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.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-11-29 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix)
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.

Sonoran Sundays - Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)
2025-11-30 15:00 - 16:00 UTC
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)
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.

Sonoran Sundays - Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)
2025-12-07 15:00 - 16:00 UTC
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 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.

Christmas Day Hike
2025-12-25 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix)
Christmas Day Hike at Gateway Trailhead.
Embrace the spirit of the holiday on this picturesque hike on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. This is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles in about 2.5 hours with significant elevation gain of 700 ft.
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 Sundays - Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)
2026-01-18 15:00 - 16:00 UTC
Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)
Want to learn more about the Sonoran Desert’s amazing mammals? Would you like some tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife while hiking? Then you’re going to want to join Ranger Kevin of Maricopa Parks and Recreation for a closer look at our native mammals. Whether it’s the diminutive Kangaroo Rat, the elusive Mountain Lion, or the majestic Desert Bighorn Sheep, we’ll look at some ways mammals manage not just to survive, but to thrive in the desert. We’ll also have a variety of skulls, bones, pelts and more to examine up close.

Sonoran Sundays - Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)
2026-02-22 15:00 - 16:00 UTC
Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)
Arizona Birds is a program that educates the public about the various raptors that can be found here, whether as permanent residents or migrating through the state. The program focuses on their natural history and best places to find them in the wild. Nancy Kreuder, Wildlife Education Outreach Coordinator Arizona Game and Fish Department will be bring live raptors to help you learn more about some of the most commonly spotted birds.

Sonoran Sundays - The World of Arthropods
2026-03-08 15:00 - 16:00 UTC
The World of Arthropods in the Sonoran Desert
Did you know that 84% of all animal species are Arthropods and they have a major role in maintaining ecosystems as pollinators, recyclers of nutrients, scavengers and food for other animals? Join Conservancy Steward Rich Cochran, an expert on arthropods, for an in-depth talk on some of the fascinating insects and arachnids that inhabit our Sonoran Desert. He will provide an up-close look at some fun and interesting species from his vast collection, including a Tarantula Wasp, a Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion, and more.
