Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join us to follow the growth of a saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old saguaros. Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~3 hours
Azatlan is the contemporary archaeological name given to a large Hohokam community that existed north of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and east of Rio Verde. Join PastFinders experts for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next door to the Preserve along the Verde River. The [...]
The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If [...]
The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you [...]
Explore some of the remote trails with rolling hills in the northwest area of the Preserve. Experienced hikers suggested. Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.9 miles Time: ~3.5 hours
Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about the mutualistic relationship between this species of silky flycatcher and hemiparasite. During the winter months, the Sonoran Desert is home to the phainopepla, a species of silky flycatcher birds that feasts on the red berries of the desert mistletoe. Mistletoe is a hemiparasite which [...]
Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning – there are more species of arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join us to discover the fascinating and diverse world of arthropods and their role in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Skill level: Easy Pets are not permitted at our [...]
This hike will provide an overview of the geology of the area and a discussion about how geology – topography, rock type, soil, etc. – affects local ecology. Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1.7 miles Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an accommodation [...]
Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an [...]
Join our expert archaeologist as we explore the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer to survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert of 2,000 years ago. See important desert flora and fauna, hunting sites and their importance to the survival of an Archaic band. Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~3 miles Time: ~2.5 hours Pets [...]
This will be an opportunity for beginner riders to review the skills learned in the Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and be exposed to new adventures. If you have not attended one of the clinics, you should have solid basic skills on single-track to benefit from this class. We will practice setting up for single-track short [...]
When, how and why did all those different rocks get into the Preserve? How about our own earthquake fault? This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride and will take us through the various geological formations of the area. Get the big picture on a bike. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma [...]
This hike will take you into the High Desert Trail area with a stop at Cathedral Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.4 miles Time: ~4 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would [...]
Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Everything in the desert is connected and always changing. We’ll explore how the environment – the mountains, the rocks, the climate, the washes, and more – affects the plants and animals that live here, how living things in turn change the environment, and how climate change and increasing development [...]
Join us and hike on one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.8 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an accommodation for your service animal, please [...]
Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about mountain lions that live in the Preserve. Mountain Lions, also known in North America as the puma, cougar, catamount or panther live in the Preserve. They are almost [...]
Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and [...]
This ride is longer and more intense than our other rides, tracking the perimeter of the northern Preserve. This is a difficult skill and a vigorous cardio ride. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead – 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~30 miles Time: ~5 hours Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or [...]
Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in this area. Note: If you have the iNaturalist application on your phone, it [...]
Come hike some of the original trails in the Preserve with great views of Scottsdale and the desert. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead – 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~5.5 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you [...]
Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead – 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for [...]
Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead – 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for [...]
Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? This is an experience for you! Join us to explore the Preserve’s hidden treasures, from the plants and animals to the recent and ancient history in a stunning geological setting. Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to [...]
Join us on this ride up Axle Grease to West Express, Hawknest, and Basalt Ridge, ending with an exciting flowy downhill on Hawknest back to the trailhead. This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. All our rides are “no drop,” meaning we will not leave [...]
The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an accommodation [...]
This is one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an accommodation for your service animal, please contact our office at least two weeks before the event you plan [...]
The Children’s Learning and Play Festival is a free* public event that features children’s authors, illustrators, music, live performances, rides, STEAM activities, local business vendors, and a host of interactive activities for toddlers, children, and young adults. *The festival is free to attend, venue parking is $10.
Join us for a day of free, fun, and interactive STEAM experiences in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, from Scat Bingo to live animal ambassadors. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment. The Kovach Family Nature Trail is [...]
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