Women's Hike
2025-11-14 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Women’s Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead.
This hike is perfect for women or those who identify as women. Join us on this moderate hike on one of the classic paths in the preserve. About 3 hours to cover 6 miles around Granite Mountain with 330 ft. elevation gain. Experienced hikers suggested.
Restrooms available at trailhead but no water. Please being plenty of water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Nature's Medicine Cabinet - Educational Walk
2025-11-15 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Nature’s Medicine Cabinet Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Take a global look of the importance of plants and their physical properties and how they were used throughout the centuries to aid in man’s wellbeing. We will start globally but then move to look at some of medicinal plants found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Brown's Ranch Homestead - Educational Hike
2025-11-15 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Brown’s Ranch Interpretative Trail Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Before the Preserve was a reality, part of this land was a ranch, the historic Brown’s Ranch. Join us to explore this historical place, full of memories of a different way of life and hear the stories of the people who lived here not long ago. The hike is about 3.0-mile round trip on a comfortable trail with moderate elevations over about 2.5 hours.
Bring water and snacks. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Introduction To Mountain Biking: Session 2
2025-11-15 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-13 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 2 at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This program is aimed at helping riders build confidence and control across beginner-level terrain, reinforcing foundational skills while introducing essential techniques for handling small obstacles, climbs, descents, and corners. By the end, riders are expected to demonstrate improved balance, control, and maneuverability, effectively apply braking, shifting, and body positioning across varied terrain, and show increased confidence when tackling obstacles and technical features. Emphasizing trail etiquette and safe group riding, the program aspires to boost participants’ sense of accomplishment and encourage their continued enthusiasm for riding.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Trailside Bike Repair Basics
2025-11-16 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Trailside Bike Repair Basics at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
This class provides a comprehensive guide to essential bike maintenance and repair techniques that can be performed on the trail. It covers a pre-ride checklist, the necessary tools for trailside repairs, such as tire levers, spare chain links, a chain breaker tool, and an air pump. Additionally, it offers step-by-step instructions for repairing chains and tires, both tubed and tubeless with hands on training.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Sundays - Rattlesnakes! Fact & Fiction (Guest Presenter: Rattlesnake Solutions)
2025-11-16 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Rattlesnakes! Fact & Fiction (Guest Presenter: Rattlesnake Solutions)
Few animals spawn mythology and fish stories like they do. In working with thousands of rattlesnakes and people in the valley, Bryan Hughes from Rattlesnake Solutions has heard it all. Learn to stay safe in the outdoors, what to do if you see a rattlesnake, and most importantly, what not to do. He will go through the top 10 bits of popular misinformation, why people believe it, and get to the real story. Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about our most misunderstood native wildlife. Live rattlesnakes and a gila monster from the area will be on display (safely behind locked glass!)

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 - Graduation Ride
2025-11-22 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 – Graduation Ride at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This 10 to 12-mile ride from Pima Dynamite is for people who have completed the Introduction to Mountain Biking Sessions 1 and 2. This is an instructional ride to practice the skills taught with instruction at various points on the ride.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Crested Saguaro -Educational Hike
2025-11-22 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Crested Saguaro Hike from Granite Mt. Trailhead.
Join us on this Difficult hike as we pass by 3 crested saguaro cacti. This hike is for experienced hikers and will cover 7 miles with 255 ft. elevation gain in about 3 hours.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Return to Azatlan - Educational Hike
2025-11-23 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | AZ
Return to Azatlan – Educational Hike.
Azatlan is the contemporary archaeological name given to a large Hohokam community that existed north of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and east of Rio Verde. Join our archeological experts for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next door to the Preserve along the Verde River. The hike will include visits to the ancient ‘ball courts’ used by the native peoples, traces of their canals and other evidence of their civilization. This is a slow paced Moderate hike of 4 miles over about 4 hours with no shade.
Attendance is limited and reservations are absolutely required. Meeting location will be emailed to registered participants a week before the hike.
Bathrooms available at the start. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Gateway to Windgate Pass Hike
2025-11-25 09:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Gateway to Windgate Pass from Gateway Trailhead.
Head up to Windgate Pass on this Very Difficult hike with a visit to Inspiration Viewpoint. Along the way, you may see some wildflowers that only grow at higher elevations such as the Mariposa Lily. 7.5 miles over about 3.5 – 4 hours with elevation gain of 1,300 ft. Experienced hikers suggested.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Lecture - A Dozen Ways to Die in the Desert: The Old West Version
2025-11-25 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Phoenix) | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Cultural Resources Lecture: A Dozen Ways to Die in the Desert: The Old West Version
Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
This presentation covers more unusual ways in which people ended up ten toes in the air in the middle of the Sonoran Desert during the heyday of the Old West. It is meant to provide an entertaining education as to how desert denizens met their ends either as victims of Mother Nature, their fellow humans, or their own poor judgment. Did you know that the shootout at the OK Corral was not the most epic gunfight in Arizona? That a husband and wife riding in a surrey between Cave Creek and Phoenix met an untimely end because they disregarded advice from local ranchers? Or that you drive past the site of Arizona’s last lynching on your way to Apache Junction?
RSVP below to let us know you are coming!

