Spring is at our doorstep here in the Valley, and we’re especially thrilled as we look forward to the northeast Valley to come into bloom. Outdoor activities and things to do in the Phoenix area are soon to be abounding!  What’s great is that the scenic and vibrant Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell region is home to one of Phoenix’s best hiking and outdoor spots, McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Come on over and see it for yourself!

McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a Sonoran Desert jewel, rising to 3,000 feet along the western boundary and spanning 21,099 acres in the northeast Valley.  Sheltered in the lower Verde River basin, visitors can enjoy over 50 miles of multiuse trails, desert wildlife and spectacular plant life. The park also boasts stunning views of surrounding mountain ranges, which will  wow any outdoor enthusiast.

Get your hiking boots out and your hydration packs ready as the park has a full program schedule of activities for all to enjoy. For hiking enthusiasts, Thursday morning fitness hikes offered every week throughout February and March promise to keep up your cardio levels.  The hikes begin at 8:00am and generally last from 1 to 1.5 hours.

Specifically in February, don’t miss the fun things to do at the park such as bird watching, medicinal plant walks, and more.  On Thursday, February 17, the Adults Only Valentine’s Full Moon Hike (16 years and up) will start at 7:00pm, followed by the Family Friendly Full Moon Hike the next day, February 18^th at 6:00pm.  Each hike is three miles and lasts about 2 hours. Experience the desert lit solely by moonlight!

Also in February are several desert wildlife and botanical experiences such as the Wildflower Photography for Newbies activity (on both Feb. 19 & 26 at 11:00am) and the Desert Wildflower Walks on February 25 at 11:00am. An especially fun thing to do in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area is the Reptile and Live Animal Feeding at the park’s Visitors Center held on February 26 at 1:00pm. Season visitors and local residents alike enjoy (and are awed by!) the live feeding of snakes, tarantulas and scorpions in the air-conditioned center! And if you’re not quite able to stomach the live feedings, stop in to the tortoise habitat, which is expected to show tortoises emerging from hibernation this March!

For more information on the fun outdoor things to do in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas, visit the Maricopa County Parks and Rec website here!