Hassayampa River Preserve

Just before you get to Wickenburg on the 60 is a magical place full of water, green plants, and shade! It’s the Hassayampa River Preserve, part of the Maricopa County system of parks, and if you have always just flown by in the car on your way out of town, you are missing out. This is the one place near home where you can enjoy a walk even when it’s 100 degrees outside!

This preserve makes a wonderful little day trip with the family. It’s nice any time of year but in the warmer months, the morning is definitely the best time to visit. It’s a wonderful green escape with so many huge trees making lots of shade, trails that are a length a child can enjoy, water, and soft sand instead of gravel and dirt. No rocks or cactus for little toddlers to fall into. You’ll almost forget you are in Arizona! (There are still lizards though, )

Cabinet at a nature center with displays of feathers, bones, nests and such

The visitor center is the old ranch house from years ago and it’s got a great Discovery Room plus some snakes for the kids to enjoy. Bathrooms are by the parking lot so hit those first. (There are none in the preserve where the trails are.) At the front desk of the visitor center, you’ll pay your entrance fee, get your trail map, and then head into the preserve via the back door. Adults pay $5 each, kids 12 and under are free, pets are not allowed.

Turtles on a log with reeds around them at Hassayampa River Preserve

The trails are all pretty short, it’s mostly flat, and you can just wander around following the butterflies, dragonflies, and birds as you enjoy the cool refreshing shade. According to their information, there are about 280 different kinds of birds that come through this site! If you have a pair, bring your binoculars and do some birdwatching! On my recent visit over Mother’s Day weekend we saw waterbirds swimming in the little lake with their little babies and a Vermillion Flycatcher showing off up in the trees.

There are plenty of benches and there are also 2 picnic areas if the kids want a snack or break. Be sure to bring your bug spray! The little flying bugs are not overwhelming but they are there. The rangers offer programs year round so if you are planning a visit, take a look to see if any fit your interests. Note that there are streams and a little lake but none of them are for playing in. Your morning packing just got streamlined - No need to pack the water play toys and clothing for the kids!

Kids Activity Sheets from Hassayampa River Preserve

Once you have explored the preserve, Wickenburg is about 10 minutes away. Head there for lunch, a chance to explore its shops and attractions, and then you can head home, just an hour or so's drive down the road.

Footbridge over a stream at Hassayampa River Preserve

Head’s Up: Making the left turn from the 60 into the preserve is a little tricky. The sign for the preserve is placed so there’s Hardly Any Warning that you are almost there. To make matters more difficult, the left side turn lane is REALLY SHORT so you go from freeway speed to stopped in about 3 seconds! It’s doable but be ready to use your advanced driving skills. Or just drive past it, find a better, safer place to make a U-turn, and approach the preserve coming from the other, much easier, direction.

Hassayampa River Preserve