Join Ranger Derik on a hike along a desert wash as you learn about the native plants, animals and people that call the Sonoran Desert home. The hike will follow the waterfall trail and cover a total of 2 miles with 200ft of elevation gain. The trail is rated as easy and the first half...
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate terrain hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert. Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on an easy hike with Ranger Nikki. The route follows Pemberton Trail south to Pemberton Pond for an out-and-back hike of 2 to...
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 Admission
After your morning hikes cool off in the nature center at a discovery station and talk to Ranger Derik about the diverse plants and animals that call the desert home. A table will be set up in the nature center with artifacts that have been throughout the Maricopa County Park System. Artifacts will include Hohokam...
Stop by this drop-in session with Ranger Nikki to learn about common desert mammals such as coyotes, foxes and bobcats. Learn about desert mammals with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. See pelts and skulls and learn about adaptations that allow these animals to survive and thrive in our extreme desert environment. Stop by...
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...
Join a one-of-a-kind history walk downtown. Led by photographer and author John Vankat the tour will visit key locations highlighted in his eye-catching repeat photography book: “The San Francisco Peaks and Flagstaff Through the Lens of Time” (Soulstice Publishing, Flagstaff). The historical photographs date to 1884-1897. The walk will begin and end at the Gandy...
Join Ranger Olivia for a hike to see and learn about the stunning saguaros during sunset. Ranger Olivia leads this picturesque hike to watch the sun set while also learning about saguaros along the way. We will see the sunset, saguaros, and maybe some evening critters as well. You may bring your blacklight and regular...
Join Ranger Eric on a hike to look for nocturnal wildlife, including scorpions! Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Hiking will be an easy grade on occasionally sandy or uneven terrain and will be...
Search for scorpions with Ranger Jacque out on the trails on this family-friendly and fun nighttime safari! Don’t forget to bring a blacklight! Summer is here and so are our scorpion friends. We’ll be on the lookout for our Sonoran species, and whoever finds the Giant Desert Hairy scorpion wins! This fun program starts with...