Celebrate our nation's America250 milestone by exploring the desert after dark! Join Ranger Jacque for a family-friendly night hike in search of the striped-tail and giant hairy scorpions—resilient residents that have called the Sonoran Desert home since long before our country’s founding.
The program begins with a brief overview of Arizona’s scorpions and how to identify them, followed by an approximately 2-mile out-and-back walk on the Service Road and sections of the San Tan Trail. The terrain is rated as easy to moderate, mostly level but with some areas of uneven ground and small rocks underfoot. As we walk, we’ll look for the iconic green glow of scorpions while enjoying the beauty of a desert landscape silvered by the stars.
Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water. Don’t forget to bring a black light if you have one for the best scorpion-spotting experience! A regular flashlight is also required for safety. No pets, please. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center.
MEETING LOCATION: San Tan trailhead
Precise Meeting Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/twWvdapP66RRSPXX9
Limit 25 participants. To register, please call the San Tan Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 7 with your name, phone number, and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please call the Nature Center ASAP so we may contact those on the waiting list. Registration for this program will close on 06/11/26.
PLEASE NOTE: Outdoor summer programs may be canceled on short notice due to severe weather, including extreme heat events. The Maricopa County Parks website (www.maricopa.gov/parks) is the most accurate resource for verifying the program’s current status. Please check the program listing online or call the Nature Center before coming to the park.