January 23rd – Tuesday, 7:30 am Santa Cruz Flats: Raptors Registration fee: $35/member, $50/non-member Trip Rating: Very Easy with only short jaunts from the vehicles. No restrooms or water available. Carpooling required. Complete Covid-19 vaccination is required for carpooling. We’ll drive around this agricultural area north of Marana and look for a number of winter...
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 volunteer Keith for a hike up to Willow Springs at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. 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...
Come see the sandhill cranes, ducks, and hawks that winter in the Willcox Playa. Those new to birding or who are mobility challenged are especially invited, since we’ll bird next to our cars with scopes and bird charts as we drive the dirt road around the ponds. Be ready for cold, wind and wet. Bring...
We encourage our guests to visit the Children’s Garden every Tuesday and Thursday morning to water the garden, and enjoy the flowers, insects, veggies, herbs, and more! Free with Museum Admission
Join Ranger Kevin for a morning fitness hike amidst the beautiful scenery of Spur Cross and Elephant Mountain. Are you looking to do a difficult, challenging hike, but don’t want to go by yourself? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6.5-mile hike on the extremely difficult, but incredibly scenic, Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain trails....
Join a ranger at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center at our back patio to learn about the wildlife found at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Topics may include javalina, gila monsters, cougars, and more! Free with Park Fee
Learn about Grand Canyon's natural world on a 1 hour guided walk on a paved pathway along the canyon rim. Topics vary and may include: animals and plants adapting to changing seasons, man's impact on nature, how nature inspires writers and poets, rare and endangered species, or American Indian use of plants and animals. Program...
Join Master Gardener, Jon Manning, as he teaches us the best practices for successful container gardening. This program will cover container types and sizes, potting mix, water, fertilizer and kinds...
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...
Let your interest reach new heights and join us for a hike through the heart of the cactus forest, getting to know the giant cactus. Hike will up to 2 miles round trip on a flat trail. Bring sun protection and water. Hiking boots are recommended. Free with Park Fee
Experience Tohono Chul while learning some of the basics of the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Join us for a Walk in the Gardens and get an intimate look at the plants and animals that call Tohono Chul home. During this guided tour, you’ll hear about desert wildlife and learn how to identify some of...
Join a ranger for a 15 minute talk at the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center and learn about a variety of park topics including the Coronado Expedition, wildlife, and more! Ask a ranger at the visitor center desk for the topic of the day. Free with Park Fee
Explore the tide zones of the Gulf of California and witness how the desert changes as you travel inland Eco-Stations at the Overlook These touch carts, staffed by Docents, feature hands-on Sonoran Desert learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Stocked with everything from binoculars and hand lenses to mounted specimens and scientific models,...
Join us for a surprise program. Topics change daily. Come curious, leave inspired! Program may include a walk to Mather Point or along the Canyon Rim Trail. Program duration: 30 minutes. Presented daily. We all have our favorites - favorite restaurants, favorite music, favorite parks. Join a ranger, or a park volunteer, for a program...
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, some of the considerations we must take into consideration when having these reptiles in Arizona, which reptiles are good pets for children or adults, adaptations...
Come join us for a stroll through our ethnobotanical garden where we will discuss some of the fascinating plants found in the Sonoran Desert! From the mighty saguaro cactus to the smallest wildflower, come let your curiosity blossom! Accessible program. Free with Park Fee
Join a ranger on the back patio of the Kris Eggle Visitor Center to discover more about Organ Pipe Cactus' fascinating cultural or geological history, ecology, wildlife or other fun topics! Free with Park Fee
Travel with local author Ron Parker as he explores the depth and duration of human/agave co-evolution across the desert southwest, and discovers unusual agaves apparently associated with archaeological sites long...
Enhance your afternoon with quick insights into the geologic story of Grand Canyon at our "Geo Glimpse" ranger program - presented daily at 2 pm. Meet in front of Yavapai Geology Museum. Learn how this immense canyon formed and the science behind the landscape. The program is 30 minutes long and is accessible. Grand Canyon is one-mile deep, up to...
Insect populations are declining globally at a rapid rate due to many factors, including the loss of nectar and breeding habitat, and pesticide use. There are many actions you can easily take within your community to support insects and their vital functions in our urban and wildlands ecosystems. Natalie Melkonoff, Plant and Insect Ecology Program...
Climb a half-mile up the Tanque Verde Ridge to enjoy a desert sunset with a ranger guide. Expect rocky terrain and beautiful views. Free with Park Fee
Join a ranger at the Twin Peaks Campground Amphitheater to discover more about the amazing Sonoran Desert! Topics may including cultural history, wildlife, cacti, restoration projects, and more! Free with Park Fee
The Arabian Horse Show has been a signature equestrian and tourism event since 1956. Now the biggest Arabian show in the world, this event has been held at Westworld for over 30 years. The non-profit; Arabian Horse Association of Arizona (A.H.A.A.) is dedicated to preserving the Arabian horse through education, breeding, competitions and ownership of...