Join Ranger Nikki on a 3.5-mile hike on easy terrain to explore our fascinating Sonoran Desert in search of flowering saguaros and other cactus blooms such as cholla and barrels. The route includes Lost Sheep, Moon Rock and Chain Fruit Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Water and restrooms are [...]
Come join us for a quiet walk along our easy to moderate scenic trails in search of local and migratory birds. "Vultures" program will follow inside the Nature Center. Meet for the bird walk on the back patio of the Cave Creek Regional Park Nature Center at 7:00am. No dogs allowed. Registration is required for this program. Attendance is [...]
Come on a strenuous 4.5-mile hike through the White Tank Mountains on the search for great views and the unique elephant trees that dot the hillsides. The trail is considered difficult and during our hike will gain 900ft of elevation. The hike will take several hours, so please bring plenty of water (at least 3 [...]
Escape the desert heat in the White Tank Nature Center and learn about and touch native Sonoran Desert snake species. The table will also have snake skins, sheds, photos and coloring pages for the kids. No registration required, just drop on in! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center by the library
Join Ranger Steve for an evening trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Wildlife seen on past walks have included snakes, 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. Please [...]
Come join Ranger Kevin as we hike the 3 miles along Yavapai Point Trail. We'll be stopping to look at various plants and animals as we make our way to the top, where a spectacular view of Lake Pleasant awaits us. This trail is rated moderate, with some sections of loose, rocky terrain and substantial [...]
Join Ranger Derik on the 2.6-mile Baseline Trail. We will be meeting at the Nature Center and heading out as a group from there. The trail is rocky and uneven so it is encouraged that everyone wear sturdy close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. The nature center has bathrooms and well as [...]
A discover station with real samples of cacti, as well as pictures of fruits and flowers, will be on display for several hours in the Nature Center. A ranger will be present to answer any of your Sonoran Desert questions. Coloring pages will also be available for kids to take home. No registration required, just [...]
Come to the Discovery Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 12 pm to 2 pm. 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: Main lobby of Discovery [...]
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 [...]
This hike will be a long, but very rewarding hike with elevation change and rocky terrain. Please bring lots of water, hiking shoes/boots, and sun protection. MEETING LOCATION: Pass Mountain Trailhead at trailhead staging area. Limit 15 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 4 with your name, phone number [...]
Join Ranger Kevin on one of the toughest trails in the park and learn about the desert along the way. We will meet at the Go John Trailhead to start this hike. The Go John Trail is nearly 5.8 miles, so make sure you bring plenty of water and pack a snack for this one. [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 3.5-mile hike to learn about desert plants, shrubs and legume trees. The loop route includes South, Mule Deer and Bajada Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms are available at the trailhead and water is available at the Nature Center. MEETING LOCATION: Area 1 at [...]
Ranger Nikki will lead a talk on coyotes that live in our desert and sometimes visit our neighborhoods. Learn about their life cycle, diet, habitat and more. This talk takes place in the Nature Center classroom. Water and restrooms are available at the Nature Center. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required.
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. 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: Nature Center main lobby.
Have you ever wondered what is crawling under your feet when you’re out on the trail or what might be calling your backyard home? Head to the critter room in the back of the Nature Center and stop by a discover table featuring living and preserved insect and arachnid species that can be found throughout [...]
Join Ranger Derik on the 3-mile loop North Trail in the heart of McDowell Regional Park. The trail is a mix of small rolling hills and washes on sandy and rocky trail. It is encouraged that you wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water with you. Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an after hours trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Wildlife seen on past walks have included snakes, 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. [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 3-mile easy to moderate hike to hear and see the desert come to life. We will watch for birds, jackrabbits, coyotes, lizards and more. The route follows San Tan, Stargazer and Moonlight Trails plus the park’s Service Road. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. [...]
Come join Ranger Kevin as we hike approximately 2.6 miles along the Spur Cross, Metate and Fairy Duster Loop Trails. Trails are rated easy, with a few sections of loose, rocky terrain and some elevation change. We'll be stopping to look at various plants and animals and talk about Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. Be [...]
Join Ranger Evan on a 2-mile moderate hike to learn all about cacti: saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, barrel and more. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 6 with your name, phone number and [...]
Take some time away from the water and get immersed in the surrounding desert with Ranger Derik as you learn about the native plant and animal species that call the Sonoran Desert home. Hike the 3-miles Yavapai Point Trail through saguaro and teddy bear cholla cacti. The trail is rocky and uneven at times, so [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the San Tan Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trails next to the center. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime [...]
Come meet Ranger Kevin from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. 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. MEETING LOCATION: Covered Picnic Tables in front of the trailer at the trail kiosks. No registration required, just [...]
Snakes!! Scorpions!! Black Widows!! Are you scared yet? If you said yes, then this program is perfect for you to come learn the benefits of these critters, and why we would want to learn how to live with them. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Limit 15 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) [...]
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 quail and baseline trails for a total 2.2 miles. Wear [...]
Join experienced birder Joe Ford for a morning bird walk followed by a special presentation! Meet on the south patio of the Nature Center. Program to follow in the Nature Center “Bird Weirdness I, II, III, or Parrots”
Snakes!! Scorpions!! Black Widows!! Are you scared yet? If you said yes, then this program is perfect for you to come learn the benefits of these critters, and why we would want to learn how to live with them. MEETING LOCATION: Usery Nature Center Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on a moderate to easy hike with Ranger Nikki. The route is just over 2 miles and follows Quail, Saddle, Baseline and Gila Trails and part of Casey Abbott Drive (paved) back to the Nature Center. Wear closed-toe shoes and [...]
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! Bring water and snacks to this indoor classroom presentation. Restrooms and water are [...]
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