Bowtie Fitness Hike

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Bowtie Fitness Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead This is a Very Difficult hike of 7.5 miles over 4 hours. Discover the variety of trails in the northeast section of the Preserve. Experience the lush beauty of Barb’s Trail and the splendor of Bootlegger Trail along the east side of Granite Mountain. For experienced hikers.  Arrive

New Trails Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

New Trails Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead   This Very Difficult hike due to its 9 miles over about 4.5 hours covers some rolling hills for Experienced hikers. Explore the impressive new trails with nice views and granite formations. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.  Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for

Feldspar and Mesquite Loop Fitness Walk

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Feldspar Mesquite Loop Walk Join us for a leisurely walk in the areas below Tom’s Thumb.  Slower pace and frequent stops with time to admire the great views and treasures on the ground as well as discussions about desert topics.  1.2 miles for about 1.5 hours with stops. Bathroom facilities at the trailhead. Bring water

Inspiration Viewpoint Fitness Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Inspiration Viewpoint Fitness Hike at Gateway Trailhead.  Get your heart pumping on this Very Difficult hike up to an amazing overlook through gradual inclines with a few steep sections. 6 miles with elevation gain of 900 ft. for about 3.5 hours to trail marker WP5. For experienced hikers.  Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Fraesfield Trailhead  New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? Then come prepared with a mountain bike with knobby tires, helmet, water, and snacks. We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders covering

Desert Park to Gateway Loop Fitness Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Desert Park to Gateway Loop Fitness Hike at Gateway Trailhead. This Difficult hike will travel through the Silverleaf community, the Windgate Trail and then a short, steep climb to the Gateway Saddle with its great views. 6.8 miles with elevation gain of 700 ft over about 3.5 hours. For experienced hikers. Bathrooms available at the

Trailside Naturalist – Reptiles

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 A.M. to learn about the various reptiles of the Sonoran Desert, their unique behavior, eating habits, and benefit to the ecosystem.

Veterans Day Hike

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Veterans Day Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead To honor our Veterans, a Moderate loop on gently rolling terrain is planned. We will hold a special ceremony at the trailhead at the end of the hike. Join Len Marcisz for 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with elevation gain of about 250 ft. Bathrooms are available

Vaquero-Whiskey Bottle-Latigo Trails Fitness Hike

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Vaquero, Whiskey Bottle & Latigo Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  This hike on three picturesque trails will take you to a crested saguaro and then continue through a diverse landscape. Moderate hike of 5 miles for about 2.5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.

Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead  Come on out and join a ride with us from Granite Mountain . We’ll ride through Coyote Canyon with beautiful swooping terrain and views you may never have known were there.   See how you can connect these trails and others together to enjoy a completely awesome ride!  We will

Lost Dog to Andrews – Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Lost Dog to Andrews-Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead  This is a Very Difficult Hike for experienced hikers because it will climb 1,200 ft. to a saddle and then continue on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail to a spectacular view overlooking the Fountain Hills Preserve. Distance: 7.8 miles. Duration: about 5 hours. Bathrooms available at

Celebration Hike at Pima Dynamite

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Join us in the celebration of the Grand Opening of the new Pima/Dynamite Trailhead by enjoying a hike to see the nearby majestic crested saguaro "up close and personal."  This short 2.5 mile, 1 hour hike will also afford opportunities for other scenic views this trailhead has in abundance:  stately saguaros, majestic boulder formations and

Bird Walk

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Bird Walk at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce on this 2 hour walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as: cactus wren, gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, Verdin or Say’s Phoebe - as well as some seasonal arrivals. Bathrooms at trailhead. Bring water

Nature as Therapy

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Nature as Therapy Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  Lost your mojo?  Not as creative as you used to be?  Do you have a feeling of malaise?  Join Toni Vallee and Katy Lindberg on a 1.5 hour easy walk where we provide tools and a prescription to help you use nature to improve your happiness, creativity

Sonoran Sundays: Yvonne Massman, Scat and Skulls

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Come join Yvonne Massman for a fun and informative presentation as she gives us “the scoop on poop” and an exploration of animal skulls found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. You’ll learn to identify various types of scat and discover key differences in the skulls of predators versus prey.

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  Spend about 2 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit, the Natural Resources Coordinator, as he discusses various pertinent topics while hiking in the desert.  The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment.  Bathrooms

Granite Mountain to Hawknest Trail Fitness Hike

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Granite Mountain Trailhead to Hawknest Trail Fitness This Very Difficult hike will travel 11 miles over about 5-6 hours from the trailhead to the Preserve’s border with the Tonto National Forest and back. Bring plenty of water and snacks or even a trail-appropriate lunch. Experienced hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. No dogs please. 

Women’s Bike Ride

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Women’s Bike Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead.  This all woman’s bike ride is a Intermediate Skill level ride and Vigorous Cardio around the Granite mountain loop and beyond.   This is again a step up in intensity from the previous Woman’s Ride.   It is a “No Drop” ride meaning no one will be left behind.  Plan

Arthropod Educational Walk

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Arthropod Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  Spiders, scorpions, bugs!  6 legged, 8 legged, and many legged!  About 84% of all animal species are arthropods. Join Dr. Rich Cochran on an easy 2 hour walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of Arthropods and their role in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert.  Bathrooms

Bike Ride with Natural Resources Coordinator

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Bike Ride with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.  Ride to some great places with John Loleit as he discusses the wonders of the desert preserve. This Beginner+ Skills and Moderate Cardio ride will have numerous stops but still cover 6 miles in 2 hours.  Seeing it from a bike gives you a bigger