Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: America 250 – Starry Night and Striped Scorpions

Celebrate our nation’s 250-year milestone by exploring the desert after dark! Join Ranger Jacque for a family-friendly night hike in search of the stripe-tailed scorpion. This fun program starts with a brief overview of scorpions of Arizona and how to identify them, followed by a walk with a ranger to see how many we can find. 

We’ll be exploring Amigos Wash trail. Prepare to hike about a mile and a half on gravel terrain, through a sandy wash, with only slight elevation difference (less than 100 feet). As we walk, we’ll look for the iconic blue glow of scorpions while enjoying the beauty of a desert landscape under the stars.  

Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water and sun protection. Don’t forget to bring a black light if you have one for the best scorpion-spotting experience! No pets, please. Restrooms and water are available at the Trailhead Staging Area, where we will meet. 

MEETING LOCATION: Trailhead staging area, in front of the restroom building  

Precise meeting location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fRwkbzCN3Bp7122T9 

Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 4 with your name, phone number and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please call the Nature Center ASAP so we may contact those on the waiting list. Registration for this program will close on 07/21/2026. 

PLEASE NOTE: Outdoor summer programs may be canceled on short notice due to severe weather, including extreme heat events. The Maricopa County Parks website (www.maricopa.gov/parks) is the most accurate resource for verifying the program’s current status. Please check the program listing online before coming to the park. 

Ages 6+