The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) is open to public bird watching tours on Sunday mornings year round. Group size is limited to 15 people, first come, first served. Arrive before the starting time (7:00am) to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must [...]

Introduction to Upland Bird Hunting for women and youth is for experienced shotgun athletes. This is not a program to provide shotgun shooting instruction. Experienced shotgun shooters will learn from mentors how to hunt pheasants and chukars with the use of bird dogs. It consists of three hunting groups with three hunters each, and each [...]

This free event will begin at 9AM with a guided tour of the ruins at 10AM by retired Tonto National Forest Archaeologist Scott Wood. Ancient Hohokam Indians fortified this hilltop during the late 1000s, building massive walls of stone around its upper levels. As many as 100 people may have occupied its 40 masonry rooms [...]

Join Ranger Kevin for a 2.8-mile hike along the Gila, Baseline and Horseshoe trails as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well as the butterflies that visit them. You will learn about the Parks Department butterfly monitoring initiative and receive an identification handout to help with your own [...]

Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Bring your burning desert questions! Try to stump the Ranger! Impress your friends and enemies alike with your new-found knowledge! We’ll also have a table full of interesting objects like bones, feathers, snake sheds, cactus boots and much more for you to touch [...]

What do the current drought conditions and water concerns mean for Arizonans? Are there viable solutions to reduce the risk of depleted water resources for the future of our state? Join us for this important discussion about Arizona's water and our future by one of the state's leading authorities. This event is free, though donations [...]

Join Ranger Kevin for an exciting evening hike along the Black Rock Loop trail. 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 with little loose rock, uneven surfaces or elevation change. Please bring water and [...]

Bird walk at the San Pedro House led by docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River and other local organizations.

“Over the Hump” Mountain Bike Ride:  Interrupt your work week with a good ole fashioned trail ride.  Trails are flowy with some moderate climbs and downhill descents, a few technical areas: advanced-beginner to Intermediate skill level. First trail spin at night? Our rides are No Drop.  Bring mountain or gravel bike, helmet, lights (at least [...]

“Invasive species are among 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 removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 3.5 miles roundtrip on a loop of Slate, Jasper, Go John, Quartz Trails. It will be on moderate grade, with frequently rocky or uneven ground. Please dress in layers, wear protective clothing and/or [...]

Free event, open to the public (weather permitting). Starts outside the Visitor Center, then walks the Peninsula Trail (paved), and the Delta Trail (unpaved). Be prepared to talk about 1.5 miles outdoors. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring water. Directions:  From Lake Havasu City: Travel approximately 17 miles south on Hwy [...]

Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]

Join Ranger Eric at the Cave Creek Nature Center to watch birds around the feeders and learn bird identification basics, field guides and apps, and citizen science. Chairs will be available to use and the area we will be is also handicapped accessible. The back windows of the Nature Center give a great view of common [...]

Join Ranger Steve at the 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: Discovery Center No registration required, [...]

Enjoy an evening of stargazing with astronomy enthusiast Ranger Steve! We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include plants, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also look at constellations with a laser pointer. Bring your questions! Family friendly program. Restrooms are available nearby, but please bring your own water/beverages. Please [...]

This project has a history of 36 years --  the first Riparian Specialist hired by the Tonto National Forest knew the value of repeat photography in documenting resource conditions.  He had the foresight to initiate a riparian photopoint program in 1988 --  finding important reaches of streamside vegetation and taking clear photographs of the vegetation [...]

Invasive species are among 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 removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

Invasive species are among 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 removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

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 [...]

Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]

Join the Wickenburg Conservation Foundation to learn about edible desert foods -- how to find, harvest and process them. Class includes sampling 10 or more desert foods! ​Class is co-hosted by Wickenburg Parks and Recreation.  Registration costs $15, payable by cash or check. Please register online prior to the event. This class will be held [...]

Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 7.2 miles roundtrip on the Elephant Mountain loop, including segments of Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain Trails. It will be on moderate to difficult grade, with frequently rocky or uneven ground. Please [...]

Join Ranger Steve at the Nature 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: Visitor Center No registration required, [...]

Enjoy an evening of stargazing with astronomy enthusiast Ranger Steve! We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include plants, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also look at constellations with a laser pointer. Bring your questions! Family friendly program. Restrooms are available nearby, but please bring your own water/beverages. Please [...]

Invasive species are among 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 removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

The increase of forest fires shows how the desert is changing. Wet winter and spring seasons in 2019 and 2020 encouraged plant growth, including invasive species which compete with native plants for water and nutrients. As a consequence, non-native plants provided the fuel to carry the fires over hundreds of thousands of acres, and to [...]

Are you looking to do a very challenging hike, but don’t want to go alone? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6-mile hike on the scenic Ford Canyon trail. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife and springtime wildflowers as we go. Trail conditions are rated difficult to extremely difficult, so expect loose rock, uneven terrain, [...]

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 [...]

Join one of our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for walking. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available for those [...]

Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]

Explore the wonders of the Sonoran Desert while you hone your skills on the varied terrain of one of Pima County’s beautiful desert trails that coincides with AZT passage 8. Trail running offers a wonderful opportunity to explore and connect with the natural world, while providing a fun and engaging way to get a great [...]

Join the San Tan Valley Master Gardeners for this outdoor drop-in program that investigates farming and gardening practices of the early native people of the desert Southwest. Adults and kids can learn about ancient technologies that were used to harvest and utilize the small (and occasionally immense) amount of rainfall that occurs in our desert [...]

Join a walking tour of the Spanish Presidio of Santa Cruz de Terrenate with FSPR docent Jeff Hustad. This fort was operational during the late 1770s, the centerpiece for a planned Spanish occupation of the San Pedro River Valley that failed. This is a three-mile round trip walk over trails and uneven ground. The return [...]

Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 2.9 miles on the North Trail loop. It is rated as easy, but has some uneven or sandy surfaces. Please dress in layers, wear protective clothing and/or sunscreen, wear sturdy footwear, and carry [...]

Come Explore Lake Pleasant Regional Park! ABOUT US: Come explore Lake Pleasant Regional Park! Join us in the Discovery Center, where you’ll learn about the: Park’s history, Trails, Services, amenities, and much more! ACTIVITIES: Our friendly rangers and park volunteers can’t wait to talk to you about the park programs and volunteer opportunities. Park partners [...]

Enjoy an evening of stargazing with astronomy enthusiast Ranger Steve! We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also look at constellations with a laser pointer. Bring your questions! Family friendly program. Restrooms are available nearby, but please bring your own water/beverages. Please [...]