The Nature Conservancy in Arizona - Hassayampa River Preserve

Hassayampa River Preserve

A special piece of Arizona’s natural environment is being protected and restored at the Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg. For most of its 100-mile course through the desert, the Hassayampa River flows only underground. But within the preserve its crystal clear waters emerge, flowing above ground throughout the year. This lush streamside habitat is home to some of the desert’s most spectacular wildlife. Yet many of them have become dangerously imperiled as riparian areas have disappeared from the Arizona landscape.

In the Sonoran Desert, riparian areas nourish cottonwood-willow forests, one of the rarest and most threatened forest types in North America. An estimated 90% of these critical wet landscapes have been lost, damaged or degraded in the last century. This loss threatens at least 80% of Arizona wildlife, which depend upon riparian habitats for survival.

At Hassayampa River Preserve you may see any one of the 280 species of birds living, nesting, or migrating along the riparian corridor. Perched atop the massive trees and dead snags are some of Arizona’s rarest raptors, like the zone-tailed hawk, the black hawk, and the Harris hawk. Lucky birders may sight a Mississippi kite or the elusive yellow-billed cuckoo.

What's New
Give us your best shot! We're holding a photo contest for the Hassayampa River Preserve's 2010 calendar. Thirteen winners will receive annual passes to the Conservancy's Hassayampa River, Ramsey Canyon and Patagonia-Sonoita Creek preserves. Download contest rules and entry form. (.pdf, 94 kb)

Planning Your Visit
Young visitors in particular delight in spotting the many species of lizards that dart amidst the underbrush and woody debris, including the rare Gilbert’s skink illustrated on the cover of this brochure. Along trails you can see the tracks of animals drawn to the river’s edge: mule deer, javelina, raccoon, bobcat, ring-tailed cat, and even mountain lion.

Spring-fed Palm Lake is a unique four-acre pond and marsh habitat. The marshy pond habitat attracts an impressive array of water birds such as the great blue heron, white-faced ibis, and pied-billed grebe. The large willows around the lake provide important nesting habitat for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher.

Hours & Fees
The Nature Conservancy’s Hassayampa River Preserve is a bird watcher's paradise. Please check in at the Visitor Center upon arrival. Download event schedule. (.pdf, 298 kb) (Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Summer: May 14 - Sept. 16
              Friday-Sunday, 7 to 11 a.m.
             Trails close at 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 17 - Mid-May: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
               Wednesday - Sunday
              Trails close at 4:30 p.m.

CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY ALL YEAR, as well as on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Day and New Year’s Day.

The Preserve depends upon entrance fees to carry out its conservation activities. Entry fee is $5 per person; Conservancy members $3; children under 12 are free. Visitors can purchase an annual pass for $25 that allows access to the Hassayampa River Preserve as well as Ramsey Canyon and Patagonia-Sonoita Creek preserves in southeastern Arizona.

Trails at the Hassayampa are self-guided, leading you along the lush river bottoms, across the river’s floodplain, through majestic cottonwood-willow forests and dense mesquite bosques (Spanish word for forest) found only near desert waterways. On your walk, a brilliant vermilion flycatcher or an Abert’s towhee on the wing might catch your eye. Also a part of the trail system is a loop around Palm Lake where waterfowl, otherwise uncommon in the desert, are a major attraction. Download checklist of birds at Hassayampa River Preserve. (.pdf, 105 kb) (Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Docent-led guided walks are available. Please call (928) 684-2772, to find out about regular walks or to schedule a walk for your group.

The Arthur L. Johnson Visitor Center contains interactive displays on desert and riparian ecology which provide guests with colorful and detailed stories about the special plants and animals found within the preserve.

Gear
Sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, binoculars and plenty of water.

Getting There
Need help finding our preserves? Download directions (.pdf, 114 kb) to the six Arizona preserves open to the public. (Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Preserve Regulations
In consideration of our sensitive wildlife habitats and the number of visitors we host, we ask all visitors to observe the following. Smoking is allowed in parking areas ONLY. Pets are not allowed on the preserve. All visitors must remain on established trails. Picnicking is allowed only in the designated picnic area.

No swimming or wading, alcoholic beverages, feeding or disturbing wildlife, motorized vehicles or bicycles. No collecting of any kind. Do not damage or remove any plants, animals, wood, minerals, or artifacts. No camping, hunting or fishing. Nor fires or firearms are permitted. No dogs, horses, or other domestic animals; radios, tape players, & electronic calling devices.

Calendar of Nature Events
Wildlife is the number-one attraction at Arizona's six nature preserves open to the public. Visitors from all over the world come to see hundreds of species. See our Calendar of Nature Events.

Preserve History
Conservancy preserves in Arizona share much of the colorful history of the state itself including indians and cowboys, the cavalry, prospectors and Eastern dudes even a Civil War skirmish. Where was that?

Give Nature a Hand
Volunteers offer the Conservancy a way to complete more critically important work while developing lasting friendships and having a lot of fun. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with The Nature Conservancy in Arizona.

Places to Visit
Want to know about other Arizona preserves open to the public? Download a flyer (.pdf, 246 kb) with the details. (Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Questions?
Call (928) 684-2772 or e-mail bmccollum@tnc.org

Photos
Top: Hassayampa River Preserve © Betsy D. Warner/The Nature Conservancy
Middle: Arthur L. Johnson Visitor Center © The Nature Conservancy