Join Ranger Shaun for a morning walk along the Metate loop! Come along for this moderate difficulty, 2.2-mile (approximate), early morning hike as we try to beat the heat but still get a look at the desert in its daylight glory. Early morning should bring out birds, mammals, and a few reptiles warming up for...
Join Ranger Nikki for an early morning hike to watch the desert start the day. Join Ranger Nikki on a 3-mile easy to moderate hike to enjoy the sights and sounds of the morning desert. We will watch for birds, mammals and reptiles and talk about their life cycles and adaptations. The route follows San...
Feel inner peace outside in this guided 4-step process led by Ranger Jacque. Would you like a break from noise and stress and a new way to enjoy nature? The Quiet Hour process can help. It blends nine techniques or influences that research indicates have a calming or uplifting effect. This seated program is for...
Start off the morning with a 2.3-mile hike surrounded by beautiful desert mountains as you learn about the native plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. Hike with Ranger Derik and learn about the many edible and medicinal plant species that can be found at Lake Pleasant Regional Park and how they were...
Join the Southern Arizona Nature Journal Club to learn about Nature Journaling, an observational activity that immerses you in our natural world. This casual meet-up is perfect for those who enjoy going outside, sketching, observing nature and meeting fellow nature enthusiasts. The group meets at our park’s entrance at 7 am and explores a different...
From sunrise to sunset, explore the cultural and geological history of three of Arizona's iconic national monuments! Discover the colorful and ancient landscapes of Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, and Wupatki National Monuments. Marvel at the scenic wonders to discover their evolution through geological time and natural history. Pack a sack lunch to enjoy in the...
Visit our Geology Room and observe the cross section of Jerome and its geological evolution. Then head over to our craft table and create your own geologic sand pour inspired by those dioramas. Activity is available August 15-31, 2024 during regular park hours and is included with paid admission.
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...
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about San Tan’s animal ambassadors with Ranger Nikki during this drop-in session. Ranger Nikki will introduce you to San Tan’s animal ambassadors, including snakes, chuckwallas, tortoises, and a Gila monster. Learn about their life cycles, adaptations and what you should do if you encounter their relatives on the...
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
Interested in learning about birding, but not sure if it’s right for you? Stop by Ranger Jacque’s table for a beginner’s intro to the birding world and desert birds. From hobbyists to extreme birdathon competitors, birding is a popular past time all over the world thanks to its relative ease and affordability. Yet for those...
Join us in the Exhibit House for a discussion about our new exhibition, The Exotic Sublime: on plants, in the Main Gallery. This installment of The Exotic Sublime presents a contemporary florilegium of plant life in the Sonoran Desert. Plants of all shapes and sizes, from basin to range, survive across five seasons— they seed, climb, roll, spread, poke,...
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 Ranger Olivia to talk about venomous creatures such as rattlesnakes, gila monsters, scorpions, or any other desert dwellers you may encounter. It can seem like everything in the desert is out to sting, bite, or poke you. Ranger Olivia will shed some light about which ones are really out to get you and which...
Join us for open garden hours. Help us tend to the Valencia garden, do something crafty or just sit and read with the plants. All ages welcome. No registration required
Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours prowl of the Preserve trails to look for nocturnal animals and scorpions! Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Preserve! Wildlife seen on past walks have included bats, ringtails, foxes, skunks, javelinas, deer, owls, scorpions, insects, and other...
Join Ranger Shaun, once again, for a night at BUG THEATER! Come on down, intrepid amateur entomologists, for another round of Bug Theater. Learn how to construct a light trap, do some basic bug capture and identification maybe get a chance to do some scorpion hunting. See some pinned specimens and learn a little about...