Sedona Wetlands Preserve

 SEDONA WETLANDS PRESERVE

Dedicated on September 27, 2013, the 27-acre Sedona Wetland Preserve is a prime destination for wildlife viewing hikes.

It's located halfway between Sedona and Cottonwood along State Route 89A and features six ponds filled with reclaimed wastewater surrounded by a mass of diverse native vegetation that attracts myriad waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, amphibians and small mammals.

A mile-long trail traces the perimeter of the preserve. 

The wide, flat path is outfitted with benches and educational signs. 

Two observations decks overlook open waters where a variety of ducks form feathery flotillas in the reflections of distant mountains and Sedona's red rock formations.

The Northern Arizona Audubon Society conducts expert-led bird watching field trips to this spot, but of you're visiting solo, your best chances to observe the most wildlife activity are during the early morning and late afternoon hours.

LENGTH: 1.1-mile 

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 3,772 - 3,978 feet

HOURS: dawn to dusk daily

FACILITIES: shaded picnic tables, restroom

PETS: dogs are allowed but must be always kept on leash and kept of the water

GETTING THERE:

19655 SR89A, Sedona

From the SR179/89A traffic circle in uptown Sedona, go 8 miles west on 80A to the Wastewater Treatment Plant near mile post 366.  Turn right and follow the signs to the parking area.

Sedona Wetlands Preserve:

www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/wastewater/wetlands-preserve

Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience:

www.azwatchwildlife.com/sedona-wetlands-preserve

Northern Arizona Audubon Society:

www.northernarizonaaudubon.org/Sedona-Wetlands-Preserve

BUBBLING PONDS PRESERVE

BUBBLING PONDS PRESERVE

Blackhawk Trail at Bubbling Ponds Preserve

Hikers who enjoy wildlife viewing will have a heyday at the Bubbling Ponds Preserve in Cornville. Cradled among desert hills, wineries and dewy green zones along Oak Creek, the site has two formal trails that loop among the property’s rare and varied habitats. The flat, soft paths pass through mesquite forests, meadows, cattail wetlands, a warm water hatchery for raising native fish and a shady riparian corridor. Informational signs, viewing benches and observation decks help maximize the visitor experience.

Lower Oak Creek Important Bird Area

Because of its reliable water and favorable nesting niches, the property is a sanctuary for resident and migratory birds, reptiles and mammals including several threatened species. Hikers are practically guaranteed sightings of Great blue herons, Red-winged blackbirds and many common species of waterfowl. With luck, you might also spot a more elusive Snowy Egret, Vermillion Flycatcher or river otter flitting among reeds and willows. In addition to the two main trails, the adjacent Lower Oak Creek Important Bird Area and Page Spring Fish Hatchery offer more miles of wildlife-rich exploratory hiking.

Mesquite forest

Dedicated in May 2016, the preserve is a joint effort between the Arizona Game & Fish Department that owns the property and Northern Arizona Audubon Society which funds site improvements and trail maintenance through private donations. Ongoing Audubon volunteer projects work to eradicate invasive plants and protect sensitive ecosystems while providing public education events and recreational opportunities.

Hatchery ponds for native fish species

LENGTH: 2.3 miles

Black Hawk Trail: 1.8 miles

Willow Point Loop: 0.5 mile

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 3328' - 3492'

HOURS: open daily dawn to dusk

GETTING THERE:

From Interstate 17 near Cornville, take the McGuireville exit 293, go 8 miles west on Cornville Road, turn right onto Page Springs Road and continue 4.8 miles to the entrance on the left. 

An osprey glides above the ponds

INFO: Northern Arizona Audubon Society

http://northernarizonaaudubon.org/NAAS/bubbling-ponds-preserve/

Arizona Game & Fish

Coconino National Forest, 1970 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325

https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/hatcheries/bubblingponds/

PAGE SPRINGS HATCHERY NATURE TRAILS

PAGE SPRINGS HATCHERY NATURE TRAILS

Cornville

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

LENGTH: 1.8 miles

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

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hatcheries_page_springs.shtml

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