Volunteers Guide

The Hassayampa River Preserve consists of approximately 711 acres along the Hassayampa River, just south of Wickenburg, Arizona. The Preserve was started by The Nature Conservancy in 1987, but as of 2017, is now managed by the Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department. The Preserve has about 3 miles of hiking trails, abundant wildlife, historic buildings, and lush riparian vegetation. Staff and volunteers offer guided walks, presentations, and other public programs each month. Pets, horses, and off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are NOT allowed on the trails, in order to help protect wildlife and ecosystem health. Most of the trails are fairly flat and in 0.5-mile loops, with the exception of the short, but steep, spur trail up to Lykes Lookout, which gives a scenic view of the river corridor from a desert hill. Benches are interspersed along all of the trails. The Palm Lake loop trail is considered “barrier-free”, so navigable by wheelchair and stroller. Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are located off of the parking lot and also feature a water bottle refilling station and water fountains on its backside. Overflow parking can accommodate larger buses and trailers, with room to turn around.