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.
Evening Under the Sonoran Desert Sky: Astronomy Outing in the FoothillsEscape the glow of city lights to the foothills of the Four Peaks Mountains for this special stargazing outing with astronomer Richard Allen and naturalist Eric Garton. This evening under the stars begins with a short Sonoran Desert tour and natural history demonstration, followed by an exciting digital video presentation and stargazing through a powerful telescope to witness the wonders of the clear night sky. A camp-cooked meal, desserts and refreshments provided. Limit 20.
Tuesday / November 10 / 5-8:30 p.m.
Please note the cloudy skies backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11
Member: $40 / Non-Member: $50
Click here to register on-line for November 10 hike.
Wallace Desert Gardens
Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to see a private collection of desert plants from around the world without leaving the Valley of the Sun. We will travel to Wallace Desert Gardens in north Scottsdale for a leisurely walking tour, led by Wallace Desert Gardens and Desert Botanical Garden staff. This tour on private trails not open to the general public and features interpretation of the plants, their ecological importance, as well as the relationship they share with their environment. Highlights include a covered 6,000 square foot cactus pavilion uniquely designed for climate control, a boojum tree forest, and world-renowned collection of Ephedra, in addition to beautifully manicured garden spaces. Price includes picnic lunch, snacks, bottled water and contribution to Wallace Desert Gardens. Limit 20.
Friday / November 20 / 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $50 ($70 with Garden transportation) / General Public: $65 ($85 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for November 20 hike.
Click here to register on-line for November 20 hike with transportation.
Experience the Hassayampa River Preserve - A Wickenburg Treasure
Visit a 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 with nearly the entire length running 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. This walking tour features interpretation of the plants and animals we encounter and the interesting relationships between them. Participants will learn about one of the rarest forest types in North America, the cottonwood willow forest, found at this site. Included on the walk are a true mesquite bosque and Palm Lake, a rare oasis in the desert. This easy walking tour is one and a half miles long on sandy, level trails and concludes with a delicious picnic lunch near the preserve's historic visitor center, built in the 1860s. Picnic lunch, snacks, bottled water, informational materials and a contribution to The Nature Conservancy are included. Limit 20.
Thursday / November 12 / 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $50 ($70 with Garden transportation) / General Public: $65 ($85 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for November 12 hike.
Click here to register on-line for November 12 hike with transportation.
Rancho de los Caballeros - Experience the Sonoran Desert Out Wickenburg Way
Head out Wickenburg way for this popular seasonal outing featuring cowboy naturalist Richard Fredrickson of the famed Rancho de los Caballeros guest ranch in Wickenburg. This popular tour begins with a walk in the desert, treating nature lovers to a fabulous array of Sonoran Desert upland plant and animal species, local history, storytelling and ecology. The leisurely walk is loaded with nature interpretation and hands-on demonstrations, followed by a delicious lunch at the ranch’s historic cowboy-inspired dining room. This easy loop walk is approximately one and a half miles long with minimal elevation change but does have some short sections of loose rocks and gravel. Lunch, gratuities, bottled water and snacks are included. Limit 20.
Thursday / November 19 / 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $50 ($70 with Garden transportation) / General Public: $65 ($85 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for November 19 hike with transportation.
From Magma to Mine to Museum - Explore the History of Wickenburg
A town with a colorful and exciting past deserves a colorful and exciting tour. Join geologist Richard Allen and Garden staff for this look at the origins of Wickenburg from its geologic history to the discovery of gold and the rise of the Vulture Mine that put the town on the map. We will visit the natural area around the base of Vulture Peak and explore its geology and natural wonders before touring nearby Vulture Mine – the most productive gold mine in the history of Arizona. Discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg, the mine became Vulture City and burgeoned to a population of nearly 5,000 people before closing permanently in 1942 due to World War II. After a delicious lunch at a local Wickenburg restaurant, our day’s adventure culminates with a guided tour at Desert Caballeros Western Museum before returning to Phoenix. Price includes lunch, mine and museum tours, snacks and bottled water. Limit 12.
Friday / November 13 / 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $80 ($100 with Garden transportation) / General Public: $100 ($120 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for November 13 hike.
Click here to register on-line for November 13 hike with transportation.
Scottsdale/Paradise Valley Landscape Design Tour – Featuring Sites Designed by Award-Winning Landscape Architects
Do not miss this chance to get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of landscape designs around Scottsdale/Paradise Vally featuring local award-winning landscape architects JJR Floor Associates, Urban Earth Design and Jack Gilcrest.