More Pie Please
2025-11-27 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Phoenix) | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
More Pie Please Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead.
Join us for this Moderate hike to burn off some calories with family and friends. You won’t feel a bit guilty about having that second piece of pie! 2.5 miles over about 1.5 hours and some ups and downs.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-11-29 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Gateway Trailhead.
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Brown's Mountain Lookout to Interpretive Trail Hike
2025-11-29 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Brown’s Mountain Lookout to Interpretive Trail at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
This “combo” hike/education event will take us up the Brown’s Ranch Trail to the Lookout and then head over to the Brown’s Ranch Interpretive Trail to be introduced to the history of the Brown’s Ranch. For this 4.3-mile Moderate hike with about 450 feet of elevation gain up to the Lookout, we will plan on taking 2 to 2.5 hours.
Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Sundays - Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)
2025-11-30 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)
Join Phoenix Zoo for a fascinating look at why the best thing we can do for desert animals like snakes and tortoises is often… nothing at all. Learn what to do (and not to do) when you encounter these creatures in the wild, and why well meaning actions can sometimes cause harm. Zoo educators will bust myths about desert wildlife, explain why these animals are so misunderstood, and share how you can be a better neighbor to nature. Live reptiles will be on display.

The World of Arthropods - Educational Walk
2025-12-04 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
The World of Arthropods at Gateway Trailhead
Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning–there are more species of Arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join us 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 and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs, please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Bootlegger, Coyote Canyon, Renegade Hike
2025-12-05 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bootlegger, Coyote Canyon, Renegade Trails at Granite Mountain Trailhead.
This Difficult hike explores the more remote part of the Preserve. Experienced hikers suggested. 6.8 miles in about 3.5 hours with 255 ft. elevation gain and rolling ups and downs.
There are restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-12-06 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Secrets of the Preserve - Educational Walk
2025-12-06 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? Join us to explore the Preserve’s hidden treasures, from the plants and animals to the recent and ancient history in a stunning geological setting.
There are restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water, snacks and your curiosity. Plan to arrive 15 mins. prior to the start of the walk. No dogs please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Introduction To Mountain Biking: Session 1
2025-12-06 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 1 (Beg.) at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This program is designed to introduce participants to mountain biking by building foundational riding skills and confidence in a safe, supportive setting. It emphasizes the importance of proper bike setup, safety checks, and trail etiquette, while fostering an appreciation for outdoor activity and responsible trail use. Upon completion, participants are expected to demonstrate basic bike handling abilities, understand essential principles such as body position, balance, and braking, and apply correct procedures for mounting, dismounting, and stopping on varied terrain, alongside practicing essential safety and etiquette on the trails.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Secrets of the Preserve - Educational Ride
2025-12-07 09:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride (Int.) from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, besides the excitement of trail riding? This is the ride for you! Join our archeological stewards in exploring the Preserve’s recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American in a stunning geological setting. This is an Intermediate Skill and Moderate Cardio level ride of about 11 miles over 2 1/2 hours.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Sundays - Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)
2025-12-07 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)
Enjoy an up-close meeting with native birds of prey by Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue, rehabilitation and release center for these kinds of bird. Learn why these remarkable birds are rescued, how they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, and what can be done to protect their natural habitat. What a chance to get a close look at these birds!

Gateway to Inspiration Point Hike
2025-12-09 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Gateway to Inspiration Point at Gateway Trailhead.
This Moderate hike has above average elevation gains and will be geared for those that do not frequently do elevation hikes. For this 6-mile hike with about 750 feet of elevation gain up to the Point, we plan on taking 2.5 to 3 hours with frequent stops and enjoying the view at the top.
Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Brown's Ranch Homestead - Educational Hike
2025-12-10 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Brown’s Ranch Interpretative Trail Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Before the Preserve was a reality, part of this land was a ranch, the historic Brown’s Ranch. Join us to explore this historical place, full of memories of a different way of life and hear the stories of the people who lived here not long ago. The hike is about 3.0-mile round trip on a comfortable trail with moderate elevations over about 2.5 hours.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Lifecycle of the Saguaro - Educational Walk
2025-12-11 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join us to follow the growth of a saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old Saguaros. This easy walk covers 0.5 miles in about 2 hours over easy paths.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Hunter/Gatherers - Educational Walk
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Hunters and Gatherers Educational Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead.
Join our expert Archaeologist as we explore the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer to survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert of 2,000 years ago. See important desert flora and fauna, hunting sites and their importance to the survival of an Archaic band. This Moderate hike covers 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with some elevation gain.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Tom's Thumb Lookouts Hike
2025-12-13 09:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Tom’s Thumb Lookouts Hike at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
This Very Difficult hike starts at the Tom Thumb Trailhead and travels 6.6 miles with a net elevation gain of around 1,600 feet over 3 to 3½ hours. We will initially head up the Tom’s Thumb Trail to the TT9 location and have a great view of the west and south valley. We will head back up the trail and take the Lookout trail ½ mile to the Lookout at 3,858 feet elevation and view the east valley. From there we will head up to Tom’s Thumb with its views in many directions. Due to the elevation gains, this hike is suggested for Experienced hikers.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Bring plenty of water and snacks for the trail. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Desert Discovery Ride
2025-12-14 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Desert Discovery Ride at Fraesfield Trailhead.
This intermediate ride gives access to the splendid sights behind Granite and Cholla Mountains – over 3 hours, we’ll take in four distinctly different, yet spectacular views of the Preserve, with accompanying variations in flora and fauna. At times, we’ll be stopping to talk about the history of the area, variations in the land, cacti and succulents you see, as well as other routes you could explore when you next venture out.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Axle Grease, West Express, Hawknest Trails Hike
2025-12-16 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Axle Grease, West Express, Hawknest Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This is a Very Difficult hike due to its 8.2 miles and 250 ft. elevation gain over about 4.5 hours and covers rolling terrain. Explore these impressive trails with nice saguaro views and granite formations. Experienced hikers suggested.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.
