It’s easy to plan a nature and wildlife Scottsdale sightseeing journey! The city is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert and rugged mountains. Just a glimpse out the windows of your vacation rental and you’ll be enjoying the beautiful scenery. Here are a few suggestions to get closer.
Hit the Trails
Hike along one of the many dusty desert trails in one of the area preserves and you’ll find plenty of wildlife in Scottsdale AZ, and amazing desert scenery. Snakes and lizards (including cool Gila monsters) love to sun themselves on the rocks and boulders, and you may see jackrabbits, coyotes, prairie dogs, or the occasional bobcats you hike. The Phoenix Mountain Preserve and McDowell Sonoran Preserve are two great places to start, as both offer many trails that wind through cacti and boulders and up mountain peaks for glorious panoramic views.
Take a Tour or Enjoy an Educational Program
Hike with Hawks at Sonoran Desert Falconry! This non-profit is dedicated to educating the public about local raptors and the Sonoran Desert. See hawks, owls, roadrunners and more! Take a guided tour or stay for their program on raptors.
Another non-profit, the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, rescues and rehabilitates local area wildlife, and they offer permanent sanctuary to any animals that can’t be released back into the wild. Currently, the center has black bears, bobcats, coati, coyotes, Mexican gray wolves, and owls among other animals. Tour the facility or watch one of their programs.
Other Alternatives for Scottsdale Sightseeing
And now for something completely different -Tres Rios Wetlands! This City of Phoenix environmental project is restoring vital wetlands habitat along the Salt River. Cute burrowing owls, pelicans, American kestrels, bald eagles, coyotes, bobcats, and beavers are just a few of the inhabitants here. This cool project reclaims water from the wastewater treatment plant, then pumps it over the wetlands where it is filtered naturally and enjoyed by its new inhabitants.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Phoenix Zoo. What better way to observe and learn about wild animals than in a zoo? The Phoenix Zoo has local wildlife (coyotes and bobcats, ringtail cats, golden eagles, and Mexican gray wolves) as well as many endangered species from around the globe, including parrots, toucans, zebras, African lions, orangutans, and jaguars.
Stay at Home
You can see a lot of our local area wildlife in Scottsdale AZ just by staying in your vacation rental. The city is surrounded by the desert, so it’s not uncommon to see coyotes or bobcats wandering through the streets. Set out a shallow dish out by your rental’s pool and sit back. Soon, birds and other critters will be visiting.
Let us help you find the perfect vacation rental on the edge of the Sonoran Desert, where you can be steps away from trailheads. Give us a call today to get started on your wildlife and nature sightseeing journey to Scottsdale!