The Garden has collaborated with the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects to make this tour possible. Landscape designs on the tour range from custom residential to prominent public spaces. At each location, you will receive firsthand accounts and interpretation from the project landscape architects themselves. This includes discussion of design concepts, installation and maintenance, as well as time for questions and answers. Each design features attractive, comfortable and sustainable design solutions appropriate for the Sonoran Desert environment. Price includes roundtrip transportation, picnic lunch, snacks, bottled water and handouts. Limit 12.
Saturday / November 14 / 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Transportation provided from the Garden)
Member: $60 / General Public: $75
November 14 tour is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list.
Green Roofs Landscape Tour
The green building movement continues to expand throughout the United States and Arizona. One of the more challenging aspects is applying the concept of green roofs to the Sonoran Desert. Do not miss this unique opportunity to tour several local green roof installations, including corporate and residential buildings. At each location, the project landscape architect will provide an explanation about the design, installation and management of the green roof. This tour is being provided in collaboration with the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Price includes roundtrip transportation, picnic lunch, snacks, bottled water and hand-outs. Limit 12.
Saturday / February 13 / 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.
(Transportation provided from the Garden)
Member: $60 / General Public: $75
Click here to register on-line for February tour.
Wallace Desert Gardens
Do not miss an exclusive opportunity to view and enjoy a private collection of desert plants from around the world without leaving the Valley of the Sun. Travel to Wallace Desert Gardens in north Scottsdale for a gentle walking tour led by Wallace Desert Gardens and Desert Botanical Garden staff. This tour on private trails not open to the general public features fascinating interpretation of the plants, their ecological importance, as well as the relationships they share with their environment. Highlights include a covered 6,000 square foot cactus pavilion uniquely designed for climate control, a boojum tree forest, and worldrenowned collection of Ephedra, in addition to beautifully manicured garden spaces. Price includes snacks, bottled water and contribution to Wallace Desert Gardens. Limit 20.
Tuesday / December 29 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden) OR
Friday / January 22 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $30 ($50 with Garden transportation) / General Public: $40 ($60 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for December 29 hike.
Click here to register on-line for December 29 hike with transportation.
Click here to register on-line for January 22 hike.
Click here to register on-line for January 22 hike with transportation.
Geology Hike on the Go John Trail
Explore the geology of the upper Sonoran Desert north of Phoenix along Cave Creek Regional Park’s popular Go John Trail. Join geologist Richard Allen for this six-mile loop hike, featuring geology interpretation as well as discussion of the plants and animals of this diverse area. This beautiful desert hike is rated moderate to difficult, with some steeper sections and rocky trails. Informational handouts, bottled water and snacks are provided. Please note there is a nominal park fee for vehicles. Limit 15.
Sunday / January 31 / 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Roundtrip from the trailhead)
Member: $40 ($60 with Garden transportation) / General Public: $50 ($70 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for January 31 hike.
Click here to register on-line for January 31 hike with transportation.
Evening Under the Sonoran Desert Sky: An Astronomy Outing in the Foothills
Escape the glow of city lights to the foothills of the Four Peaks Mountains for this special stargazing outing with astronomer Richard Allen. This evening under the stars begins with a short Sonoran Desert tour and natural history demonstration, followed by an exciting digital video presentation and stargazing through a powerful telescope to witness the wonders of the clear night sky. A camp-cooked meal, desserts and refreshments provided. Limit 20.
Sunday / February 21 / 5:30 - 9 p.m.
Please note the cloudy skies backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24
Member: $50 / General Public: $60
Click here to register on-line for February 21 hike.
Rancho de los Caballeros - Experience the Sonoran Desert “Out Wickenburg Way”
Head out Wickenburg way for this popular seasonal outing featuring cowboy naturalist Richard Fredrickson of the famed Rancho de los Caballeros guest ranch in Wickenburg. This tour begins with a walk in the desert, treating nature lovers to a fabulous array of Sonoran Desert upland plant and animal species, local history, storytelling and ecology. The leisurely walk is loaded with nature interpretation and hands-on demonstrations, followed by a delicious lunch at the ranch’s historic cowboy-inspired dining room. This easy loop walk is approximately one and a half miles long with minimal elevation change, but does have some short sections of loose rocks and gravel. Lunch, gratuities, bottled water and snacks are included. Limit 20.
Friday/ February 26 / 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Roundtrip from the Garden)
Member: $50 ($70 with Garden transportation)
General Public: $60 ($80 with Garden transportation)
Click here to register on-line for February 26 hike.
Click here to register on-line for February 26 hike with transportation.
