Walk on the Wild
Side
Explore Gilbert’s urban oasis, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, through hiking, biking, fishing, stargazing, and more.
ocated just east of the Southeast Regional Library, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is an oasis within the town of Gilbert with seven ponds and vegetation ranging from marshland to desert. You’ll discover native plants and wildlife as you hike the more than 4.5 miles of trails through the 110-acre preserve, but there’s more to see and do here than just that. The preserve features an urban lake where you can fish, an observatory that hosts stargazing events, fun play areas for kids, and more.
he Riparian Preserve is part of Water Ranch and is the result of the town’s 1986 commitment to combine water resource management with wildlife habitat preservation, education, and outdoor recreation.
Visitors usually explore the preserve’s dog-friendly trails, which are relatively flat and in part are shared with runners, bikers, and horseback riders. Near the parking lot and urban fishing lake, paved trails make it easy for families with strollers and those with difficulties walking to get close to nature. As you go further into the preserve, the pavement gives way to crushed rock. Benches along the trails throughout the preserve offer a place to enjoy nature or rest your legs. Keep an eye peeled for interpretive education panels on the vegetation and wildlife.
Whether you’re a wildlife photographer or interested in making family memories, keep your camera handy. The preserve often serves as a backdrop for family, engagement, graduation, and other milestone photoshoots. Pose on a bench in front of a creek, on wavy, decorative walls near the parking lot, or on a trail surrounded by cacti and palo verde trees.
Because each of the seven aquifer recharge basins that serve as the preserve’s ponds are kept at different water levels, they attract a variety of wildlife, from turtles and rabbits to roadrunners and ducks. Viewing blinds near the water allow you to glimpse some of them, but you can also see waterfowl from the preserve’s floating boardwalk on the fishing lake. For the best chance to see wildlife, though, head further into the preserve.
early 300 species of birds have been identified throughout the Riparian Preserve, which the National Audubon Society has designated an Important Bird Area. Can’t tell a spotted sandpiper from a cactus wren? The Desert Rivers Audubon offers free, family-friendly bird walks every third Saturday of the month, October through March, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. They’ll even loan binoculars to participants that don’t bring their own.
Young birding enthusiasts seven to 13-years-old can come at 7:30 a.m. on select bird walk mornings for the Early Birds program that allows them extra time searching for birds with their peers. Parents and grandparents can tag along as well. Additionally, on bird walk mornings, local wildlife rehabilitation center, Liberty Wildlife, brings live hawks and owls to the preserve’s ramada for an up-close look.
Other educational areas in the preserve include an ethnobotanical garden, dino dig site for kids, and a hilltop outdoor classroom. Check the preserve’s calendar for nature hikes and similar activities. With reservations, the preserve can also provide group lessons on conservation, ecology, water, plants, and wildlife, and it hosts youth group tours October through April, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
The preserve’s urban fishing lake is another draw. Stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, it contains rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sunfish, and farm-raised channel catfish. Although you’ll have to catch and release the bass and sunfish, you can keep the trout, catfish, and any other species of fish you hook.
Note that fishing is strictly prohibited anywhere other than the preserve’s urban fishing lake since the basins, ponds, and waterways are not stocked. Fish in these areas are naturally occurring and part of a delicate ecosystem. Plus, you can only fish using single barless hooks in the lake to protect the waterfowl.
he Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch also boasts the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory. Opened in 2006 and managed by the East Valley Astronomy Club, the observatory houses a solar telescope and a 16-inch Meade telescope controlled by computer software for nighttime viewing. Come on Saturday evenings, from sunset until 9:30 p.m., to see stars, planets, and other celestial phenomena—weather permitting. The cost is free, although donations of $5 per family or $3 per adult are encouraged. Private viewings are also available Sunday through Thursday by reservation for a minimum $40 donation.
In addition to these facilities, the preserve also has three overnight campsites, two small reservable ramadas, a playground, and an information kiosk. On the preserve’s south side, you can access the Western Powerline Trail, which connects to Freestone Park and Gilbert’s Heritage District. Perfect for walking, jogging, or biking, it makes a great jumping-off point to discovering Gilbert.
