Let us know you found us at Be Outdoors Arizona!

Epic Trail Rides at Night Intermediate Level Night Shredders Mountain Bike Ride

San Tan Mountain Regional Park 6533 W. Phillips Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142, Arizona

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. [...]

Seed Bomb Workshop

Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207, USA

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. [...]

Creatures of the Night Walk (Registration Required, Limit 10 Participants)

Hassayampa River Preserve 49614 U.S. Hwy. 60 89 Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Arizona

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 [...]

Native Seed Deployment Hike (Registration Required, Limit 20 Participants)

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area 44000 N Spur Cross Rd, Cave Creek, United States

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” [...]

Native Seed Deployment Hike (Registration Required, Limit 20 Participants)

Cave Creek Regional Park, 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, USA

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 [...]

Discovery Station: Edible Desert Plants

Hassayampa River Preserve 49614 U.S. Hwy. 60 89 Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Arizona

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 [...]

Discovery Station: Venomous Creatures

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, AZ 85342, USA 39401 N Lake Pleasant Rd, United States

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: [...]

Creatures of the Night Walk (Registration Required, Limit 12)

Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207, USA

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 [...]

Discovery Station: Edible Desert Plants

Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207, USA

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. [...]

Desert 101 Hike

Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207, USA

This hike will cover 2.6 miles of the Lost Sheep Trail and is rated as easy. We will be walking on mostly sandy and uneven ground so make sure to wear proper shoes. During they hike you will be able to learn about the many native plant and animal species that call the Sonoran Desert [...]

Discovery Station: Cactus Curiosity

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, AZ 85342, USA 39401 N Lake Pleasant Rd, United States

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 [...]

Clay Mine Tour (Registration Required, Limit 20 Participants)

Cave Creek Regional Park, 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, USA

Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 1.8-mile round-trip hike to the Clay Mine, site of a fortune made not of gold, but of snake oil. Program features a tour of the mine itself. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended. Restrooms are available at the Nature [...]

Discovery Station: Sonoran Desert Artifacts

Cave Creek Regional Park, 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, USA

The discovery theme is Sonoran Desert Artifacts, so bring your curiosity and your questions for Ranger Kevin to answer! A table full of interesting objects will be on hand for you to inspect. Come into the Nature Center anytime between 10:00am to 12:00pm. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center classroom No registration required. Just stop by anytime [...]

Discovery Station: Venomous Creatures

San Tan Mountain Regional Park 6533 W. Phillips Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142, Arizona

Join Ranger Steve in the San Tan 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: Nature Center No [...]

Night Hike and Scorpion Hunt (Registration Required, Limit 20 Participants)

Hassayampa River Preserve 49614 U.S. Hwy. 60 89 Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Arizona

We will be hiking slowly along the river ramble and lykes lookout trails for 1.5 miles as we hunt for scorpions, and other nocturnal creatures that call the Hassayampa river home. We will be on sandy and rocky trails to please make sure to wear appropriate footwear. It is also encouraged that you bring plenty [...]

Guided Bird Walk (Registration Required, Limit 10 Participants)

Hassayampa River Preserve 49614 U.S. Hwy. 60 89 Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Arizona

Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species within the diverse desert riparian habitat of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Along the way, we will discuss eBird and citizen science, how to identify birds by sight and sound, and about the behavioral and ecological traits that make them [...]

Sunday Lunch & Learn: What is the Monsoon?

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, AZ 85342, USA 39401 N Lake Pleasant Rd, United States

Join Ranger Steve for a Sunday “lunch and learn” presentation in the Discovery 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: Discovery Center Limit 12 participants. To register, please email [...]

Epic Trail Rides at Night Intermediate Level Night Shredders Mountain Bike Ride

San Tan Mountain Regional Park 6533 W. Phillips Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142, Arizona

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. [...]

Morning Cactus Hike (Registration Required, Limit 20 Participants)

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area 44000 N Spur Cross Rd, Cave Creek, United States

On this hike you will get to see a variety of cactus species and learn about their many adaptations to survive in the harsh Sonoran Desert climate. We will hike the 3.3-mile Tortuga Trail starting from the covered picnic table just past the contact station. The trail is rocky, steep and uneven in many places [...]

Night Shredders Mountain Bike Ride

San Tan Mountain Regional Park 6533 W. Phillips Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142, Arizona

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. [...]

Desert Photography Hike (Registration Required, Limit 15 Participants)

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, AZ 85342, USA 39401 N Lake Pleasant Rd, United States

We will hike 2 miles along the Pipeline Canyon Trail and stop periodically to take pictures of the plants, animals and landscapes found in the Sonoran Desert. The trail is rated as moderate with gradual elevation gain in sometimes rocky trail. We will be starting early in the morning, but it is encouraged that you [...]

Guided Hike: Desert Birds and Their Homes

Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207, USA

Watch for birds on a 2-mile hike with Ranger Nikki on easy trails near the Nature Center and see if you can spot their homes camouflaged among the cholla cacti and trees. You can also learn about ways to help with bird identification using books and apps. (This hike is followed by a separate indoor [...]

Bird ID Basics

Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207, USA

Ranger Nikki will present a slideshow of common birds seen at Usery and in local suburban backyards. See some sample field guides and learn about birding apps that use visual and even sound cues to suggest identifications. (There is a separate hike prior to this indoor class to search for birds and their homes along [...]

Discovery Station: Venomous Creature

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 AZ, United States

Talk with Ranger Shaun about some of the venomous creatures of the Sonoran Desert and maybe even see a few! Dispel some common myths, learn how to identify venomous creatures, as well as frequently encountered, non-venomous mimic species! Who knows what you might discover? MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Stop by any time [...]

Discovery Station: Sonoran Desert Geology

Cave Creek Regional Park, 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, USA

Did you know that the Cave Creek area is rich in volcanic geology? Stop by the Nature Center from 12pm to 2pm to learn about the unique geological processes that shaped the Sonoran Desert and see some beautiful rock specimens up close. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Stop by any time between 12:00 [...]

Life Along the Gila River

Estrella Mountain Regional Park 14805 W. Vineyard Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85338, Arizona

Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 2-mile hike along the Plant Research Trail and the south bank of the Gila River. We’ll explore the riparian habitat for interesting plants and animals while we discuss the importance of rivers like the Gila to the health and diversity of desert life. The trail is mostly easy, but [...]

Cactus Hike

White Tanks Regional Park 20304 West White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, AZ, United States

Learn about a variety of cacti in the park: saguaros, barrels, cholla, prickly pear and more. Join Ranger Nikki as you follow the longer Black Rock Loop for just over one mile on easy to moderate terrain. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at [...]

Guided Bird Walk (Registration Required, Limit 10 Participants)

Hassayampa River Preserve 49614 U.S. Hwy. 60 89 Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Arizona

Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species within the diverse desert riparian habitat of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Along the way, we will discuss eBird and citizen science, how to identify birds by sight and sound, and about the behavioral and ecological traits that make them [...]

Discovery Station: Desert Mammals

White Tanks Regional Park 20304 West White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, AZ, United States

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 [...]

Discovery Station: Cactus Curiosity

Hassayampa River Preserve 49614 U.S. Hwy. 60 89 Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Arizona

Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Visitor Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. MEETING LOCATION: Visitor Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 10am [...]

Want to add your event? Go to Build A Nature Walk

Go to Top