Swing by the Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park Nature Center today and kick off the City Nature Challenge! Learn about some of the apps the Rangers use to help us identify plants and critters on the fly as well as help build a citizen science database that can be used by researchers to help understand biodiversity [...]
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 [...]
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 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 registration required, [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. 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 [...]
Are you looking to do a long hike, but can’t find anyone to go with you? Join Ranger Kevin for a 8.4-mile hike on the scenic Pemberton, Granite, Bluff, and Tonto Tank trails. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife and springtime wildflowers as we go. Trail conditions are rated easy-moderate, so expect some stretches [...]
Participants will hike for 3 miles through rolling hills and sandy washes on the North Loop trail. The trail is rated as easy and only has a few spots that could be described as rocky. Ranger Derik will talk about the native edible plants as well as medicinal plants that are found along the trail. [...]
Make it your New Year’s resolution to get connected with nature! 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 [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. The theme is Rattlesnakes, so bring your curiosity and your questions! Most of them are busy sleeping (brumating) right now, so this is a perfect opportunity to talk about them behind their very long (and scaly!) backs. We’ll have a table full [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 4.5 miles roundtrip on a loop including portions of Pemberton, Stoneman Wash, and Granite Trails. Most trails are moderate grade with rocky or uneven ground, but the portion in Stoneman Wash is more [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species of the Sonoran Desert. Along the way we will discuss how to identify birds by sight and sound, and about the behavioral and ecological traits that make them unique. We will walk 0.5-1 mile along the Tortoise Trail [...]
Javelina Jundred is the original costumed 100 mile trail run party. Jalloween weekend, October 28-29, 2023 come join the party as Javelina turns 21! The race is held on a ~20 mile rolling single track trail course comprised mostly of the Pemberton Trail in beautiful McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills, Arizona. Join us for the [...]
The Night Race within a race! Not ready for 100 Miles or 100K but want to experience Javelina for yourself? This night race has a one loop option for runners who want to experience Javelina and the infamous party at Jackass Junction first hand! Runners are encouraged to dress up for this unique “Jalloween” adventure! [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 2-mile easy to moderate hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert and how plants and animals survive, particularly during the summer. The route is an out-and-back on Tortoise and Hilltop Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature [...]
McDowell Mountain Summer Night Rides are back! In partnership with McDowell Mountain Cycles, we are excited to invite riders of all levels and abilities to come out and experience the trails! Rides are scheduled for the following dates: June 3, June 17, July 8, July 15, Aug 5 & Aug 19. Rides subject to cancel [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2.5 mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Pemberton and Stoneman Wash Trails. 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 [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an easy 2-mile night hike on the Tortoise and Hilltop trails. We will be looking for all three species of scorpion native to our neck of the Sonoran Desert: Striped-tail, Bark, and, of course, the Giant Desert Hairy. Who knows what else we may see? Trails are rated easy, with minimal [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an approximately 1-2 mile sunset/evening trail walk to look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife! Past hikes have yielded species such as owls, snakes, lizards, scorpions, coyotes, bobcats, and more! Please keep in mind that hot temperatures will persist after dark, so bring plenty of water and/or electrolyte beverages. Wear sturdy closed-toe [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 10:30am to 12:30pm. 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. No registration [...]
Come join Ranger Kevin as we hike approximately 1.2 miles on the Lousley Hill Trail. Trail is rated moderate, with some sections of loose, rocky terrain, and a moderately steep (but short) climb. We'll be stopping to look at various plants and animals on our way to the top, where a beautiful view of the [...]
Come join Ranger Kevin as we hike approximately 1.2 miles on the Lousley Hill Trail. Trail is rated moderate, with some sections of loose, rocky terrain, and a moderately steep (but short) climb. We'll be stopping to look at various plants and animals on our way to the top, where a beautiful view of the [...]
The hike will cover 2.9 miles on the North Loop Trail. This hike is rated as easy, plan to walk on rocky and sandy trail. It is encouraged that you water supportive shoes and if inclines or declines are an issue for you take along some trekking poles. Bathrooms and water fountains will be available [...]
Join Rangers Eric and Steve to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Hiking will be easy to moderate on sandy or uneven terrain, and will be about 1-2 miles roundtrip, depending on heat and participant interest. Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Please bring [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a 2.7-mile night hike on the North Trail. We will be looking for all three species of scorpion native to our neck of the Sonoran Desert: Striped-tail, Bark, and, of course, the Giant Desert Hairy. Who knows what else we may see? Trail is rated easy, with very little loose rock [...]
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 [...]
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