Get “Out and About” with the experts and experience one-of-a-kind outings designed for those who seek more than just fresh air and exercise outdoors. You will be treated to inspiring locations, fascinating information, and exceptional service. Whether you are a casual walker or experienced hiker, you will find an experience that suits your individual tastes and abilities, and most importantly, the desire to exercise both body and mind.
Experience a very unique location in the north Valley with geologist Richard Allen and naturalist Eric Garton of the Garden's education department. This early morning hike to Cathedral Rocks at Brown's Ranch in the beautiful Sonoran Desert uplands features a striking rock formation and archeological site that may have been a native peoples’ gathering place and grain-processing site. This diverse habitat also supports a tremendous variety of plant and animal species. The six-mile roundtrip trail has mild inclines only. Informational handouts, bottled water and snacks are provided. Limit 15.
Click here to register on-line.
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As the Valley heats up, take advantage of Arizona’s higher–and certainly cooler–elevations to escape the heat and experience the beautiful summer seasons of Flagstaff, Payson and Sedona areas. These hikes are intended to show you a different side of Arizona beyond our lower Sonoran Desert home and raise awareness for the unique plant and animal adaptations and ecological relationships just a short drive away. Create your own weekend getaways around these fun hikes that will feature fantastic summer wildflowers, cool forests and breathtaking sights. Interpretation and hands-on demonstrations will be provided by naturalist Eric Garton of the Garden’s education department and guest experts. Group sizes are limited to 10 hikers to ensure a personalized experience. Hikes vary in length and difficulty. Keep in mind hikes with the Garden are intended for enjoyment and education throughout, which means many stops along the way to learn about the world around you (and to catch your breath!).
All times listed indicate roundtrip time from the trailheads. Price includes water, snacks and educational handouts for the hike. You will receive detailed directions and specific information following registration.
Length: 6miles total out and back
Trail Rating: Moderate
Elevation: 5,000 feet (little change during hike)
Workshop is full. Please click here to be added to the wait list.
Length: 3.5 miles total out and back
Trail Rating: Easy
Elevation: 5,000 feet (little change during hike)
Workshop is full. Please click here to be added to the wait list.
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While hot summer temperatures still grasp the Valley of the Sun, escape to the cool high country and experience three beautiful hikes in the Flagstaff area, led by naturalist Eric Garton of the Garden's education department. These three easy hikes will show you a different side of Arizona beyond our lower Sonoran Desert home and raise awareness of the unique landscapes, plant and animal adaptations, and ecological relationships just a short drive to the north.
Individual Hike Prices: Member: $25 / Non-Member: $32
All times listed indicate roundtrip time from the trailheads. Price includes water, snacks, and educational handouts. You will receive detailed directions and specific information following registration.
Length: three miles total out and back. Trail rating: Easy
Click here to register on-line.
Length: one and a half miles total out and back. Trail rating: Easy
Click here to register on-line.
A special hike exploring the area where C. Hart Merriam and his team of explorers camped in 1889, leading to the announcement of his Life Zone concept still in use today.
Length: two miles total out and back. Trail rating: Easy
Click here to register on-line.
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In addition to being the world's largest city park at more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain stands out as one the world's unique geologic features. Join geologist Richard Allen to learn why as he leads this four-mile, adventurous hike within the park, as well as the fascinating plants, animals and ecology from naturalist Eric Garton. The moderately difficult trail has approximately 500 feet elevation change–some boulder-scrambling required–and areas of loose footing and high stepping. Highlights include a natural tunnel and Fat Man's Pass. Informational handouts, bottled water and snacks are provided. Limit 12.
Click here to register on-line.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to see an exclusive private collection of desert plants from around the world without leaving the Valley of the Sun. We will travel to Wallace Desert Garden in north Scottsdale for a leisurely walking tour, led by knowledgeable Wallace Desert Garden and Desert Botanical Garden staff members. This tour features beautifully manicured collections of desert plants of the world on private trails not open to the general public. Highlights include the 6,000 square foot Cactus Pavilion, a boojum tree forest, and world-renowned collection of Ephedra. Includes roundtrip transportation, snacks, bottled water and a tasty picnic lunch. Limit 20.
Click here to register for September 27 workshop.
Click here to register for September 27 workshop with transportation.
Click here to register for November 6 workshop.
Click here to register for November 6 workshop with transportation.
Cienega Creek is an exquisite riparian area southeast of Tucson, just minutes from Interstate 10. Join one of the Southwest’s premier naturalists, Pinau Merlin, on this morning nature walk to discover this jewel in the desert, with its year-round water, gallery forest, rich habitat and wildlife diversity. We will see native fish in the creek, southwestern willow-flycatchers, and other critters and wildlife signs expertly interpreted by Pinau. This completely undeveloped area is a well-kept secret around the Tucson area and receives few visitors. The walk is of moderate difficulty as there are few developed trails, but the pace is leisurely, with plenty of nature to encounter along the way. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy by the creek. Water and snacks are included. Limit 15.
Click here to register on-line.
“Hike Through Time” takes on special meaning on this diverse hike featuring geologist Richard Allen and naturalist Eric Garton. This hike features geology, natural history and archaeological interpretation along the Garden Valley Loop Trail in the Superstition Mountains. In the shadow of Black Mesa, Garden Valley is an expansive area of cholla cactus forest, mesquite trees and prehistoric ruin. This five-mile loop hike is rated as moderate difficulty, with elevation changes of 500 feet. Features discussions of geologic history, volcanic formations and rock types, local ecology, and historic and prehistoric inhabitants of the area. Informational handouts, bottled water and snacks are provided. Limit 12.
Click here to register on-line.
Experience a very special stretch of streamside habitat being protected and restored at The Nature Conservancy's Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg. The Hassayampa River flows almost 100 miles through the desert, but nearly the entire length runs underground. However, at this site, the water flows crystal clear above ground year-round, creating spectacular habitat for a myriad of plant and animal species, including more than 280 species of birds throughout the year. This trip will feature interpretation of the birds and plants we encounter, and of riparian ecology. Participants also will learn about one of the rarest forest types in North America, the cottonwood-willow forest, found at this site. Also on the walk are a true mesquite bosque and Palm Lake, an oasis in the desert. This easy walking tour is 1.5 miles long on sandy, level trails and concludes with a delicious picnic lunch near the preserve's historic visitor center, built in the 1860s. Lunch, bottled water, informational handouts, bird lists and snacks are provided. Limit 20.
Click here to register for October 9 workshop.
Click here to register for October 9 workshop with transportation.
Click here to register for November 12 workshop.
Click here to register for November 12 workshop with transportation.
Head out Wickenburg way for this popular seasonal outing featuring “Cowboy Naturalist” Richard Fredrickson and Eric Garton of the Garden's education department. This easy hike will treat nature lovers to a fabulous array of Sonoran Desert upland plant and animal species, local history and fascinating ecology. We will travel to beautiful Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg for a day loaded with nature interpretation and hands-on demonstrations. The hike will be followed by a delicious lunch at the ranch’s historic cowboy-inspired dining room. This leisurely loop hike is approximately 1.5 miles long with minimal elevation but does have some short, steep sections and areas of loose rocks and gravel. Lunch, gratuities, bottled water and snacks are included. Limit 20.
Click here to register on-line for the October 16 workshop.
Click here to register on-line for the October 16 workshop with transpotation.
Click here to register on-line for the November 20 workshop.
Click here to register on-line for the November 20 workshop with transportation.
