Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 […]

Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead Travel back in time in the Preserve with our PastFinder expert and former City of Scottsdale archeologist to learn how historic and ancient peoples survived and thrived in this desert area. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: […]

Flora in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in this area. Note: […]

Mountain Bike Skills 2.0 at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Are you ready to learn some new mountain bike skills? Join us for our Mountain Bike Skills 2.0! We will be tackling steeper climbs and downhills and working on body position and gear selection for climbing and descending. This is for riders who have already completed our […]

Ride Brown’s Ranch to Dove Valley (Intermediate) at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Join us for a fun, moderate cardio, single-track ride from Brown’s Ranch riding on beautiful smooth single track trails through Balanced Rock, Cholla Mountain eventually up to Dove Valley and back. The route includes some climbing and fun winding downhills. We will make short […]

Stoneman Road Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead The Stoneman Road was created as an “expressway” between Ft. McDowell and Ft. Whipple (near Prescott) in the 1870's. Join PastFinders experts as we walk portions of the actual route and discuss its origin, namesake and value to our history. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde […]

Granite Mountain Loop and Balanced Rock at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us and hike on one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.8 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Pets […]

Preserve Origins Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the largest continuous urban preserve in North America. It is part of the Sonoran Desert, the most biodiverse desert in the world. It encompasses over […]

Lecture- Scottsdale: Mecca for The Arabian Horse at Mustang Library The upcoming Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has been a signature equestrian and tourism event since 1956. Now, the biggest Arabian show in the world, this event has been held at Westworld in Scottsdale for over 30 years. Hear how local breeders Ed Tweed, Anne and […]

Cowpoke-Granite Mountain & Bootlegger Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead This hike covers some beautiful areas of the eastern Preserve with some of the most impressive saguaro stands in the Preserve. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4.5 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you […]

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran […]

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? This is an experience for you! Join us to explore the Preserve’s hidden treasures, from the plants and […]

Walk Like a Tortoise Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1 mile Time: ~2 hours Join us as we learn about and look for signs of the Sonoran Desert tortoise. This leisurely walk on the Jane Rau Trail […]

Women's Bike Ride (Beginners) at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This all women’s bike ride is an beginner skill level ride and Moderate Cardio.  This ride is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~10-12 miles Time: ~3 hours Please, […]

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite 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 […]

Trailside Naturalist – Butterfly Abundance, Richness and Diversity at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to find out all about the many species of butterflies that live in the Preserve. Pipevines and sulphers and skippers, oh […]

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. 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. Location: Gateway Trailhead Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets […]