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PAGE SPRINGS HATCHERY NATURE TRAILS
Cornville
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| South trail along Oak Creek |
Finding a suitable place to
hike with young kids can be a challenge. However, there are plenty of
trails that cater to a child's ticklish blend of boundless curiosity
and brief attention span. When asked for recommendations, I point
parents to short, easy paths that have plenty of interesting
distractions and a big bang reward at the end. One such destination
involves a hike with the fishes. Page Springs Hatchery in Cornville shares
forested acres with the wildlife rich, Lower Oak Creek Important Bird
Area. The site's trail system consists of connected north and south
loops. For hiking with tykes, the south loop is the most
entertaining. The mile-plus maze of paths offer the best opportunity
for critter sightings and has viewing decks, benches in cozy alcoves,
picnic tables and signs identifying native plants. Part of the trail
network meanders near the creek through shady groves of
cottonwoods, red willows and wild roses entangled with wild Canyon
grape vines. The area's unique mix of climate, soil and slope is
ideal for growing both wild and cultivated grapes. You can witness
this first hand from a trail side bench wrapped in the tendrils of
feral vines that overlooks the contrasting geometric order of a
hillside vineyard.
 |
| Wild Canyon grape |
The promised big bang reward
at trail's end is two-fold. For the little ones, there's a
self-guided stroll through the hatchery raceways where more than
700,000 trout are raised annually for stocking in Arizona lakes and
streams. Although the hatchery pools are "hands off", just
a few steps away, you can have an interactive experience at the
site's Show Pond where fish food can be purchased for 25 cents and
tossed into the water. The resultant feeding frenzy is a real
kid-pleaser. For tippling adult trekkers, the surrounding area is
home to several wineries (Javelina Leap, Page Springs Cellars) with
tasting rooms. After all the excitement of the day, perhaps mommy
could use a little splash of Merlot.
 |
| Hatchery Show Pond |
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 3,450'
– 3,495'
PETS: leashed pets are allowed
HOURS: Visitor center: 7
a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
South trails are open dawn to dusk daily.
FACILITIES: restrooms
GETTING THERE:
 |
| Wild and cultivated grapes alike thrive in the area |
From Interstate 17 north of Camp Verde,
take the McGuireville exit 293 (County Road 30), go 8 miles west
toward Cornville and turn right onto Page Springs Road (County Road
50). Follow Page Springs Road 4 miles to the hatchery entrance on the
left.
INFO:
Arizona Game & Fish
Department, 928-634-4805
MORE PHOTOS:
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