Hassayampa River Preserve, Natural preserve along Hassayampa River in Wickenburg, Arizona
Hassayampa River Preserve encompasses a section of river that surfaces above ground, creating a water-rich environment surrounded by the Sonoran Desert. The area features multiple trails that wind through different habitats and connect various viewing points along the waterway.
The Nature Conservancy managed this land independently until 2017, when Maricopa County Parks joined as co-owner to strengthen conservation efforts. This partnership expanded resources and expertise for long-term habitat protection.
The preserve serves as a gathering space where visitors discover riparian ecosystems through guided programs and marked trails along the riverbanks. The pathways reveal how local plants and animals depend on this flowing water in an otherwise dry landscape.
The preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday with seasonal hours that shift between summer and winter schedules. Trails are well-marked and accessible to visitors of different fitness levels, with the river area remaining available year-round.
The Hassayampa River flows underground for about 100 km through the desert before emerging permanently at the surface within this preserve. This natural phenomenon makes the location a rare example of visible flowing water in an otherwise completely dry region.
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