Lake Pleasant Regional Park Stop by an information table where Ranger Nikki will teach you how to use your phone to identify and document your nature findings to help the scientific community.
Hike the Pipeline Trail with Ranger Derik to learn about the many plants that can be eaten in the desert and about the native peoples that first harvested them. Click program title for more details. We will hike 2.5 miles out and back of the pipeline canyon trail starting from the cottonwood day use area. [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
Join Ranger Kevin as we learn how to make - or strengthen - our connection with nature through the practice of Silent Walking and Sit Spots. This is a beginner’s level class, so anyone who is interested in cultivating the skills needed to appreciate the natural world in greater depth is welcome. We will learn [...]
Got questions about the Sonoran Desert or the things that live there? Ask Ranger Kevin! Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 10:00am to 12:00pm. 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 [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a 3-mile hike on the Yavapai trail. Trail is rated moderate, with some stretches of loose rock, uneven terrain and elevation change. Our goal is to watch the sun rise over the lake from the trail, and then head up to the peak for one of the best views of the [...]
Join Ranger Kevin as we learn how to make - or strengthen - our connection with nature through the practice of Silent Walking and Sit Spots. This is a beginner’s level class, so anyone who is interested in cultivating the skills needed to appreciate the natural world in greater depth is welcome. We will learn [...]
Enjoy a 2.6-mile hike on the Cottonwood Trail with Ranger Kevin as we look for all kinds of wildlife along the way. Some animals we may see include mule deer, javelina, squirrels, rabbits, birds and perhaps a reptile or two. Trail is rated easy, with very little loose rock, uneven terrain and elevation change. Please [...]
Come hike the Wild Burro trail and learn about the desert, we might even see a burro! This is a roughly 2-mile hike along a medium difficulty trail. Please bring water and wear layers as the trail may changes temperature rapidly. No pets please. Restrooms and water are available at the meeting point. MEETING LOCATION: [...]
Enjoy a 1.8-mile one-way hike up the Yavapai Point Trail where we will be able to take in stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and Lake Pleasant, as well as talk about the local flora and fauna with Ranger Eric. The hike is rated as moderate, with some rocky and uneven surfaces. Please dress in [...]
Come along and hike Pipeline Canyon North to check the water level and see how many more weeks of winter we have left! Ranger Shaun’s going to be talking about the local ecosystem and seeing what’s moving around in the early February weather. Pipeline Canyon North is a roughly 2-mile round trip on a moderate [...]
Join Ranger Eric on a 1.8-mile one-way hike up the Yavapai Point Trail where we will be able to take in stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and Lake Pleasant, as well as talk about the local flora and fauna. The hike is rated as moderate, with some rocky and uneven surfaces. Please dress in [...]
Learn about birds of Sonoran Desert and migrant water birds on this walk with Ranger Eric. We will first meet at the Wild Burro Day Use Area, then caravan a short distance up Desert Tortoise Rd. or Two Cow Rd. where we can scan the lake for water birds with a scope and binoculars. We [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to learn about desert vegetation and enjoy a view of the Lake from Yavapai Point. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki for a moderate hike to learn cacti, legume trees and desert shrubs and observe a variety of birds, lizards and mammals. [...]
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 [...]
What is the difference between poison and venom? Come learn more at Ranger Steve’s discovery station and display of LIVE venomous animals. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Steve at the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center for an interactive display of venomous animals and a discussion of their vital role in our ecosystem, “busting” [...]
Look for nocturnal wildlife with Join Ranger Steve on an after-dark walk on the park trails! Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Steve to look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike. Wildlife we may see includes scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals! We will hike 1-2 [...]
A discovery station with real samples of cacti, as well as pictures of fruits and flowers, will be on display for several hours in the Discovery Center. Ranger Derik will be present to answer any of your Sonoran Desert questions. Coloring pages will also be available for kids to take home. MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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: [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center for an interactive display of various rocks, gems, and minerals native to our Sonoran Desert. Get hands on and hold items like basalt, quartz, obsidian, and malpais! Learn how volcanism, plate tectonics, and erosion shaped our landscape. MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center No registration [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2-mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Roadrunner Trail. We’ll be searching for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and more! Please wear hard-soled shoes or boots, bring plenty of water, and don’t forget a flashlight or UV light if you have one! Trails [...]
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 1:00 and 3:00pm. Be sure to bring your water with you. Restrooms and water are available at [...]
Learn how to safely hike in the desert and stay safe on the lake. A station will be set up at the Discovery Center with information and handouts on how to have fun and stay save in our county parks. A ranger will be available to give advice, answer questions and recommend hikes at the [...]
We will hike for 2 miles along the Pipeline Canyon Trail which is rated as moderate. The trail is rocky sandy and uneven, so it is encouraged that you wear supportive close-toed shoes. Make sure to bring water on the hike as well as a flashlight; blacklights will be provided. The trailhead has a bathroom [...]
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: [...]
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