Join Ranger Eric for a moderate to extremely difficult, but scenic 8.3-mile hike while learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and the White Tank Mountains. We may see early wildflowers in places, depending on how much winter precipitation falls and how cold it is then. The hike may take 5-6 hours. Hiking poles are definitely [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a moderate to extremely difficult, but scenic 8.3-mile hike while learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and the White Tank Mountains. We may see early wildflowers in places, depending on how much winter precipitation falls and how cold it is then. The hike may take 5-6 hours. Hiking poles are definitely [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Are you looking to do a very challenging hike, but don’t want to go alone? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6-mile hike on the scenic Ford Canyon trail. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife and springtime wildflowers as we go. Trail conditions are rated difficult to extremely difficult, so expect loose rock, uneven terrain, [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an exciting evening hike along the Black Rock Loop trail. We’ll be on the lookout for all kinds of evening-active critters, from skunks to scorpions, spiders, snakes, fox, coyote, deer, owls and more! The trail is rated easy with little loose rock, uneven surfaces or elevation change. Please bring water and [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. 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 interesting objects like bones, feathers, snake sheds, cactus boots and much more for you to touch [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Bring a lunch and an open mind and learn from ranger Derik how to start hiking in our desert parks. Topics covered in the program will include how to choose a trail, how to prepare for a hike, how much water to bring, desert safety, what gear to bring, what clothing to wear, and much [...]
Challenge yourself on this approximately 8.3-mile hike on the magnificent Mesquite, Ford Canyon, and Willow Canyon trails. We’ll keep an eye out for morning critters as we go. Trail conditions are rated moderate to difficult, so expect a considerable amount of loose rock, uneven terrain, and elevation change. This is not a hike for inexperienced [...]
If you think Waterfall trail is nice in the daylight, you should see the white rocks in the full moon! Feel free to hike with Ranger Shaun on this 1.8-mile easy rated hike. Water and restrooms are available at the trailhead. Flashlights recommended for obvious reasons. Blacklights and dressing in layers encouraged as February nights [...]
Join experienced birder Joe Ford for a morning bird walk followed by a special presentation! Please leave pets at home. MEETING LOCATION: South Patio of the Nature Center Program to follow in the Nature Center “Most Dangerous Birds in the World”. If you would like to attend the Lecture only, please let the Nature Center [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Enjoy a moderate to extremely difficult hike up ~3.3 miles of Ford Canyon Trail to the old dam site while learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and the White Tank Mountains. We may see early wildflowers in places, depending on how much winter precipitation falls and how cold it is then. We will meet at [...]
Ranger Nikki will lead you on a moderate to difficult hike to explore our beautiful desert and get in a great workout. The route is an out-and-back trek on a portion of Goat Camp Trail, out approximately two miles and turning back to make 4 miles total. The terrain is mostly uneven with rocky surfaces [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Learn some unique history of Willow Springs on this moderate, 7.5-mile round trip hike. Hike will start at area 7 at 8:00 am. We will head up the Mesquite Canyon trail and then on to the Willow Springs via the Willow Canyon Trail. Bring plenty of water and a lunch if you would like. Please leave your [...]
Enjoy a morning bird walk volunteer Joe Ford, followed by a special “Raptors” presentation in the Nature Center! Meet on the south patio of the Nature Center.
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert on this easy to moderate hike. Along the way, we will discuss basic bird identification, ecology of the Sonoran Desert, and how birds are adapted to this arid environment. We will meet at the Area 2 Bajada [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the White Tank Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 11am-1pm! MEETING LOCATION: [...]
Interested in learning more about cacti? Learn and ask your cactus questions to a ranger. Click on program title for more details. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the White Tank Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety [...]
Learn about birds of the Sonoran Desert on this hike with Ranger Eric! Click on program title for details. Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert on this easy to moderate hike. Along the way, we will discuss basic bird identification, ecology of the [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 10:30am to 12:00pm. The theme is Sonoran Desert Artifacts, so bring your curiosity and your questions! A table full of interesting objects like bones, feathers, snake sheds, cactus boots and much more will be on hand for you to touch and inspect. MEETING LOCATION: Nature [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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! Wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on an easy/moderate hike with Ranger Nikki. The approximate 2-mile is an out-and-back hike on Mule Deer Trail. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center. Meeting [...]
Have you ever wanted to explore the desert at night? The waterfall trail is a paved for most of the distance and offers great views of the White Tank Mountains, as well as amazing plants and animals. While we will not be able to see the waterfall (which rarely runs this time of year), we [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2-mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Waterfall 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 [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2-mile hike on the Mesquite Trail. Trail is rated moderate, with elevation change as well as stretched loose rock and/or uneven terrain. We will be on the lookout for a variety of Sonoran Desert wildlife, from birds and insects to reptiles and mammals. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and [...]
Join Ranger Shaun for an evening of education and entertainment quite unlike a normal night on Netflix. Immerse yourself in Bug Theater when the sun sets, and a spotlight allows us to draw in critters from the evening air. Equipped with some catch jars, a magnifying glass, and a sense of adventure; children and adults [...]
Did you know that rattlesnakes give birth to live young? Did you know that Gila Monsters are the only venomous lizard in the US? Join Ranger Steve at the White Tank Nature Center to get all your venomous animal questions answered, and perhaps even meet a few animals! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Lobby No registration [...]
Look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Eric! Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Hiking will be easy to moderate on occasionally rocky or uneven terrain, and will be about 1-2 miles roundtrip on the Mesquite Canyon Trail, depending on heat and participant [...]
The hike will cover 3.5 miles on sections of the Grey Fox, Ironwood, and Ford Canyon trails. This hike is rated as moderate due to the several inclines over the course of the hike. Plan to walk on rocky and sandy trail it is encouraged that you water supportive shoes and if inclines or declines [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 1.8-mile, out-and-back hike on the Grey Fox Trail. Trail is rated easy, with little elevation change, and little loose rock/uneven terrain. We’ll be searching for the three species of scorpion that inhabit this part of the Sonoran Desert. Afterwards, we’ll take some time to take in the night sky, [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a talk about our desert’s majestic saguaro cacti. Learn about their life cycle from tiny seed to fallen skeleton and all the beneficial things it provides in between. This program will take place inside the Nature Center and venture outside a short distance for firsthand observations. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 1.3-mile easy hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert and how plants and animals survive, particularly during the summer. The route follows Black Rock Loop. 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. [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 1.8-mile loop on the Black Rock Trail. Trail is easy, with little elevation change. We’ll enjoy the beauty of a quiet outdoor evening, walking through a desert landscape silvered by the moon and stars (weather permitting, of course). We won’t be setting any speed records here; this hike is [...]
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