Trip difficulty: Easy; Walking distance: 1.5 miles, Trip Duration: 2.5 hrs, Elevation gain: none, but with chance of slight inclines/declines; Ground condition: groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at park’s entrance. Benches available at periodic intervals around the Wetlands. This popular birding hotspot in urban Tucson offers an easy walk through marshes created...
This holiday, step into the enchanting ‘Glistening Gardens’ at Butterfly Wonderland. This seasonal escape transports guests to the rainforest as they leisurely stroll with family and friends through an amazing illuminated holiday display inside the Conservatory. Lights line the garden paths in this cozy, lush indoor setting. Fluttering butterflies take center stage, surrounded by sparkling...
Monthly Nature Walk with Pat Gulley Walk on wooded trails with a local expert to learn about the Central Highlands ecoregion. These walks are on the unpaved trails on the...
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...
Chat with paleontologists at work in the Museum Demonstration Lab and peek in the windows to view the fossils they are cleaning and conserving from Petrified Forest National Park. Free with Park Fee
Join us for a guided walk through the Cactus Garden where you’ll explore the fascinating natural history of the Sonoran Desert!
Join Reid Park Zoo staff and Tucson Audubon Society staff for a guided bird walk through the zoo. Experience the zoo in a new way as we observe and identify the native birds we see that call the zoo home. Binoculars and field guides are recommended but not required. The tour may last up to...
Desert Foothills Land Trust presents a beginner-friendly hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (at Desert Foothills Library). This easy one-mile walk introduces hiking basics while exploring native desert flora and fauna. Perfect for newcomers seeking to discover the wonders of our local desert. Meet at the Waterfall Terrace at Desert Foothills Library...
If you are new to the Valley, or have lived here for years, and know little about the Sonoran Desert and its natural inhabitants, then this program is for you! Discover some of the common creatures that might call your yard home and learn about ways we can coexist together.
Join a ranger for a hike in the heart of the cactus forest that travels 2 - 4 miles to learn about the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Water and hiking shoes recommended!
Free with general admission. 10am and 11am tours Discover how plants have adapted to the desert environment with a volunteer docent-led tour. See the Garden’s living collection with plants from around the world and the Sonoran Desert and their fascinating survival strategies in this arid climate. Walk away with a new appreciation for the beauty...
Join us to walk around Liberty Wildlife during our public open hours and see us fulfilling our mission! October through April we are open to the public from 10am until 1pm. Our admission is $10 per adult (18+) and $5 per student (under 18). Children 4 and under are free. We will have daily programs...
Sign up for a Guided Tour before our flight and eagle show: https://libertywildlife.org/education/private-tour/ Space for 15 people Cost $15 per person paid onsite via cash, check or card
Age at least 2 yrs but less than 5 yrs Join the staff at the Riparian Preserve for a morning of dinosaur discoveries! We will all become tiny little Paleontologists, digging for dinosaurs! We will also read a storybook and make a dino craft. All activities will take place outdoors, please dress for the...
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!...
Enhance your afternoon with quick insights into the geologic story of Grand Canyon at our "Geo Glimpse" ranger program - presented daily at 11 am. 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,...
Crazy, quirky, or creepy, the facts about cactus are as fascinating as the folklore - and just as far-fetched. Join a Park Naturalist for a casual stroll and lighthearted look at our spiny desert dwellers Wheelchair accessible. Free with Park Fee
Join Ranger Olivia to learn about some of the festive plants that grow in the Sonoran Desert, and how our critters survive the cold. Get in the Holiday spirit by learning about plants like Desert Mistletoe, Christmas Cactus, and more in this casual family friendly program. We will also discuss how our animals can survive...
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...
Learn to draw and paint exotic and fanciful desert cactus with illustrator and artist, Devon Meyer. Emphasis will be on drawing skills and creating depth and volume in our subject. No experience required. Please provide your own art materials. Recommended art supplies: Ink pen Drawing paper Pencil Eraser
Join Ranger Olivia on a nature hike to experience the beauty that is in the environment around us. Enjoy a guided nature hike along some of our trails to see all the beauty the desert has to offer. We will hike along the Littleleaf trail and parts of Goldmine to do a 1.5 mile round...
Discover a deeper connection to the Grand Canyon. Join a ranger to dive into the canyon's diverse ecosystems, rich cultural heritage, or ever-changing landscape. Topics change daily. Come curious, leave inspired! Program may include a short walk to Mather Point or along the Canyon Rim Trail.
Join a ranger for a 20-30 minute stroll through the cactus garden to learn about the Saguaro cactus and other plants of the Sonoran Desert. Accessible program.
Join a park ranger at the Red Hills Visitor Center for a theater presentation about Saguaro National Park’s unique cultural, historical and natural resources. Presentations vary daily depending on the Ranger...
Join Liberty Wildlife at the Verde Canyon Railroad Depot and meet their eagle/raptor ambassadors!
Gardening in containers provides many benefits to desert gardeners. They save back and knee strain, keep critters at bay, and provide beautiful accents in our gardens. Join us on a...
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
What makes one crime easy for police to solve, while others remain unsolved for years, or even decades? We'll look at four of Yuma's oldest unsolved murders and discuss how...
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition, ZooLights! Get in the holiday spirit as millions of twinkling lights transform the Zoo into a dazzling spectacle,...
Thousands of LED lights illuminate the trees and custom-built, oversized structures delight the senses. The light tunnel, dancing cypress trees, traditional punched-tin trees, a brand-new crescent moon, and a dazzling display of luminarias will wow you! Experience a holiday light show unlike any other in southern Arizona! Designed by nationally known public garden landscape architect Tres...