Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: Creatures of the Night Hike

Come along for a 1.3-mile night hike along the easy rated Blackrock loop. With little elevation change and a mostly flat walking surface, this is by far one of the easiest night hikes in the county system and the open ground makes spotting spiders, scorpions, lizards, and snakes a breeze. Come try to find them as the make some of their last preparations for the coming winter months! If you prefer the aerial variety of nocturnal activity, cast your eye skyward for a chance to glimpse bats and nighthawks against the night sky. Tune your ear for the song of desert insects, the soft call of owls, and the distant sounds of playful coyote. Keep an eye on the mountains too, you never know, if you get extremely lucky, you might spot an elusive mountain lion looking back! The desert is different in the dark! Flashlight and water bottle required. Blacklights and long sleeves encouraged, dressing in layers recommended. Children welcome, but please be aware of your child’s comfort level in the dark. The desert can get VERY dark after sunset, especially away from the lights of buildings on cloudy or moonless nights.

MEETING LOCATION: Blackrock trailhead.

Limit 10 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 5 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 10/21/2024.