Did you know Arizona actually has five seasons? The thunderstorms of Tucson’s monsoon have the power to transform the Sonoran Desert during Arizona’s fifth season: the wet summer! Monsoon Magic is a mini-nature exhibit where you’ll learn about the wildlife and meteorology of the southwest’s summer rains. Come anytime between 7-9 a.m.! Follow signs for...
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of desert riparian areas on this guided walk with Ranger Eric. Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species within the diverse desert riparian habitat of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Along the way we will discuss how to identify...
Spend the morning outside to learn all about plants of the Sonoran Desert during this guided hike with Ranger Olivia. Enjoy a guided nature hike along one of our trails to see all the beauty the desert plants have to offer. We will be along the Blackrock trail which is mostly flat with some uneven/rocky...
Bird enthusiasts join a naturalist for a guided walk appropriate for beginner and advanced birders. Most year-round birds are found in the riparian area next to Oak Creek or along the field behind the Visitor Center. The Audubon Society has designated Red Rock State Park as part of the Lower Oak Creek Important Birding Area...
Capture the beauty of butterflies and fascinating insects in this beginners Macro Photography Workshop with Butterfly Wonderland photographer Jonathan Cline. Learn essential photography techniques along with tips and tricks to elevate every shot. This class is designed for interchangeable lens cameras (not cell phones or point-and-shoot models) and is geared toward adults, though 16+ participants...
Breakfast with the Animals includes a light breakfast in front of the spotlight animal, a special animal feeding and keeper talk, and an animal activity for the kids. It’s the...
Every morning, a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk may include geology, wildlife, history, archeology, and plant life. The naturalists welcome questions during the walk, enhancing the learning experience. Hikes are included with park entrance fees...
WMG’s Living Lab and Learning Center is our premier demonstration site for various water harvesting strategies and sustainable living practices for arid landscape living. We have rainwater on tap and meet almost 100%...
Join us to walk around Liberty Wildlife during our public open hours and see us fulfilling our mission! In the months of May, June, July and September, we are open from 9am until 11am. Our admission is $5 per person age 5 and up. There are no set programs, but volunteers are on hand to...
Celebrate creativity, curiosity, and hands-on exploration at The Art of Innovation. Participants will dive into art-meets-science experiments to unlock the innovative power of imagination. Whether you're a budding artist, a future scientist, or simply an inquisitive explorer, our September Girls in STEM Event is a place to play, discover, and create in unexpected ways. Lunch...
Explore the rich and complex history of modern preservation efforts within Walnut Canyon. This historic cabin was built for the first forest rangers tasked with safeguarding the resources of the...
Join Ranger Olivia to learn about the people who lived in the Valley before us by seeing real artifacts, petroglyphs, and even creating your own. This classroom setting program will...
Interact with some of our special animals, which for many people is a once in a lifetime experience. Guests will get to learn about endangered species, how we contribute to conservation of those animals,...
A fun filled day celebrating the variety of food that is grown and harvested on the Colorado Plateau! Enjoy a pueblo oven demonstration, tea tastings, and kids' activities, all free. This event is set to take place by the Colton Garden, located on the MNA research campus on Fort Valley Road. Part of...
STEAM Time is a pop-up makerspace for kids and teens that provides hands-on opportunities to design, experiment, and invent as they engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) through self-guided tinkering. Join us to make, create and play!
Come eat lunch in the air conditioning and learn about scavengers with Ranger Shaun. The desert, you might have noticed, is not prone to allowing thing to rot. That requires a certain amount of ambient humidity we simply do not have most of the time. So, what’s a dead thing to do? Mummify? Well, that’s...
Unlock your creativity! Create a design using our computers and get it 3-D printed—we’ll help you get started and contact you when your print is ready. Ages 12 + / Ages 12 and under need to be accompanied by an adult. *Please note that this is not a Workshop/Class* An online tutorial is recommended for...
Families are encouraged to participate in making and creating at Mesquite. Guided activities will include science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics concepts. Join the family STEAM event every second Saturday of the month. Let's create!
Let’s play with LEGOS! Every Saturday you can build something new. Show off your creativity and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) skills and have tons of fun! ¡Juguemos con LEGOS! Cada sábado puedes construir algo nuevo. ¡Demuestra tu creatividad y habilidades de STEAM (Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Arte y Matemáticas) y diviertete muchísimo!
Up to 10 species of hummingbirds use the green corridor of the San Pedro River as a freeway between their tropical winter retreats and their northern nesting grounds. The public is invited to get a close-up look at these tiny travelers as staff and volunteers from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory capture, band, weigh, measure,...
Explore the night skies from the summit of Mt. Lemmon using Arizona's LARGEST publicly available telescopes! Under the guidance of a professional, visitors will enjoy a brief astronomy lecture, a light dinner, and an exclusive opportunity to observe astronomical objects and phenomena. This five-hour program starts 2 hours before sunset and accommodates up to 28...
Join a Park Ranger and the crew from Scorpion Bay Marina on an informative and relaxing boat cruise around scenic Lake Pleasant. Explore the beauty of Lake Pleasant on a cruise narrated by a Park Ranger. Learn about the history, flora and fauna of this oasis in the desert that serves as both a massive...
Come with Ranger Shaun for a Sunset hike! Walk a western facing section of Clay Mine trail as the sun sets to enjoy one of Arizona’s legendary sunsets. Water and...
Questions about the Sonoran Desert or the things that live there? Ask Ranger Kevin! Come to the Trailhead Staging Area and say hello to Ranger Kevin from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Bring your burning desert questions, or let’s just talk. We’ll also have a table full of interesting objects like bones, feathers, snake sheds, cactus...
Explore the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary at your own pace and join us for an unforgettable evening full of reptile fun! Observe Crocodilian and Venomous Snake Feedings throughout the night! Meet some amazing scaly friends at our Petting Zoo! This is a great hands-on opportunity for guests of all ages to get up close with our...
Join Ranger Kevin for an evening of fun late-summer stargazing! Clear skies permitting, we’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a portable telescope. Possibilities include planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also identify some major constellations with a laser pointer, and hear stories connected to them. Bring your own chairs if you would...
Search for scorpions and other critters with Ranger Eric on a short night hike! Join Ranger Eric to look for scorpions and other nocturnal wildlife on a short hike along the Pipeline Trail. Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Please bring your own flashlight or headlamp, ample water and electrolytes,...
Join Ranger Shaun for an after dark critter hunt! Come walk roughly 1.5-miles in the desert in the dark and look for wildlife with Ranger Shaun. This is a great time of year for scorpions, tarantula, and snakes! Bring a flashlight! Bring a friend! Bring a sense of adventure! Closed toed shoes, water bottle, and flashlight...