sign-up link and price.
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Sonoran Desert Discovery – Educational Walk
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, United StatesA guided walk giving a geological and ecological overview of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's plants and animals and how they survive. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Fire in the Desert – Educational Hike
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, United StatesA moderate 2.2-mile hike on why destructive desert fires are increasing and how Conservancy research helps limit them. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Bird Walk at Mission Garden
Mission Gardens 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson,, AZ, United StatesA resident bird expert leads a walk through Mission Garden to observe the birds that live in or visit the garden. Take your time, explore the grounds, and learn about local birds. Everyone is welcome, whether you are an experienced birder or just curious. Bring binoculars and comfortable walking shoes. Meet at the front entrance. [...]
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Secrets of the Preserve – Educational Walk
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, United StatesA walk into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's plants, animals, and recent and ancient history. Bring your own water. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Cibola Youth Waterfowl Camp
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge - Visitor Center 66600 Cibola Lake Rd CibolThis mentored waterfowl hunt is for hunters between the ages of 11 and 17. This camp provides mentors, shooting instruction, waterfowl identification, calling, using blinds, field dressing, game processing and more. There will be centralized remote camping and some meals will be provided. Registration Opens: October 2, 2026 at 10:30am CDT Note: THIS EVENT REQUIRES [...]
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The World of Arthropods – Educational Walk
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, United StatesAn easy two-hour walk on the diversity of arthropods and their role in desert ecology. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Granite Mountain Loop, Balanced Rock, Black Hill Hike
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, United StatesA difficult 6.5-mile loop past a scenic overlook and Balanced Rock, with a chance to see early spring flowers near the end. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Ride to the Crested Saguaros
Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, United StatesAn easier-paced, no-drop group ride to see crested saguaros, for advanced beginner to intermediate riders with good cardio and bike handling. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Desert Discovery Ride
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, United StatesA no-drop group ride (about 3 hours) with several rest stops and some moderate climbs, for advanced beginner to intermediate riders; no high technical skill needed. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Sonoran Sundays: Sonoran Soaring: Desert Birds of Prey
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, United StatesMcDowell Sonoran Conservancy's Sonoran Sundays series at the Gateway Trailhead: Sonoran Soaring: Desert Birds of Prey, presented by Wild at Heart. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Tom’s Thumb, East End, Regional Park Hike
Tom's THumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, United StatesA very difficult 9.3-mile hike (about 5 hours, 1,500+ ft elevation change) climbing to Tom's Thumb and East End, then returning through McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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All Afield Hike with AWF at Gilbert Riparian Preserve
Gilbert Riparian PreserveThe Gilbert Riparian Preserve is one of the Valley's most important urban wildlife habitats. This guided walk with park rangers from the preserve explores wetlands, birds, and the critical role riparian areas play in desert ecosystems. Part of the Arizona Wildlife Federation's monthly All Afield Hikes series. Registration was not yet open as of this [...]
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Call of the Wild – Educational Walk
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, United StatesA walk on how desert wildlife communicates through sight, sound, scent, movement and vibration. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Hidden Desert – Educational Walk
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, United StatesA search for signs of nocturnal desert animals, such as middens, burrows and holes, along the Camino Campana. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Cathedral Rock, Amphitheater, Cholla Mountain Hike
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, United StatesA difficult 7.5-mile hike (about 3.5 hours, 280 ft gain) past several of the Preserve's iconic granite formations, best for experienced hikers. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Mistletoe and Holly – Educational Hike
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, United StatesAn easy, roughly 3-mile hike on the connections between desert plants, animals and the holidays. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Christmas Day Hike
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, United StatesA moderate 4.5-mile holiday hike on the Gateway Loop (about 2.5 hours, 700 ft gain) with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Nature’s Medicine Cabinet – Educational Walk
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, United StatesA look at how plants have been used for wellbeing, including medicinal plants found in the Preserve. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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North American Orienteering Championships 2026
Enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise, and test your navigation skills at this weeklong competition in Southeast Arizona. This event serves as the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) North American Orienteering Championships (NAOC), North American Junior Orienteering Championships (NAJOC), and North American Youth Orienteering Championships (NAYOC). There are three Event Venues, spread roughly 100 miles [...]
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Hawknest, Basalt Ridge, Cone Mountain, Latigo Hike
Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, United StatesA very difficult 9.7-mile hike (about 4.5 hours, 322 ft gain) with views and granite formations, for experienced hikers. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Observe and speak with a Paleontologist at work!
Petrified Forest National Park Visitor Center 1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest, AZ, United StatesThe Museum Demonstration Lab at the Painted Desert Visitor Center is where you can see one-of-a-kind fossils from Petrified Forest National Park being prepared by trained paleontologists! Peek through the window to see fossils from the museum collection. Watch a live microscope feed on the TV as paleontologists remove rock from fossil bone. Chat with [...]
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Mentored Dove Hunt
5000 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA 2798 E Carefree Hwy, United StatesDon't miss out! Join the wait list for this event. Multiple Small Group Mentored Late Season Dove Hunts Nov. 20 - Jan. 3, 2027 for beginning hunters. Date, time and location by arrangement. Offerings include firearm shooting, safety and target shooting practice at a safe shooting range prior to going out hunting. Then in the [...]
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Sonoran Desert Discovery – Educational Walk
Tom's THumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, United StatesA guided walk giving a geological and ecological overview of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's plants and animals. Free; RSVP on the event page.
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Mentored Quail Hunts in December
5000 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA 2798 E Carefree Hwy, United StatesMultiple Small Group Mentored Quail / Upland Bird Hunts throughout the Sesaon (Oct. 16 - Feb. 7, 2027) for new or beginning hunters. Date, time and location by arrangement. Topics include firearm shooting, safety and target shooting practice at a safe shooting range prior to going out hunting. Then in the field, your group will [...]
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