Maricopa County, Arizona All Parks & Recreation Events Feed Update

Estrella Mountain Regional Park The giant saguaro cactus touches many lives in the desert. Find out how it grows and provides for others and why it’s considered a keystone species. We’ll even meet some of the critters that can call this cactus its home! Meet at the Nature Center.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park Are you new to Mountain biking? Have you been putting off riding with the Santan Shredders because you are not sure where to start? Do you want to learn how to go faster, climb better, descend quicker and clear every obstacle in your path? Join us for a MTB 101 class and beginner ride where you will [...]

McDowell Mountain Regional Park You’ve probably heard that scorpions glow in the dark, but have you ever been brave enough to go out into the desert at night to look for them? Join us as we set off on a short, slow walk into the Sonoran Desert at night – just to look for scorpions! Bring a flashlight. Walk will leave from [...]

McDowell Mountain Regional Park Have you ever seen a snake eat? Join us for the evening meal with our cold-blooded residents. Frozen rodent entrees will be served to the critters. Feeding takes place at the Visitor Center.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park Every year, hikers become lost or injured on the trails, often resulting in a rescue situation. What are the common denominators in many rescue situations? What could have been done differently? What are some things you can do to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit to the park? Join park supervisor [...]

Estrella Mountain Regional Park Join special guest volunteer Joe Ford for a presentation and selected readings from his book "Observations and Memories, 1977-2001." Come and enjoy Joe’s poetry and reflections at the Nature Center.

Cave Creek Regional Park This program is designed to prepare you for adventures in the wilderness! The Ranger will discuss planning and preparation, tools and gear, signals and shelters, and fire building. Don’t become a statistic! The wilderness does not tolerate the unprepared! Expect this program to run 4-5 hours, [...]

Usery Mountain Regional Park Interested in archery? Curious about how to shoot a bow? Come to Usery Park and find out! You will discover how fun archery really is! Participants will experience a fun and safe introduction to recreational and international-style target archery. Equipment will be provided. This class is open to anyone [...]

Estrella Mountain Regional Park Explore the bird life of Estrella Park with special guest guide Joe Ford. With our wide range of habitat types, we have some of the best birding in the valley! Whether you’ve been working on your life list for decades or you’re a brand new birder, you can enjoy this opportunity to spot and [...]

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area The petroglyphs found in Spur Cross were created hundreds of years ago by the Hohokam people. Come and walk in their footsteps as we visit a few of the more impressive sites in the conservation area during this two hour hike. (moderate)

Estrella Mountain Regional Park Scorpions have great camouflage, but we have an extra trick to help us spot them! We’ll take a short, safe hike and use special lights to help us find scorpions by making them glow. We’ll learn all about these awesome arachnids along the way! Bring water, close-toed shoes and a black light [...]

San Tan Mountain Regional Park We are the animals of the desert and we like to hide. Help find us if you can! If you would like to learn about us and enjoy a walk in the desert, then join the fun as we take you on this exciting one-mile meander on the Littleleaf and Goldmine Trails. Please bring water and a flashlight. No pets, please. [...]

Usery Mountain Regional Park We are the nocturnal animals of the desert and we like to hide. Help Ranger B find us if you can! If you would like to learn about us and enjoy a night walk in the desert, then join Ranger B as he takes you on this exciting 1-mile/1-hour walk along the Merkle Trail. The Merkle Trail offers universal [...]

Cave Creek Regional Park Meet the Ranger in the amphitheater behind the Nature Center for another fun episode of "Bug Theater"! This is a fun opportunity for the kids to capture and observe a variety of insects! Closed-toe shoes are recommended. No pets, please. ***"The County Parks are getting Wet ‘n’ [...]

San Tan Mountain Regional Park Do you believe you have what it takes to survive the harsh Sonoran desert? Yes, you do and you don’t need to prove it on Survivor. Find out everything you need to know about how to enjoy the Sonoran desert without getting yourself into an emergency situation. You’ll learn how to always stay [...]

Usery Mountain Regional Park What makes reptiles different from other animals? How do they survive and thrive in the wild? How dangerous are they? How many different reptiles are there around here? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about reptiles, then this one-hour presentation [...]

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area Get your day started with a 2-3 mile brisk, non-interpretive walk through the conservation area. Participants need not be tri-athletes, just ordinary folks who would like to add diversity to their existing walking program. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water. (moderate)

McDowell Mountain Regional Park This week’s hike will begin from the 4 Peaks/Horse Staging Area. Hike distance will be between 8-12 miles. Led by Kevin B. Bring plenty of water, and snacks and make sure to have comfortable shoes & clothing.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park FLORENCE – The Pinal County Open Space and Trails Department, in partnership with Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Town of Queen Creek, invite the community to an open house on Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the San Tan Mountain Regional Park nature center, 6533 [...]

Lake Pleasant Regional Park Stop by the South Pipeline Canyon Trailhead between 2pm and 3pm, and learn from the ranger about desert awareness and pick up information about the park.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park Join the Ranger for an early morning bird walk to the Nursery Tank. Bring binoculars if you have them, but there will be a limited supply on hand if you need to borrow them. This is an easy walk suitable for all ages and abilities. Meet at the Nursery Tank Trailhead, approximately 4 miles from the Park [...]

Estrella Mountain Regional Park Explore Estrella’s beautiful trails and views while getting in a great workout! These 3-5 mile hikes will have you feeling great in no time! Please bring plenty of water and close-toed shoes and meet at the Nature Center.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park If you’re looking for an adventure where your trail riding abilities will be challenged, then look no further than Bikes Direct Night Shredders. You will be riding the San Tan trails after park hours, which means it’s only the rocks, dips, and turns you’ll navigate through. Our policy, [...]

Usery Mountain Regional Park Which desert animals are REALLY the most dangerous to humans? Based on actual statistics, which ones are the most likely to harm us? They may not be the ones that you think! If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about dangerous desert animals, then this [...]

White Tank Mountain Regional Park How many seasons does the Sonoran Desert have? (Hot and hotter, right?) Think you know the answer? To find out, join us in the Nature Center for a showing of the award-winning documentary, Desert Dreams. With neither narration nor people, this unique documentary combines original music, natural sounds, [...]

Lake Pleasant Regional Park Come learn about southwest petroglyphs and how they are valued and protected. See and learn about Lake Pleasant's stolen petroglyph that cost someone $20,000 in recovery fines! Are these art or some type of message? Come explore the mystery with the ranger. Follow the in-park program signs once [...]

White Tank Mountain Regional Park Join birder Joe Ford from the Sonoran Audubon Society for an early morning bird walk on the Ford Canyon Trail to look and listen for the many species of birds that call the White Tanks home.  Bring a bird book if you have one.  Binoculars may be available to borrow.  Please meet at Area [...]

McDowell Mountain Regional Park Hike distance will be between 8-12 miles. This week’s hike will begin from the Trailhead Staging Area. Hike will be led by Kevin B. Bring plenty of water, and snacks and make sure to have comfortable shoes & clothing.